DESDEMONA

Rest assured, good Cassio,  I will do all I can for you.

EMILIA

Please do, good madam. The situation has my husband troubled as if the problem were his own.

DESDEMONA

Oh, your husband's an honest fellow. Cassio, do not doubt that I will soon have you and my husband as close as you were before.

CASSIO

Generous madam, whatever happens to me, I'll always be your loyal servant.

DESDEMONA

Thank you. I know you mean that. You really do love my husband. You've known him for a long time, and you can be sure that he is only keeping his distance from you for political reasons.

CASSIO

Yes, but, my lady, I worry that he may keep this distance for so long—because it is easier to keep doing it, or because some accident or other makes it necessary—that he will forget my love and service to him while I am gone and someone else is in my place.

DESDEMONA

Don't worry about that. With Emilia here as my witness, I guarantee that you will have your place back as lieutenant. I assure you, when I promise to do something out of friendship, I deliver. My husband won't have a moment of rest because I'll keep him awake all night to talk his ear off about this. I'll lecture him until our bed feels like a school room and his table a confessional. I'll mention your case no matter what he's doing. So cheer up, Cassio. I'd rather die than fail on your behalf.

EMILIA

Madam, here comes my husband.

CASSIO

Madam, I'll leave now.

DESDEMONA

Why don't you stay here and hear me speak?

CASSIO

Madam, not now. I don't have a good feeling about this, and don't think it's the right time.

DESDEMONA

Well, it's up to you.

IAGO

Huh. I don't like the looks of that.

OTHELLO

What are you talking about?

IAGO

Nothing, my lord, unless—I don't know.

OTHELLO

Wasn't that Cassio who was just talking to my wife?

IAGO

Cassio, my lord? No, surely not. I can't imagine he would slink away looking so guilty after seeing you coming.

OTHELLO

I think it was him.

DESDEMONA

How are you, my husband? I have been talking here with a man who, sadly, you are displeased with.

OTHELLO

Who do you mean?

DESDEMONA

Your lieutenant, Cassio. My good husband, if I have any grace or power to persuade you, please accept his apology. I swear he truly loves you and made a mistake on accident, not on purpose, or else I can't judge an honest face. Please, call him back here.

OTHELLO

Was that him who just left?

DESDEMONA

Yes, that's right. And he was so humbled and troubled that now I feel sad for him. My love, call him back here.

OTHELLO

Not now, sweet Desdemona. Some other time.

OTHELLO

All the sooner because you asked, sweetheart.

DESDEMONA

So, will that be tonight at dinner?

OTHELLO

No, not tonight.

DESDEMONA

Tomorrow at dinner, then?

OTHELLO

I'm not eating dinner at home tomorrow. I'm meeting the captains at the castle.

DESDEMONA

Then do it tomorrow night, or Tuesday morning. Or Tuesday at noon, or Tuesday night, or even Wednesday morning. You name the time, but please sometime within the next three days. Truly, he regrets what he's done, and his error wasn't really that serious—except that, as they say, military discipline requires that you be most strict with the best soldiers—and should barely have even required a private scolding . When will Cassio come back? Tell me, Othello. If you asked me for something, I wouldn't just say no, or stand there hesitating. What do you say? Michael Cassio helped you when you were courting me, and whenever I criticized you he stood up for you. Why should it be so hard for him to get to talk with you? Trust me, I could do a lot—

OTHELLO

Please, don't talk anymore about this. Let Cassio come when he wants. I won't deny you what you want.

DESDEMONA

This isn't a great favor you're doing me. It's as if I'm trying to persuade you to put on gloves when it's cold out, or to eat healthy food, or to keep yourself warm, or to do anything that's good for you. No, when I have something to ask of you that will really test your love, it will be a difficult, serious thing, one that you wouldn't grant easily.

OTHELLO

I will never say no to you! All I ask of you right now is that you leave me alone for a bit.

DESDEMONA

And will I say no to you? No, I won't. Goodbye, my husband.

OTHELLO

Goodbye, my Desdemona. I'll come see you soon.

DESDEMONA

Emilia, come with me. Act however you want, Othello. Whatever you do, I'll be obedient to you.

OTHELLO

Oh, that crazy girl. But I'll be damned if don't love her! The world will end before I stop loving her.

IAGO

My noble lord—

OTHELLO

What is it, Iago?

IAGO

Did Michael Cassio know about your love for Desdemona when you were courting her?

