1

OTHELLO SCRIPT

Meeting of Roderigo and Iago in the streets of Rome (Venice)

Scene 1

One fine day Roderigo and Iago were roaming in streets of Rome

Iago: (an aspirant to a high rank in the army

Roderigo: (a civilian, his friend)

Narrator: Both of them greeted each other and started talking about the promotions that
have taken place in the army.

Roderigo: How come, Iago? You did not know about the promotions .You told me, you held
Othello in your extreme hate. Is your dislike so strong?

Iago (speaking sarcastically): I hate Cassio ? Who is he? One Michael Cassio-a great
mathematician from Florentine. Shouting out of anguish- promoted as the Liuetenant .One
who is incapable in the practicalities of warfare, he may just be stuffed with bookish
knowledge. Oh , a mere prattle , without practice is all chivalry is about.

…. Cassio has become a lieutenant ,and I, who is deserving , have to calm myself with
being [Link] curse the Moor. (spitting)

Roderigo: (reacting sharply) I would rather be his hangs man than is his first assistant by
heavens.

Iago: Why, there’s no remedy; there is curse of service

Heaven is my judge, not I for love, nor for duty stand.

Roderigo: Call up her father and arouse him. Let’s at this instance inform him. Nag him
incessantly about the whereabout of his daughter so much that his peace of mind is lost
and all delights in his life gets poisoned. Othello enjoys a privilege position still the
vexation would steal the colours of his happiness.

Roderigo: Call up her father; and proclaim him in the streets.

Brabantio, Ho, Brabantio Ho!( Both of them calling out Loudly)

Iago:Llook at your daughter and your house thieves! Thieves!

 2

Scene 2

Brabantio appears at the window above

Brabantio: What is the reasons for these terrible summons?

Roderigo:Is all your family within?

Brabantio: What’s the matter there? Who are you?

Roderigo: My name is Roderigo.

Iago: You’re robbed sir! Now, you should put on you gown with shame .you’ve lost half of
your soul, that which you held most dear to your heart. A black lamb is scouling your white
eve.

Roderigo: your fair daughter is transported to the lascivicous moor .look for her in your
house or her chamber. Let loose on me the justice of the state for deluding you.

Brabantio: What, have lost your wits? What you tell me of robbing? This is Venice and my
house is not a scattered farm.

Iago: Your daughter, Desdemona and the moor both are indulging in the activities beyond
their decorum.

Brabantio: Your are a villain! (all his staff awakens. Hustle and bustle all around torches
were on and employs gathered.)

Iago: Farewell, for I must leave you . I must not be produced against the moor. He is
embarked for Cyprus and I must be with him.

(Exits)

Enter brabantio with servants and lanterns

Brabantio: Oh no! It’s true. She is gone. Now Roderigo where did you see her? Was she
with the moor? Are they married? O unhappy girl? I never thought Desdemona could ever
cheat me? What did she say to you? Are they married? Do you think so?

Roderigo: Truly. I think they are.

Brabantio: Where can we catch hold of them? “O heavens” How did she get out? Fathers
from henceforth don’t trust your daughter conduct.
 3

Brabantio: Get weapons! And raise some special armed men. Special officers of the night.
Carry on Roderigo, I need your help. I thank you for your efforts.

(Enter Iago and Othello)

Narrator: Meanwhile, Iago joins Othello and informs him about the latest happenings that
Desdemona’s father was aware of his emotional attachment.

Iago: Be assured, her father may cause physical harm to you. Look, their comes her father.

Othello: the services I have done will pacify his grievances.

(Enter cassio and officer with lanterns)

Othello: Its Cassio my lieutenant. What news you have?

Cassio: (Othello greets him) Duke wants your presence in the court urgently.

Othello: Oh, what can be the matter?Do you know something?

Cassio: It is something from Cyprus. But, here comes another troop.

Iago: It is Brabantio – with some bad intentions.

(Enter Brabantio, Roderigo and servants with lanterns and swords)

Narrator :Brabantio shouting and creating a noise to arrest the moor. Their daggers were
drawn.

Brabantio: Bring down that thief. O you foul thief where have you stowed my daughter!
You will soon meet your fate for your heinous actions. She has been hopelessly bound by
the chains of evil magic.

Othello: Peace! Peace! Peace!

