Othello

I have to do it, I have to do it. I have to keep my reason in mind. I won’t say out loud what my reason is, but I have to do it. But I won’t shed any of her blood or scar that beautiful skin, whiter than snow and smooth as the finest marble. But she’s got to die, or she’ll cheat on other men. Put out the light of the candle, and then put out the light of her heart. If I extinguish the candle, I can light it again if I regret it. But once I kill you, you beautiful, fake woman, I do not know the magic that could bring you back. When I’ve plucked this rose, I can’t make it grow again; it will have no choice but to wither and die. Let me smell you while you’re still on the tree. (he kisses her) Oh, that sweet breath almost convinces me not to kill you and carry out justice. One more, one more kiss. If you’re this beautiful when you’re dead, I’ll kill you and then love you afterward. (kissing her) One more, and this is the last. Such a sweet kiss was never so deadly. I have to cry, but I have to be cruel too. I’m acting like God in the Old Testament—I have to punish the one I love. She’s waking up.

Who’s there? Othello?

Yes, Desdemona.

Will you come to bed, my lord?

Have you said your prayers tonight, Desdemona?

Yes, my lord.

If you can think of any crime you haven’t confessed, then pray for forgiveness right away.

Oh, my lord, what do you mean by that?

Well, hurry up and confess. Be quick about it. I’ll wait over here. I don’t want to kill you before you’ve readied your soul. No, I don’t want to send your soul to hell when I kill you.

You’re talking about killing?

Yes, I am.

Then heaven have mercy on me.

Amen to that, from the bottom of my heart.

If you really feel that way, then I hope you won’t kill me.

Hmmph!

You’re scaring me. You terrify me when you have that look in your eyes. I don’t know why I should be afraid, since I haven’t done anything wrong. But I’m still afraid.

Think of your sins.

My only sin was loving you too much.

Yes, that’s why you have to die.

You’re wrong to kill me for loving you. Why are you chewing on your lower lip like that? You’re shaking with emotion. These are bad omens, but I hope, I hope, they don’t predict my future.

Quiet. Stay still.

I will. What’s this all about?

You gave that handkerchief, the one I loved and gave to you, to Cassio.

No, I swear by my life and soul! Bring him here and ask him.

My sweet darling, don’t lie. You’re on your deathbed.

I am? But I’m not dying yet!

Yes, right now. So confess your sin freely now. Even if you swear you’re innocent of every accusation, you won’t change my mind or remove the thought that’s tormenting me. You’re going to die.

Then heaven have mercy on me!

Amen to that.

And you have mercy on me too! I never did anything wrong to you in my life. I never loved Cassio, except with the pure love that I feel for humankind. I never gave him any token of romantic love.

I saw him holding the handkerchief! You liar, you’re turning my heart to stone, and making me call what I’ll do murder, when I had been thinking of it as a sacrifice! I saw the handkerchief.

He found it somewhere, then. I never gave it to him. Tell him to come here. He’ll tell the truth.

He’s already done so.

What, my lord?

That he had sex with you.

What? Had sex with me?

Yes.

He wouldn’t say that.

No. He won’t say anything anymore. Honest Iago’s arranged that.

Oh, I’m scared. What, is he dead?

If he had as many lives as he’s got hairs on his head, I would’ve killed them all in revenge.

Oh, he’s been betrayed, and I’ve been ruined.

What, you whore, are you crying for him right in front of me?

Send me away, my lord, but don’t kill me!

Down, whore!

Kill me tomorrow—but let me live tonight.

No, if you struggle with me—

Just half an hour!

While I’m doing this, I can’t pause for a moment.

Just let me say one prayer!

It’s too late. (he smothers her)

(offstage) My lord, my lord! Hello! My lord, my lord!

What’s that noise? Aren’t you dead yet? I know I’m cruel, but I’m merciful too. I don’t want you to linger in pain.

(offstage) Hello! My lord, my lord!

Who’s there?

(offstage) Oh my lord, I need to speak to you!

Yes, it’s Emilia.(to EMILIA)—Just a minute!—She’s dead now.—Emilia’s probably come to tell me that Cassio’s been killed. The fight outside was loud. So! You’re not moving anymore? No, you’re as still as a grave. Should I let her in? Is that a good idea? I think she’s moving again—No. What should I do? If she comes in, she’ll try to speak to my wife. My wife, my wife! What wife? I don’t have a wife. Oh, this is unbearable! Oh, the horror! There should be a huge eclipse of the sun and the moon, now that Desdemona’s no longer on this earth.