OTHELLO

He did, from the very beginning. Why do you ask?

IAGO

Oh, no reason. I was just curious.

OTHELLO

Why were you curious, Iago?

IAGO

I didn't think he had met her.

OTHELLO

Oh, yes he knew her, and often carried messages between Desdemona and me.

IAGO

Really?

OTHELLO

What do you mean, "really?" Yes, really. You think something's strange about that? Isn't Cassio honest?

IAGO

Honest, my lord?

OTHELLO

Honest, yes, honest.

IAGO

My lord, for all I know.

OTHELLO

What do you think?

IAGO

Think, my lord?

OTHELLO

"Think, my lord?" Come on, you're repeating everything I say like a strange monster in your mind that you're afraid is to hideous to show. You're hinting at something. You just said earlier that you didn't like how Cassio left my wife's side. What about it didn't you like? And when I told you that Cassio advised me the whole time I was courting Desdemona, you said, "Oh really?" And you raised your eyebrows like you had some secret thought about it. If you care about me at all, tell me what you're thinking.

IAGO

My lord, you know I care about you.

OTHELLO

I think you do. And it's precisely because I know you are full of love and honesty and think carefully before you speak that I'm even more worried about the way you're hesitating. In some disloyal liar, it wouldn't mean anything, but in an honest man like you, these kinds of reactions are indications of thoughts that come from the heart which cannot be clouded by emotion.

IAGO

As far as Michael Cassio goes, I think I can swear that he is honest.

OTHELLO

I think so too.

IAGO

Men should be what they seem to be. And if they aren't, I wish they wouldn't pretend to be anything that they're not!

OTHELLO

Certainly, men should be what they seem to be.

IAGO

Well then, I think Cassio is an honest man.

OTHELLO

No, there's something more going on. Please, tell me what you're thinking to yourself, and speak even the worst thoughts you are thinking.

IAGO

My good lord, pardon me. I must obey your every order, but I don't have to do that which even slaves aren't obligated to do—divulge my thoughts. What if my thoughts are vile and untrue? After all, what palace is there that has never let a foul thing inside? Who has ever had a heart so pure that impure thoughts haven't held court with lawful thoughts?

OTHELLO

Iago, if you think that a friend of yours is in trouble but you don't say anything, then you are wronging your friend.

IAGO

Since I am maybe wrong in my guess—and I admit it's my nature to look into possible misdeeds and often I imagine wrongs that aren't really there—I beg you in your wisdom not to put too much stock in what I say, since I often wrongly imagine things. Don't make a big deal out of my smattering of uncertain observations. It would not be good for you, and it wouldn't be wise, honest, or manly of me to let you know my thoughts.

OTHELLO

What do you mean?

IAGO

A good reputation is the most precious jewel of a man's or a woman's soul, my dear lord. If someone steals money from me, it's not a big deal. It was mine, now it's his, and it's been held by thousands of others. But if someone steals my good reputation from me, then he really does make me truly poor, and steals something that doesn't even make him any richer.

OTHELLO

I want to know your thoughts.

IAGO

You cannot know, not even if you were squeezing my heart in your hand to make me tell you. And as long as I have my heart, I won't tell you.

OTHELLO

Ha!

IAGO

Oh, my lord, beware of jealousy! It is a green-eyed monster that mocks whoever it eats away at. A man who knows for sure that his wife is cheating on him lives in bliss, since he knows not to love his wife. But, oh, what torture it is to love but doubt your wife, suspect her of something but still love her.

OTHELLO

Oh, what misery!

IAGO

To be poor but content is actually to be quite rich. But you can have endless riches and still be as poor as anyone if you are always afraid of losing your riches. Good heaven, defend us all from jealousy!

OTHELLO

Why would say that? Do you think I would make jealousy my whole life, and with every change in the moon find new suspicions? No! To doubt once is to make up your mind. I'd rather turn into a goat than devote all my time to such overblown suspicions, like the sort of jealous man you're describing. It wouldn't make me jealous for you to say that my wife is pretty, eats well, enjoys the company of others, speaks her mind, sings, plays music, and dances. When a woman is virtuous, these traits are virtuous as well. And I will not worry or fear that she may be unfaithful because I am not very desirable. She knew who she was marrying. No, Iago, I won't doubt Desdemona until I see something, and if I doubt her I'll see if I can prove it. If I get proof, there's only one thing to do: get rid of either my love or my jealousy.