Brabantio: arrest him.

Othello: I forbid you all from obeying his words. Where do you want me to go and answer
this?

Brabantio: to prison.

Othello: But, how then the Duke be [Link] messengers are here to bring me to
him?
 4

Officer 1: sir, it’s true. The duke’s in cournel. Let’s go earnestly.

Scene –4

(A Councils Chamber, the Duke and the Senator sitting at the table)

Senator 1: (holding paper). These reports confirms that a Turkish fleet is on arrival and
leading toward Cyprus.

Here comes Brabantio and the Moor(Entering Othello, Brabantio, Roderigo, Iago, and
Officers)

Duke: Othello, we must employ you against our general enemy.

(To Brabantio) welcome sir- I did not see you .

Brabantio: pardon, my own grief at this instance holds me and torture me beyond
reckoning.

Duke: Why, what’s the matter?

Senators: Dead (together)

Brabantio: she is stolen from me and corrupted by spells and medicines and witch craft!
Duke : Who can he be ? One Who is involved in these foul proceedings deprived you of
her would not be spared . You shall yourself device the worst judgement possible for such
a fiend.

Brabantio: Humbly I thank your grace .He is the man ! This moor .

Senators : we are sorry for it .

Duke: what can you say to this Othello?

Othello: oh! Nothing . its true that I have married his daughter and I have offended the
senator Brabantio . I feel disgraced for pleading for myself when I feel that I have not
commited any sin .

Brabantio: oh ! she was tender, obedient and docile a dame of perfect virtues and heart .
how could she fall in love with what she feared to look on is utterly unbelievable . I vouch
again that with some powerful mixtures , that have mesmerizing effect over the blood and
soul, he was rot upon her.
 5

Duke: to vouch there is no proof. Such flimsy words cannot establish wrong against the
general.

Othello: I do beseech you to call Desdemona and let her speak about me about me before
her father and this council. If you find me guilty then the trust bestrouted upon me and
the office of respect that I hold should not only be taken away but also your sentence even
fall upon my life.

Duke: (impressed by his words) Fetch Desdemona

Senator : Here comes the lady

Duke :come the gentle mistress . can you announce before this noble gathering ,whom do
you most owe your allegiance .

Desdemona: My noble father accept my apologies but I do at this moment owe half my
allegiance to you for my life and like my mother who showed her trust and faithfulness
towards you , I must profess to the moor my lord henceforth .

Narrator: The duke in earnest requested Brabantio to take up this mangled matter most
sportily and in best spirits.

Duke: Othello ,the defense of the place is best known to you and the entire senate feels
sure of victory .you must therefore advance at once to this most stubborn and boisterous
expedition>

Othello: Yes , my lord I most humbly submit to the wishes of the senate and readily
undertake this war against the Turks and seek a fit shelter for my wife in Venice.

Duke : let her be at her father’s house if you please.

Desdemona: No, I cannot my dear lord. I married him to line with him wherever he goes .
If he goes to the war I am left behind , let me go with him.

Narrator: at this juncture , Othello immediately left for Cyprus . there after iago ,whom
Othello declares to be a man of trust and honestly and assigns him the responsibility of his
wife to reach safely Cyprus .

Exit duke , senators , officers , Desdemona and Othello

SCENE 5
 6

The two scheming minds of Roderigo and Iago, one because of unfed ambition and the
other of his tormented love started intriguing against Othello. Their foul minds called for
the sweet sounds of revenge . Meanwhile Othello and his fleet are coming back as Michael
Cassio, lieutenant to Othello is coming back as the Turkish are wrecked in storm.

Montano : Ah! Is this true?

Cassio: yes , we have steered the path of victory . Oh! At present pray heavens to protect
Othello against turbulent storm, for I have lost him in a dangerous sea.

Gentleman 1: assail! Assail! Assail!

Cassio : Gentlemen, Just find out who’s arrived .

(exits gentleman 2)

Montano :But lieutenant is your General married ?

Cassio : He has wedded a maid who possesses as most exquisite virtues and her
enchanting has earned the wild fame in the land.

(re enters second gentleman )

( enter Desdemona , Emilia , Iago and Roderigo )

Narrator : (just then the sound of trumpet pierced)

Hail Othello ! all hail Othello

(all the characters welcome Othello and exchange greeting)

Then the sight of Desdemona made Othello leap with joy

Desdemona : Oh, my dear Othello!

