(to BRABANTIO)
My life upon her faith! (to IAGO)
Honest Iago,
My Desdemona must I leave to thee:
Come, Desdemona; I have but an hour
Of love, of worldly matters and direction,
To spend with thee.
Exit ALL, except for IAGO, stage right.
IAGO (moves downstage center; addresses audience)
I hate the Moor;
And it is thought abroad, that ’twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not if’t be true;
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety.
Cassio’s a proper man: let me see now;
After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear
That he is too familiar with his wife:
I have’t; it is engender’d: hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.
Exit IAGO stage right.
Cyprus. A hall in the castle.
Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.
NARRATOR
We are now in Cyprus. Iago persuades Cassio to
drink too much, which is part of Iago’s devious plan
of action.
Exit NARRATOR stage left.
Enter OTHELLO and DESDEMONA from stage rear. Enter CASSIO from stage right.
OTHELLO (to CASSIO)
Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night:
Good night.
Exit OTHELLO and DESDEMONA stage rear.
Enter IAGO from stage right, carrying a flask.
CASSIO
Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.
IAGO
Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine; to the
health of black Othello.
CASSIO
Not to-night, good Iago: I have very poor and
unhappy brains for drinking.
IAGO
What, man! ’Tis a night of revels: the gallants
desire it.
CASSIO
I’ll do’t; but it dislikes me.
IAGO (steps downstage; addresses audience)
If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense
As my young mistress’ dog.
Enter CASSIO, RODERIGO, MONTANO, and SOLDIERS from stage right, holding goblets.
CASSIO
To the health of our general!
ALL drink. CASSIO drinks quickly and refills his cup.
MONTANO
I am for it, lieutenant; and I’ll do you justice.
IAGO
O sweet England!
ALL (singing)
And let me the cannikin clink, clink
And let me the cannikin clink.
A soldier’s a man,
O man’s life’s but a span,
Why, then let a soldier drink
Why, then let a soldier drink!
IAGO
Some wine, ho!
CASSIO (pours more wine for himself)
Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.
Do not think, gentlemen. I am drunk: this is my
ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left:
I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and
speak well enough.
Exit CASSIO stage left.
IAGO (aside, to RODERIGO
How now, Roderigo!
I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.
Exit RODERIGO stage left.
RODERIGO (from offstage)
Help! Help!
Enter RODERIGO, chased by CASSIO.