IAGO

I'm glad to hear this, because now I can show my love for you and fulfill my duty in a more frank manner. So, hear what I must tell you. I don't have any proof yet. But keep an eye on your wife, and watch her carefully with Cassio. Look at her like this: don't be too jealous or too trusting. I wouldn't want you to get taken advantage of because of your noble, kind nature. Look out. I know the people of my country well. Women of Venice let God see the sorts of exploits they wouldn't dare let their husbands see. Their conscience doesn't stop them from doing bad things, but only keeps them from letting their bad deeds be known.

OTHELLO

Do you think so?

IAGO

Desdemona deceived her father in marrying you, and she pretended to shake in fear at your looks when she actually loved them.

OTHELLO

Yes, she did.

IAGO

Well, there you have it, then. Even though she was a young woman, she was so good at lying that she made her father as blind as a tree to her plans. He even thought you'd used witchcraft on her. But I'm partially to blame for saying this. I beg your pardon for loving you too much.

OTHELLO

I am forever in your debt.

IAGO

I can see this has upset you a little.

OTHELLO

Not at all, not at all.

IAGO

Trust me, I worry it has. Please consider that what I am saying comes from my love for you. But I see you really are affected by what I've said. I only meant to warn you to be a little suspicious. I beg you not to make more out of this than you should. 

OTHELLO

I won't.

IAGO

If you do, my speech would have the very vile effects that I didn't want it to. Cassio is my deserving friend—my Lord, I see you're troubled.

OTHELLO

No, I'm not troubled. I think Desdemona is nothing but honest.

IAGO

May she be be honest for a long time. And that you will think she's honest for a long time. 

OTHELLO

And yet, one can act against one's nature—

IAGO

Yes, that's the point. At the risk of being too honest, it was against her nature not to like so many suitors of her own country, complexion, and social rank, since those who share such similarities are naturally drawn to each other. Ugh! You can practically smell a gross desire in excessive proportion and foul thoughts in such a person. But forgive me, I am talking generally and don't mean her in particular, although I do fear that she may return to her better judgment, prefer her own countrymen to you, and take back her love for you.

OTHELLO

Goodbye, goodbye. If you notice anything more, let me know. Have your wife look out, too. Leave me, Iago.

IAGO

My lord, I will leave now. [He starts to leave.]

OTHELLO

[To himself] Why did I marry? Without a doubt, this honest man has seen more than he lets on, and knows more—much more—than he is telling me.

IAGO

[Returning] My lord, I ask you not to worry about this anymore. Give it some time. It is right for Cassio to get his place as lieutenant back—for sure, he's very good at the job—but if you wait for a while you will get a better idea of what he's up to. Take note if your wife strongly insists that you reinstate him. That would mean a lot. In the meantime, just think that I'm being overly suspicious in my fears—and I have good reason to think I may be—and I beg you to consider Desdemona innocent.

OTHELLO

Don't worry about how I'll handle myself.

IAGO

Once again, goodbye.

OTHELLO

This man is very honest and knows human interactions very well. If I find proof that Desdemona is unfaithful, I'll let her go like I'm getting rid of a pet, even if the leash is my own heartstrings. Maybe since I am black and don't have the smooth conversational skills of gallant men, or maybe since I'm getting old—but no, none of that's important. She's gone, I am betrayed, and my only recourse must be to hate her. Oh, this is the curse of marriage, that we can have control over our delicate wives, but not their desires. I'd rather be a toad who survives off the mold in a dungeon than to share the thing I love with others. But that's what you get for being a powerful man, as this happens more often to noblemen than to commoners. It's an inescapable part of fate, like death. From the moment we're born we are fated to wear the horns. Look, here she comes.

If she is a liar, heaven has played a trick on itself. I won't believe it.

DESDEMONA

How are you, my dear Othello? The islanders you invited to dinner are waiting for you.

OTHELLO

My mistake.

DESDEMONA

Why do you speak so faintly? Are you okay?

OTHELLO

I have a headache, here by my forehead.

DESDEMONA

Well, that's from staying up too late. It will go away soon. Let me just tie this handkerchief tight around your head and it will feel better within an hour. [She pulls out a handkerchief]

OTHELLO

Your handkerchief is too small. Leave it alone.

Come on, I'll go inside with you. 

DESDEMONA

I am very sorry that you aren't feeling well.