Othello : Oh my fair inspiration . I am highly satisfied on seeing you before me. If every
tempest follows such elysian calms, may the winds blow to the utmost .

Desdemona: May heavens forbid! Only pray that our love and happiness should increase
day by day.

Othello: Amen! (Kisses his sweet wife)

Come lets go to the castle

 7

(exeunt all but Iago and lieutenant)

Narrator : Iago could not tolerate their pleasant reunion

Iago : Cassio is on duty tonight . But, do you know that he is in love with Desdemona

Roderigo : (jumps up with utter disbelief ): wh..at? with him ?

It is not possible .

Iago : Earlier she loved the moor with violent passion for his bragging but now her eyes
wander in search for something more pleasing ?

By virtue , of her breeding she requires someone young with charming personality . Now ,
she seeks a second choice who stands so likely as Cassio? A devilish behave as an
opportunist.

Roderigo : I cannot believe that she is blessed with such noble virtues.

Iago : Blessed my foot ! Did you not see her glide smoothly in Cassio’s palm.

Roderigo ; But , that was a mere courtesy.

Iago : This is lechery . Tonight you find some occasion to annoy Cassio . He is rash and may
strike at you, and out of that shall come the implanting of Cassio and a short journey to
your deserves.

Roderigo : I will do this (adieu)

Meet at the citadel.

Iago : that Cassio loves her that I can believe. I love her too, partly for revenge. I will put
the lust moor into a jealousy so strong that judgement can cure.

Scene 7

(farefare. enter Herald)

Herald: it is Othello’s pleasure to celebration the perdition of the Turkish fleet and of his
nuptial that every man put himself to triumph. Some to dance, some to make bonfire.
Heavier bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble Othello.

Scene 8 ( night at guard room , enter Othello , Desdemona and cassio)

 8

Othello : Good night , cassio . Let us be vigilant enough .

Cassio : Iago has directions of what to do .But his arrival will be vigilant.

Othello : Iago is most honest. Come, my dear love. (exeunt Othello and Desdemona )

Cassio : come Iago we must go to the watch .

Iago: not at this hour . It is not eleven o clock . I have some wine along with two gallantry
of Cyprus including Montano – lets raise a toast to black moor Othello .

Cassio : Not tonight , I’ve poor appetite of wine .

(Iago trying to conduce Cassio to drink more)

I’ve drank one cup, dare not test my weakness with any more pegs.(exit)

(enter Cassio , Montano and Gentlemen with tankards , singing)

All : (singing) and let me the cannikin , clink , clink

and let me the cannikin , clink;

a soldier’s man ;

a life but a span

Why , then a soldier drink !

Cassio : you must not think that I’m drunk. (Exit swaying)

Enter Roderigo :(off) help! Help!

Cassio : (striking him ) You rouge , you rascal.

Montano : Come you’re drunk

Cassio : Drunk (they fight)

Iago :(aside to Roderigo )go and revolt

(exit Roderigo )

Iago : help help help! ( a bell rings)

Who rings the bell the town will rise

 9

(Enter Othello).

Othello: This is my right hand and this is my left hand. I am not drunk now . I can stand
well enough and speak well enough .

(cassio goes out)

Iago : (to all) the manner in which he gets himself drunk – is absolutely opposite to his
virtues. I fear the blind trust Othello puts in him .

Montano : But is he often like this .

Iago: this routine is a prologue to his sleep (aside to Roderigo) go! Go!

(Exit Roderigo)

Iago : Actually ! It is great pity that the noble moor has such a hazardous subordinate on
such a sensitive post

Alas!It would be a honest action to inform this to moor.

Roderigo: (off) Help! Help!

(enter cassio driving in Roderigo with a sword in him ) (Striking him)

Montano : (Restraining him ). Nay , good lieutenant .

Cassio: a knave would teach me my duty ? I will beat the wretch into a pulp and stuff him
into bottle.

Montano : Come ,Come sir ! you are drunk .

