Act I, Scene ii
After arousing Brabantio's anger, Iago heads off to warn Othello, while Cassio reports to the Duke. Othello informs Iago that he is confident in his wife's love and his own strength. Enter Cassio, with orders from the Duke for Othello. He is to meet with the Duke and the Venetian senators about the Turkish fleet's invasion of the colony of Cyprus. Cassio pretends not to know of the marriage, but really does, as Desdemona told him in private. Brabantio and his gang meet up with Iago, Cassio, and Othello, who tells Brabantio to come with him to the Duke, and they can settle their issue then. In an aside, Cassio and Iago discuss their course of action in the event that Brabantio cannot cause the break up of Othello and Desdemona with his charges. They decide that should this plan fail, as it may well, due to Desdemona's tricky nature, they would resort to another plan, one where they destroy the relationship from the inside out.
"…I swear, sir, I know I've killed many men in your name on the battlefield, but to commit contrived murder would deprive me of conscience altogether," Iago exclaimed fervently. He paced back and forth before a bemused and slightly inebriated Othello. "Nine or ten times, I thought I would have stabbed him in the heart in sheer passion!"
Othello merely waved a hand at his ensign. "Nay, Iago, leave him be."
Iago plunged full-on into his act. "No, no, sir! He prated and spoke such scurvy and provoking terms against your Honor that I barely restrained myself, with full grace of God, from attacking him! But sir," he whispered conspiratorially, leaning in close to his general, "tells me: is your marriage true and secure? For you know that the magnifico is much beloved in the senate, and his words could have double the power of the Duke himself! Should anyone have to power to divorce you, or at the least separate you and your wife, most certain it is he."
The general slung a congenial arm around his ensign's shoulders, and gave a chuckle. "Let him do his spite," he said cheerfully, "for the service I have lent the senate shall surely outcry his complaints. Did you know, Iago, that I am of a certain royal parentage? Yes; that, combined with the meritorious acts I have done for this senate gives me ranking comparable to Brabantio himself."
He turned away with a smile to glance out the window, but soon a frown marred his face. "Iago, what are those lights coming there?"
Iago hurried over to the window beside Othello. Feigning worry, he looked to Othello, answering, "That must be Brabantio, and the search party he gathered. You best come inside, sir." He pulled on Othello's arm, trying to tear him away from the window, but Othello held fast, and brushed him away.
"You may go if you wish," he said plainly, "but it is I he wishes for, yes? I must stay. I am guiltless, and I shall be found so. Let them come."
The band of torch flames grew closer and closer, until the men's faces shone with clarity. It was not Brabantio and his men, but Cassio, and officers of the Duke. With a cheer, Othello headed outside to greet them.
"The servants of the Duke, and my lieutenant! The goodness of the night upon you, friends," he said, gathering Cassio into a hug. Over Othello's shoulder, Cassio smirked playfully at his lover. Iago rolled his eyes as he watched Cassio bestow praise after praise on Othello.
"Liar," he muttered, "false as a whore's love, but twice good an actor."
"Cassio! Enough of this flattery! What is the news, my friend?" Othello pulled away from the man, holding him by the shoulders at arm's length.
"Ah, the Duke does greet you, general, and he requires your immediate presence, even as we speak," relayed Cassio, glancing briefly at Iago.
"My presence? What do you think for?" Othello questioned.
The lieutenant shrugged. "Something from Cyprus, as far as I can tell, and something most urgent. A dozen messengers have sent out, one after the other, to call the senators to the Duke. Many have already made their presence before his Grace, and yours is immediately requested. When you were not found at your lodgings, three separate bands were assembled to seek you out, I being the most prosperous of them," Cassio said with a wry smile.
"'Tis well I am found by you, then," Othello replied with a nod. "I must give but a word inside, and then I shall away with you." He acknowledged the group and made his way back inside the inn.
Once assured his general was safely inside the building, Cassio turned to Iago. Keeping an eye on the Duke's servants, he said to Iago, "Iago! What is Othello doing here tonight?"
Iago, too, glanced at the gathering of people, before responding "Faith, he tonight has boarded a land carrack. If it proves lawful, he's made forever." Subtly, he moved closer towards Cassio, and away from the other men, who didn't notice. They continued their conversation, steadily inching away.
"I do not understand…" Cassio's words trailed off, as Iago grabbed his arm and steered him away from the rest of the gathering, around the side of the inn down a dark alley.
As soon as they were away from prying eyes, Cassio playfully held his lover around the waist, nipping at his lips. Iago returned the kisses eagerly with a laugh, asking, "What happened while I was away?"
"The Duke," said Cassio in between light kisses, "sent for my appearance. Some military occasion in Cyprus, and he needs Othello's leadership. How goes on your end?"
Iago scoffed. "Roderigo was as easy to manipulate as I had predicted. Even now, Signori Brabantio and his band are out for Othello's blood."
Cassio chuckled, his breath fanning hotly against Iago's lips. "With luck, they should slay each other where they stand, and our troubles with them," he whispered.
Iago laughed darkly, drawing his lover into another kiss. "And all that would remain is the disposal of Emilia, that wanton whore of a wife," he muttered.