EMILIA

[She picks up DESDEMONA's handkerchief] I am glad I have found this handkerchief. This was Desdemona's first gift from the Moor. My stubborn husband has asked me to steal it a hundred times, but she loves it so much (for Othello asked her never to lose it) that she always keeps it with her to kiss and talk to. I'll have the embroidered pattern copied and give it to Iago. God knows what he will do with it. God only knows. I certainly don't. I just like to make him happy.

IAGO

What's going on? What are you doing here alone?

EMILIA

Don't scold me. I have something for you.

IAGO

You have a thing for me? It is a common thing. . . 

EMILIA

What?

IAGO

. . . to have a foolish wife.

EMILIA

Oh, is that it? What will you give me now for the handkerchief itself?

IAGO

What handkerchief?

EMILIA

What handkerchief? The one the Moor first gave to Desdemona, the one you so often asked me to steal.

IAGO

You've stolen it from her?

EMILIA

No, she let it drop carelessly. And, since I happened to be here, I took the opportunity to pick it up. Look, here it is.

IAGO

That's a good girl, give it to me.

EMILIA

What will you do with it? Why have you been so eager for me to steal it?

IAGO

Why do you care?

EMILIA

If you don't have an important purpose for it, then give it back to me. Poor Desdemona, she'll be so upset when she realizes it's missing.

IAGO

Don't tell her what happened to it. I have a use for it. Go on, leave me alone.

I will leave this handkerchief in Cassio's room, and let him find it there. Unimportant, trifling matters count as strong evidence to the jealous. This may have significant consequences. The Moor is already being changed by my poisonous advice. Dangerous suspicion are like poisons that don't even taste very bad at first, but slowly act on the blood and burn the insides before long like unquenchable sulfur.

Just as I said. Look, here he comes. No exotic plant or herb, nor any sleeping medicine in the world, will return to you that sweet restful sleep you enjoyed just yesterday.

OTHELLO

Ha! Ha! Desdemona, unfaithful to me?

IAGO

Why, what is going on, General? Don't talk like that.

OTHELLO

Away! Get away from me! You have tortured me. I swear it's better to be horribly betrayed and not realize it than to know a bit about it.

IAGO

What is going on, my lord? 

OTHELLO

Was I completely senseless during the hours she was cheating on me? I didn't see anything, and I didn't suspect anything. So, it didn't do me any harm. I slept well after, ate well, and was happy and carefree. I didn't see Cassio's kisses on her lips. If a man is ever robbed but doesn't realize what has been stolen, let him not know he's been robbed. And then it's as if the robbery never happened.

IAGO

I am sorry to hear this.

OTHELLO

I would have been happy if the whole camp of soldiers, trench-diggers and all, had tasted her sweet body, if only I didn't know about it. Oh, now I can say farewell to a peaceful mind! Farewell to being content! Farewell to the soldiers in uniform and the big wars that allow me to fulfill my ambitions! Oh, farewell! Farewell the neighing horses and the shrill war trumpets, the war drums that stir the spirit, the ear-piercing flute, the royal banners, pride, the pomp and circumstance, and everything else that's good about war! And you deadly cannons, whose rude blasts are as loud as Jove's thunderbolts, farewell! Othello's military career is finished.

IAGO

Can this be possible, my lord?

OTHELLO

Villain, you'd better be sure that my wife turns out to be a whore. You'd better be sure of it. Give me proof that I can see with my own eyes, or I swear on my soul that you'll wish you had been born a dog rather than have to answer to my anger.

IAGO

Has it come to this?

OTHELLO

Give me evidence, or at least prove it beyond an ounce of doubt—or else you'll regret it!

IAGO

My noble lord—

OTHELLO

If you are going to slander Desdemona and torture me, you can give up on praying, and showing any remorse, because it won't help you. Go ahead and pile more sins on top of the ones you've already committed, do things so horrible they'll make heaven cry and astound everyone on earth. For nothing you could do would add more to your damnation than if you should slander Desdemona more.

IAGO

Oh, grace! Oh, heaven forgive me! Are you human? Do you have any sense, or a soul? Goodbye, I resign as flag-bearer. Oh what a fool I am for being honest to a fault! Oh this monstrous world! Take note, take note, everyone: it is not safe to be direct and honest. Thank you for teaching me this lesson. From here on out, I'll love no friend, since showing love for your friends causes such hate.

OTHELLO

No, stay. You should be honest. 

IAGO

I should be wise, because being honest is foolish and causes someone to lose all that he works for.