Cassio : ha…. You said I’m drunk ! am I drunk
Iago : (signaling Roderigo ) Move out and create a noise . get the bells of the town ring and
let the entire town rise. And embarrass lieutenant .
(meanwhile the bell rings )
Othello : whose ringing the bells ?
Iago: hold on cassio ! in the name of god , hold yourself or the town will rise and you will
be ashamed forever.
Othello :What is the matter here?
 10

Montano: Good heavens ! I am bleeding and hurt to death.

Othello : Honest Iago ! you look dead with grieving. Speak, who began this ? I charge you,
tell me.

Tell me how did this fowl clash began. He that is proved guilty in this offence tough he be
like my twin brother shall loose favor with me . it is most hateful to create a quarrel at
night too and that too by protectors of safety.

Iago : I truly do not know .All were friends just a moment ago –cordial and gay . Then all of
a sudden, came here a fellow crying (pointing at Roderigo).And then Cassio entered with a
sword tilting at his opponent’s breast and soon , they are at blow and thrust as you
witnessed. i know no more on this matter as men sometimes forget their proper
demeanor like Cassio did . Yet surely , I do believe Cassio must have felt some humiliation
from the one who has already fled.

Montano: Iago tell the truth. Do not be influenced by the office or partiality.

Othello: I know , your love is trying to make the blame of Cassio lighter . Cassio , I love you,
but you will not remain my officer any longer.( Enter Desdemona and Emilia)

Desdemona: What’s the matter?

Othello: All’s well now.

(Exeunt some with Montano)

Iago just go round the town and pacify all those citizens who have been disturbed by this
nasty feud.

(All left except Cassio and Iago)

Narrator: Thereafter, Iago tried to comfort lamenting Cassio but his words were not
enough to heal his pain and Iago targeted to earn Cassio’s good will and blind trust.

Cassio: REPUTATION! REPUTATION! REPUTATION! I have lost everything, (crying) My

reputation, Iago!
 11

IAGO: (smiling behind him) As I am an honest man. I thought that you have been seriously
injured. there ways to recover loss .what man? cheer up. He has cast you in his angry
mood and if you will plead him at a better offing he would be benevolent to you.

CASSIO: no I’m a drunkard, devil. If I ask him for my place again Othello shall tell me I am a
drunkard.

IAGO: Our general’s wife is now the general. Othello has completely devoted himself to
her graces. Go, convince her of your honesty and entreat her to reunite the bonds.

CASSIO: Good, in the morning request virtuous Desdemona to take my cause to Othello.

Good night, honest Iago (exit).

IAGO: Who says I am not a true villain, when I am value to give good advice But ,when she
will plead for Cassio. Before that I will pour the pestilence of doubt and faithlessness in his
ears. That she repeals him for his body’s lust. Thus from her goodness , I will enmesh them
all.

(enter Roderigo)

RODERIGO: Tonight I have been exceedingly well cudgel’d and my money is almost spent. I
must return to Venice.

IAGO: Do not be so impulsive. Content yourself, Cassio had beaten you. By that small
incident see we have derived so much against him.

Tomorrow there will be a lot of action.

(while walking on streets) (Roderigo exits)

I must do two things on earnest basis. Firstly, make my wife move for Cassio to her
mistress, Desdemona and I must start poisoning the mind of Othello against the virtues
and fidelity of his wife.

(exeunt)

SCENE 8
 12

(THE CASTLE GARDEN, ENTER EMILIA MEETING CASSIO)

EMILIA: Good morning, lieutenant. I am sorry for what happened, but all will surely be
well.

CASSIO: I beseech you, Emilia. Do arrange my meeting with lady Desdemona.

EMILIA: Wait here, lieutenant, and I will bring her to you (exit)

(Enter Iago)

CASSIO: Oh, Iago! I have pleaded your wife to get me an access to Desdemona.

IAGO: here they come! Meanwhile, I will draw the moor out of the way.

(Enter Desdemona and Emilia)

DESDEMONA: (taking his hand) Do not doubt, Cassio. I will implore your ease and will not
rest till he complies. Your solicitor would rather die than give your suit away. Your case is
now my earnest concern.

EMILA: Madam, here comes my lord.

CASSIO: I will take my leave (exits hastily)

IAGO: Ha! I did not like this.

Othello: Was it not Cassio who has just parted from my wife?

Iago: I cannot accept that he could sneak away like someone extremely guilty.

OTHELLO: was that Cassio, yes!

