Chapter 4- The Drama Begins Cyprus

The governor of Cyprus, Montano watches a storm with two men.

"There is no way possible that the Turkish fleet could have survived this storm," said Montano.

"You are quite correct sir," reply the two men.

A third man comings running in.

"Sir, as Cassio's ship traveled from Venice, he witnessed the Turks have lost most of their fleet to the storm. At this time, Othello's whereabouts are unknown," said the 3rd man.

"Thank you."

Voices are heard in the background cry, "A Sail, A Sail!"

Montano is hoping that this ship is Othello's.

Thinking to himself, 'Please let this ship be Othello. We are in great need of him.'

However he is wrong. On the ship are Iago, Emilia, Desdemona and Roderigo.

"Desdemona, how was the voyage?" questions Cassio.

"It was fine. Thank you for asking. Where is Othello? Is here?" cries Desdemona with a faint smile on her face.

Cassio sighs, "I'm sorry Desdemona, but Othello is not here yet."

"Oh," the smile then fades from her face.

A man then tells them that a third ship has arrived.

"Oh my gosh, that has to be Othello," cried Desdemona.

As everyone waits for the ship, Cassio and Desdemona tease Emilia about being a chatterbox.

"Such foolishness, Emilia," said Desdemona.

"What? I am only speaking my mind," exclaimed Emilia.

"Yes, you do speak your mind. However, there is many things on your mind that you just ramble on about," stated Cassio.

Iago at this time criticizes women in general. He calls them deceptive and hypocritical.

Desdemona plays along, just being a woman. She's laughing as Iago just goes on and on. Cassio then comes over to Desdemona, wanting to speak to her in private.

"Desdemona," says Cassio.

"Yes? What is it Cassio?" questions Desdemona.

He takes her hand.

"Othello is going to arrive soon."

When Desdemona heard this, a huge smile came upon her face. "Thank you for telling me Cassio," cried Desdemona.

However, at his time, Iago spots Cassio holding Desdemona's hand as he talks to her.

'Ha, ha.' Laughing to himself Iago. 'This is perfect. My new mission is to use Cassio's handholding with Desdemona to frame him, so that he loses his newly gained promotion to Lieutenant. This is just going to be great. Ha, ha, ha.

Othello then arrives.

"Othello!" cried Desdemona, with a large smile on her face.

"Oh, Desdemona, it is great to see you." He then gave her a kiss on the cheek. Othello then moved over to where all the others were.

"I would like to thank all of the Cypriots. It is my pleasure to be here and with your most gratefully hospitality, we will defeat these Turks. Iago, please go and unload the ship."

"Right away sir," he said, under his breath.

All but Roderigo and Iago head to the castle to celebrate the drowning of the Turks

Iago then tells Roderigo that Desdemona will soon grow tired of being with Othello and will long for a better mannered and handsome man. Iago then continues, the most obvious choice for Desdemona, once she leaves Othello, would be who else, but, Cassio.

"Iago, you so wrong about this. Cassio was only being polite, as Desdemona is his higher ranking official's wife."

"No, Roderigo you are wrong. Cassio is in love with Desdemona. He is the one who wants to marry her, not Othello, who unfortunately is already married to her. If you do not believe me, then I'm telling you to start an argument with Cassio this evening."

"Fine. Whatever you say Iago."

Roderigo leaves and now only Iago is left. Iago explains to himself how he will get under Othello's skin, by using Cassio for his evil plot.

'He secretly lusts after Desdemona, partially because he suspects that Othello has slept with Emilia, and he wants to get even with the Moor. But, Iago continues, if he is unable to get his revenge by sleeping with Desdemona, Roderigo's accusation of Cassio will make Othello suspect his lieutenant of sleeping with his wife and torture Othello to madness.' Iago said thinking to himself.