"And Desdemona," said Cassio. "For her to live while Othello dies would be like killing the demon's spawn while the Devil still runs free."
Iago nodded. "A fitting comparison for that bitch-hound," he grumbled, carefully peeking around the corner. With a noise of disgust, he turned back to Cassio. "Our general returns, and so must we to this charade," he sighed, shifting to extract himself him Cassio's arms.
Cassio quickly snatched at Iago's waist before he could leave, drawing him into a fiery kiss. "Parting is such sweet sorrow, only the bitter bliss of your kiss could hope to help me bear it," he whispered dramatically as he released Iago, who snorted, but walked away with a satisfied smile.
Rejoining the group with a smirking Cassio in tow, Iago announced, "Come, captain, will you go?"
Othello turned around to affirm his answer, "I shall go with you."
Cassio noticed another band off lights approaching their little party. "Here comes another troop to seek for you, sir," he said, directing everyone's attention.
As they drew near, their faces were clearly discernable: Brabantio, Roderigo, and the band of Brabantio's men. "It is Brabantio," Iago spoke in an undertone. "General, be wary, for he comes of ill intent."
Othello, with a frown upon his face, stepped forward to meet them. "Halt there!"
Roderigo whispered something into the senator's ear. "Signor, it is the Moor."
"Down with him, thief!" Brabantio and his men drew their swords at his cry, advancing on Othello and his men.
Iago drew his sword first, calling hotly, "You, Roderigo! Come, sir, have at thee!"
Before he could make the first thrust, however, Othello halted his men. "Sheathe your swords, men, for the dew will rust them," he said quietly, but in a commanding voice that silenced all present. "Good Signor, you shall more command with your years than with your weapons. Lay down your swords, I pray you." He held out his hand in a gesture of peace.
Brabantio snarled at Othello, pushing aside his outstretched hand. "You damned thief, where hast thou hidden my daughter? Damned as you are, you have enchanted her, no doubt! For surely I can entrust my case with this evidence, plain to all senses: If she were not enchanted by some dastardly spell of yours, for no reason would she run from my guardianship to your sooty bosom-to fear, not to delight! How could a maid so young, fair, and happy, so opposed to marriage that she shunned the wealthy men of our own nation, find happiness with you?"
Othello stepped back, mildly shocked and affronted by Brabantio's accusations. He opened his mouth to refute the allegations, but it appeared that the Signor was not quite finished. "Let the world be my judge," he said loudly for everyone to hear, "if it is not self-evident that you have tricked her with foul charms, abused her with drugs and potions that weaken inhibitions. I'll have it argued in court, so certain am I! I therefore apprehend and arrest thee on charges of black magic and witchcraft, as is forbidden by the law—Take hold of him. Should he resist, subdue him at his own peril."
Behind Othello, Cassio leaned over to Iago, muttering, "I swear, 'tis good and well I didn't marry Desdemona; to have that pompous bastard as father-in-law would be worse than hell."
Iago bit his lip to hold back his amused chuckle as Brabantio's men moved forward to restrain Othello. He and Cassio drew their swords, they and the others ready to meet Brabantio's men. The general spoke quickly, wishing to avoid bloodshed, saying, "Stay your swords, both you of my inclining and the rest. Should it be time to fight, I would know it; this be not the time nor place—Signori, where would you wish me go to satisfy your charge?"
"To prison," shouted Brabantio, "as far away from my daughter as possible, until the time when the law and course of direct session call thee to answer."
"And if I do obey? How may the Duke be satisfied, whose messengers," he asked, motioning to the men around him, "are here by my side upon some present business of the state, to bring me to him?"
"'Tis true," vouched one of the officers, validating Othello's logic, "most worthy signor. The Duke's in council, and your noble self, as senator, I am sure is sent for."
The old senator sputtered, looked back at his servants, and then to Roderigo, who shrugged.
"What—what? The Duke in council? At this time of the night? Come, away; mine's not a frivolous cause. The Duke himself, or any of my brothers of the state, will feel this wrong as it were there own," stammered Brabantio quickly. He motioned to all gathered, saying, "Come, o cursed Moor! We shall to the Duke and council, and shall see what comes of you."
As everyone headed off in the direction of the council meeting, Iago held Cassio back for a moment. "Cassio," he said quietly, "you spoke true when you spoke of the Signori; he is but a child, hurling baseless accusations without solid logic."
"And your concern?" Cassio kept a wary eye on Othello and Brabantio as they followed from a distance.
"That the fool will not properly be able to argue his case before the court," replied Iago.
"Should he fail, we shall simply have to act upon your second scheme, with all haste," said Cassio easily. "Jealousy knows no better companion than revenge, after all."
Iago laughed darkly. "I see we are of same mind. Come, let us go and know the results of our misdeeds."
A/N: I had so much fun writing this chapter. I was writing it at band rehearsal, and my friend kept typing random words in the middle of it...let's just say I had a few outtakes. ;) Oh, and if anyone's actually read Othello, I hope you'll notice that I used most of the original dialogue. Review, constructive criticism appreciated!