DESDEMONA: My good lord, I plead before you on his behalf. If I have any grace and
power to influence you, then do accept his apologies. I believe in his honesty and know
that he is someone who truly loves you. I pray you. Call him back.

OTHELLO: Not now sweet Desdemona.

DESDEMONA:I pray you , when should he meet you, should he come tomorrow or tonight,
on Tuesday noon or night or on Wednesday morning? What I ask you is a drop in the
ocean. Should I ever deny you? No farewell my lord.
 13

(Exit Desdemona and Emilia)

IAGO: Did Michael Cassio know about your love when you wooed her?

OTHELLO: Why do you ask so? He knew all our adventures from first to last. Oh yes! He
was the messenger between us during our courtship. He sincerely followed his role.

IAGO: indeed…………

OTHELLO: (gets restless) What do you mean by that. Is he not honest?

IAGO: Honest, honest my lord ..

Othello: honest ya honest! You do mean something more. I heard you say, you did not like
it when Cassio left my wife. What did you not like?

OTHELLO: If you love me at all , tell me what all went in your mind . Don’t hide your
thoughts from me.

IAGO: My lord you know my heart is in your custody.

OTHELLO: Express your worst of thoughts in worst manner.

IAGO: Men should be what they appear. For those who pretend are not good men. I think
Cassio appears to be an honest man.

OTHELLO: (jumped up with anxiety)

NARRATOR: Now Othello had succumbed to Iago’s game plan and his contriving mind.

IAGO: I do beseech you, what I am about to say might be a notorious guess. So I request
you to act with wisdom and you will not trouble yourself…”

OTHELLO: Oh heaven and earth! What do you mean?

IAGO: Beware of jealousy , that green eyed monster. It is customary in Venice to let God
see the evil deeds of wives but not their husbands.

OTHELLO: What are you saying?

IAGO: She did deceive her father by marrying you and when she seemed to fear your
looks, she loved them the most.

OTHELLO: (SADNESS CLOUDING HIS FACE) “Do you think so?”

 14

IAGO: I think you are moved, a little. I did not aim to hurt you. Even Cassio is my worthy
friend.

OTHELLO: No, not much moved. But I do think Desdemona is honest. (meanwhile Iago
seeks permission to leave.)

IAGO: my lord I take my leave.(exits) I entreat you to leave it to time to unfold the truth-
and note the affinity between Cassio and Desdemona

OTHELLO: O lord! Why did I marry at all?

This honest creature undoubtedly sees and knows much more than he reveals.

(Othello is surrounded by many depressing thoughts. Enter Desdemona and Emilia)

DESDEMONA: The generous islanders invited by you are waiting for dinner, my lord

OTHELO: Oh! I forgot.

DESDIMONA: are you not feeling well?

OTHELLO: I am having severe headache.

DESDEMONA: let me bind it hard and you will be well within an hour.

(Producing a handkerchief)

OTHELLO: Your napkin: its too little(and pushes her hand away) Come I will go with you.

Narrator: In hurry, Desdemona fails to pick up the first token of love for which she had
promised moor that she would always treasure his first gift with care and never dispose.

(exeunt Desdemona and Othello)

(EMILIA ENTERS)

EMILIA (PICKING UP THE HANDKERCHIEF): This was the first token of remembrance from
Othello.

(ENTER IAGO)

EMILIA: What will you give me for this handkerchief?

Iago: (snatching it). How did you steal it?

 15

EMILIA: She dropped out it out of negligence.

IAGO: give it to me! I said give it me!

EMILIA: how would you use it?

IAGO: Get out of here.

(Exit Emilia)

IAGO: I would hide it in Cassio’s lodging and let Othello find it accidentally.

I’m sure trifles light as air are strong enough to strengthen the jealousy of the moor.

Yes! This action of mine would definitely fetch me something. The moor already fumes
with my poison.

NARRATOR: Othello was totally overwhelmed by those incredible and frivolous allegations
of Iago.

Othello: (enters drunk) I have not seen my wife kissing Cassio. O now farewell tranquil
mind (Othello cries aloud and took IAGO by throat) O villain! Be sure that you prove my
love a whore, give me proof or else you would wish you had a better been born a dog than
answer my anger. Give me a reason that she is disloyal.