OTHELLO

By the world, part of me thinks my wife is honest, and another part of me thinks she isn't. Part of me thinks you're trustworthy, and another part of me thinks you're not. I need some proof. Her reputation, which was as pure and fair as Diana's, is now besmirched and black as my face. If I can find any ropes, knives, poison, fire, or streams you can drown in, I won't endure this dishonor. If only I could be satisfied in this!

IAGO

I see, sir, that passion is eating away at you. I regret that I told you about this. You say that you wish you could be satisfied?

OTHELLO

Yes, and I will be.

IAGO

But how? How will you be satisfied, my lord? Would you, like a voyeur, inappropriately watch and look on as she is having sex?

OTHELLO

Death and damnation! Oh!

IAGO

It would be very difficult, I think, to arrange it so you could watch the two of them sleep together. They'd be damned if anyone else saw them having sex. So, what now? What should we do? What should I say? How could you be satisfied that you know the truth? It is impossible that you should see them in the act, even if they were frisky as goats, monkeys, or wolves in heat, as lustful as drunk idiots. But nonetheless, I tell you, if you would be satisfied to find strong circumstantial evidence pointing to the truth, you could then find such satisfaction.

OTHELLO

Give me some proof that Desdemona is disloyal.

IAGO

I don't like this task. But since I'm already so deeply involved in this, thanks to foolish honesty and concern for you, I will go on. I was recently spending the night in Cassio's bedroom and couldn't sleep because of a raging toothache. Now, some men have such a loose soul that they mutter things in their sleep. Cassio is one of them. I heard him say in his sleep, "Sweet Desdemona, let's be careful and hide our love." And then, sir, he clutched and grabbed my hand, crying "Oh sweet woman!" and he kissed me hard as if with his kisses he was trying to pull up some plant by the roots that was growing on my lips. He laid his leg over my thigh and sighed, and kissed, and then cried out, "Curse fate for giving you to the Moor!" 

OTHELLO

Oh, this is terrible! Terrible!

IAGO

But this was only his dream.

OTHELLO

But his actions suggests something he had already done.

IAGO

It's very suspicious, even though it's only a dream. And this may support and strengthen other, shakier evidence.

OTHELLO

I'll tear Desdemona to pieces!

IAGO

No, be smart. We still haven't seen anything actually happen. She may still turn out to be honest. Just tell me this: have you occasionally seen a handkerchief decorated with strawberries in your wife's hand? 

OTHELLO

I gave her such a handkerchief. It was my first gift to her.

IAGO

I didn't know that, but I saw Cassio use such a handkerchief—I'm sure it was your wife's—to wipe his beard earlier today.

OTHELLO

If it really was that handkerchief—

IAGO

If it's the same one, or any handkerchief of Desdemona's, it is another piece of evidence weighing against her.

OTHELLO

Oh, if only that wretch Cassio had forty thousand lives, so I could kill him all those times! Once isn't enough for my revenge. Now I see that my suspicions are true. Look, Iago, I let go of all my fond love; it's all gone. Black vengeance, come to me from the depths of hell! Oh love, give way to cruel hate! May my chest swell up with hate, as deadly as the venom of poisonous snakes!

IAGO

Calm down, now.

OTHELLO

Oh, blood, blood, blood! 

IAGO

Be patient, I'm telling you. You might change your mind.

OTHELLO

I'll never change my mind, Iago. Just like how the Black Sea never ebbs back but keeps flowing on with its icy waters through the Propontic sea and onward to the Hellespont, so my bloody thoughts only move forward with a violent current and never look back. My anger is like a tide and if it ever recedes back to love it is swallowed up again by a huge wave of revenge. Now, by heaven, with all the reverence of a sacred oath, I here make a vow. [He kneels down]

IAGO

Don't get up yet. [He kneels down as well] May the stars in the sky, and the sky itself be my witnesses: Iago hereby dedicates all of his wit, strength, and heart to helping Othello, who has been wronged. Whatever he commands, I will obey, whatever bloody task he gives me.

OTHELLO

Rather than just giving you empty thanks for your vow, I will take up your generous offer and give you an order right now. Within three days, let me hear you say that Cassio is dead.

IAGO

Your wish is my command. My friend Cassio will die. But let Desdemona live.

OTHELLO

Damn her, that lusty flirt! Oh damn her, damn her! Come on, come leave with me. I will go to figure out some quick way to kill the beautiful devil. Now you are my lieutenant.

IAGO

I am loyal to you forever.