IAGO: I thank you for this lesson that to be direct and honest is not safe. From now, I will
not love any friend since love breeds such offence.

OTHELLO: (RELEASING HIM) : I think you are right and then you are not. I think my wife is
honest and think she is not. I will be satisfied with more conclusive proofs.

IAGO: Just because I love you, I will go on to save you. Sir , last night I lay with cassio for a
few wink of sleep and he was muttering “O sweet Desdemona , o sweet love” again and
again. Then he said “let us be careful, let us hide our love”, and kissed many times. “Cursed
fate gave you to the moor.”

OTHELLO: O monster.
 16

IAGO: sir, she may still be honest but have you ever noticed handkerchief in your wife’s
hand flavored with strawberries. I saw one such with cassio and I saw him wipe his beard
with it today.

OTHELLO: I gave her one such as a token of our first gift. If it is that.. It speaks against her
as an undisputed proof.

(Iago showing him handkerchief.) Oh no! My fond love is gone. Arise, blank vengeance
from the hell.

Iago: Have patience, perhaps your mind may change. I got this from Cassio’s bed.

Othello: never Iago, my thoughts will not change. Within 3 days Cassio must be dead and
from now onwards, you are my lieutenant.

(Before the castle, enter Emilia and Desdemona)

OTHELLO: How are you , sweet Desdemona?

Desdemona: Well, my lord.

Othello: Lend me your handkerchief.

Desdemona: (handing him another one)- Here my lord.

Othello: That which I gave you.

Desdemona: Right now I don’t have it.

Othello: That’s a mistake (angrily and loudly). To lose it or give it away was perdition

Desdemona: Why do you speak so shockingly and rash?

Othello: (angrily) Is it lost? Is it gone? Speak. Is it out of the way? Fetch it, let me see it.

Desdemona: This is a trick to divert your attention. I pray you meet Cassio.

Othello: The handkerchief (away)

(Exit Othello)

Emilia: Is not this man jealous?

 17

(Enter Iago and Cassio)

Iago: Go, and meet her. Only she can restore your love.

Cassio: (to Desdemona) Madam only by your means I may again get my master whom I
serve with honour.

DESDEMONA: I have spoken for you all my best and suffered from his displeasure.

Iago: What, my lord is angry? Let me find out, let me go and meet him.

(Exit)

Desdemona: Pray god, it must be state issues of Venice, but not jealousy. Oh lord, keep the
monster of jealousy away from his mind let me go and find him out.

(Exit Desdemona and Emilia)

Enter Blanca

CASSIO: Blanca! Sweet love! I was coming to your house.

Blanca: I was going to your lodging. Seven days and nights gone and I could not see you.

Cassio: (taking out handkerchief) I found it in my chamber. I liked the work on it. Go and
copy. Now, leave me, I expect the general to arrive.

(Exit Blanca)

(Enter Iago and Othello)

Iago: (while approaching Cassio on the way)

My lord, Cassio told me he has kissed Desdemona, they lay each other on the same bed.
They were in love with each other and she voluntarily gave that handkerchief to Cassio.

(Othello faints)

(Cassio looks at the fainting Othello and rushes)

 18

Cassio: What happened to the General?

Iago: Nothing, just a fit of Epilepsy .He must have fainted .You kindly withdraw yourself for
awhile.

(Wake up! My lord! My Lord! My Lord)

(Meanwhile Blanca comes running)

(Enter Cassio)

Blanca: Cassio, what do you man by giving me this handkerchief! Someone left it in your
chamber and you don’t know who?

Othello: (awakened. Looking at them) oh! Iago.

Iago: And did you see that handkerchief? Did you see how he prizes your wife? She gave
him your handkerchief and he has given it to his whore?

Othello: That woman let her and perish dammed tonight. For she shall not live. Get me
some poison tonight.

Iago: No, strangle her in the bed, she has contaminated.

Othello: Good, good. Justice demands it.

Iago: Leave Cassio to me. You shall hear more. I will carve his deadly fate.

Othello: Excellent

(A trumpet sound)

Iago: It’s Lodovico from Venice.

Lodovico: General, the senators of Venice greet you. (Giving him a letter)

Narrator: The letter stated that Othello had to go back to Venice while Cassio was deputed
to undertake the task of Cyprus. When Desdemona expressed her happiness to Lodovico,
Othello shouted.

Othello: o devil! Devil!

Desdemona: I have not deserved this.

 19

Lodovico: Is this the noble moor? Are his wits alright?

Desdemona: (stood there weeping)

Othello: Get away with your crocodile tears, away woman, out of my sight.

Desdemona: I’ll not stay to offend you.

Iago: He’s changed a lot?

Lodovico: What, strike his wife? Is it his use?

Iago: I can’t speak what I have seen and observed about it. (EXIT)

(Scene in a room in a castle. Othello and Emilia)

Emilia: Do not be so tough with my mistress. I’ve always been with her and never seen her
in objectionable situation, with Cassio.

Othello: Did she ever bend you away?

Emilia: No my Lord. I can put my soul at stake. (Meanwhile Desdemona enters and Othello
is furious)

Othello: Leave my room.

Desdemona: My Lord what is in your mind? I’m true, loyal and faithful wife.

Othello: Come swear it that you are honest. (Desdemona falls on her knees)

Desdemona: Heaven does know it.

Othello: Good heavens know that you are disloyal and deceiving.

Desdemona: To whom my Lord? With whom? How am I false? What sin have I committed?

Othello: Aren’t you a cunning whore of Venice that married Othello!

(Night at street. Enter Iago, Roderigo, and Cassio. Drunk Roderigo enters scampering.)

Roderigo: (disappointedly) You have not dealt with me justly. Your fake promises have only
exhausted my means. Desdemona does not have any soft corner for me.
 20

Iago: Will you listen to me, Roderigo?

Roderigo: No, I will not. Bring me my sword to kill that man.

(Cassio entering)

Iago: (aside) Whether he kills Cassio or Cassio kills him, at both ways I’m at profit. But,
Cassio must die or I’ll not live.

Cassio: So, I’ll kill you. (Drawing his sword and wounding Roderigo)

Roderigo: oh! I’m slain.

(Roderigo collapses. Meanwhile, Iago stabs him and kills him)

LAST SCENE (a bed chamber)

Othello: She will die or else or else she will betray more men (kissing her)

Desdemona: (waking) Who’s there? Othello? Will you come to bed?

Othello: Have you prayed tonight? If you think yourself responsible of any crime confess it,
solicit for it. I’ll not kill your unprepared spirit.

Desdemona: Talk you of killing me. I hope you’ll not kill me, yet I fear you.

Othello: Cassio confessed that you gave him my handkerchief.

Desdemona: I never loved Cassio, never gave him our token of love. Call him. How can he
say so?

Othello: No, now he is dead.

Desdemona: Then he has been betrayed and I’m undone.

Othello: You, strumpet! How dare you weep for him on my face? (Slapping her)

Desdemona: (falling on floor) You banish me, my lord, but don’t kill me. I shall prove it to
you that I’m innocent.

Emilia: (knocking the door violently. Shouting) My lord, my lord, what ho! Open the door.
 21

Othello: It’s too late! (Smothering her with her pillow)

Emilia: (knocking continued)

Othello: ‘Tis Emilia calling… Bye and bye! –She’s dead.

Emilia: Where is my mistress?

Desdemona: (Lying on the ground panting with breath) Oh, falsely, falsely murdered.

Emilia: Who has done this deed?

Othello: I killed her! She was a whore!

Emilia: Who told you so? You black devil. You’ve killed an angel.

Othello: It was your husband who proved her immoralities.

(Hearing the loud noise of Emilia Enter Iago, Montano and Gratiano)

Emilia: My husband! He lies completely. Oh thick headed dunce. You’ve been deceived.
(Running towards Iago pointing at Othello) He says you told him his wife was false.

Iago: Yes with Cassio

Emilia: I can’t believe this; my mistress lies here murdered because of your lies.

Iago: Stop it! Stop it! (Goes and stab Emilia and runs away)

Othello: (Rushing towards Emilia)

Emilia: My lord, it was me who gave the handkerchief to Iago and he misused his for his
personal games.

Othello: You villain I’ll not leave you!

Emilia: Moor, she was chaste, she loved you (dies)

Othello: Desdemona, my love, forgive me! We promised to live together and die together.
So here is your Othello coming after you. (Takes a sword and stabs himself)
22
23