(offstage) Please, my lord. I need to speak with you. Oh, my good lord!

I’d forgotten about you—Emilia, wait a moment, let me draw the curtains. (closes the bed curtains) Where are you? (unlocks the door)

What’s the matter with you now?

Oh, my lord, terrible murders have been committed over there!

What? Just now?

Yes, just now, my lord.

It’s because of the full moon. It comes too close to the earth and drives men crazy.

Cassio’s killed a young Venetian named Roderigo.

Roderigo’s been killed? And Cassio’s killed?

No, Cassio wasn’t killed.

Cassio’s not dead? Then the wrong man is dead, and sweet revenge has gone wrong.

Oh, I’ve been murdered unfairly!

Oh Lord, who’s that crying?

That? What?

Oh, no, that was my lady’s voice.

Help! Help! Oh, lady, speak again. Sweet Desdemona! Oh sweet mistress, speak!

I’m dying an innocent woman.

Oh, who did this thing?

No one. I did it myself. Give my love to my kind husband. Oh, goodbye!

Why, how could she have been murdered?

My God, who knows?

You heard her say it wasn’t me.

Yes, she said that. I must go report what happened.

She was lying even as she was going down to hell. I did kill her.

Then she was even more an angel, and you’re an even blacker devil!

She cheated on me, and she was a whore.

You slander her, you devil.

She was fickle and unfaithful, like water.

You’ve lost your mind to accuse her of cheating. She was utterly true to you!

Cassio had sex with her. Ask your husband if you doubt me. If I didn’t have a good reason to do this, damn me to the very bottom of hell. Your husband knew about everything.

My husband!

Your husband.

He said she was unfaithful?

Yes, with Cassio. If she’d been faithful to me, I never would have given her up, not even if God himself offered me a jewel as big as a planet in exchange for her.

My husband.

Yes, he’s the one who first told me about her. He’s an honest man who detests evil actions.

My husband?

Why do you keep repeating that, woman? I’m telling you, your husband.

Oh, my mistress, a villain has made a mockery of your love! My husband said she was unfaithful!

Yes, him, woman. I said “your husband.”—Do you understand that word? My friend, your husband, the honest, honest Iago.

If he said that, then I hope his malicious soul rots in hell forever. He’s lying through his teeth! She was too attached to her filthy marriage ever to do a thing like that!

Ha!

Go ahead, do your worst. Killing me won’t send you to heaven. You weren’t good enough for her.

You’d better shut up!

I can endure far more pain than you could ever give me! Oh, you idiot! You stupid fool! As dumb as dirt! You’ve committed a terrible evil—I’m not afraid of your sword. I’ll tell everyone what you did, even if it costs me my life twenty times over.—Help, help, help! The Moor’s killed my mistress! Murder, murder!

What’s the matter? What’s going on here, general?

Oh, are you here, Iago? You’ve done a good job, that other men can attribute their murders to you!

What’s the matter?

(to IAGO) Tell this villain he’s wrong, if you’re man enough. He says you told him his wife cheated on him. I know you didn’t. You’re not that much of a villain. Speak, because I’m too emotional to say any more.

I told him what I thought. I didn’t tell him anything that didn’t make sense or ring true to him.

But did you tell him she cheated on him?

I did.

Then you told a lie, a sick, wicked lie. I swear on my soul it was a lie. You said she slept with Cassio. Did you say Cassio?

Yes, with Cassio. Now be quiet.

I will not be quiet! I have to speak. My mistress here lies murdered in her bed—

No, heaven forbid!

And your lies caused this murder.

Don’t stand there gaping, everyone. It’s true.

It may be true, but it’s unbelievable.

Oh, what a horrible deed!

Evil, evil, evil! I can smell it! I suspected it earlier. I’ll kill myself out of grief! Oh, evil, evil!

Are you crazy? I’m ordering you, go home.

Good gentlemen, give me permission to speak. I know I ought to obey my husband, but not now. Maybe I’ll never go home again, Iago!

Oh! Oh! Oh!

Yes, go ahead and moan, because you killed the sweetest, most innocent woman who ever lived!

She was filthy! I barely knew you, Uncle Gratiano. Here’s your niece lying here dead. I killed her with these hands. I know this looks horrible.

Poor Desdemona! I’m glad your father isn’t alive to see this. Your marriage made him die of grief before his time. If he was alive now, this sight would hurt him terribly. It would make him curse the heavens and be damned to hell.

It’s sad, but Iago knows she had sex with Cassio a thousand times. Cassio confessed it, and she pledged her love to him by giving him the handkerchief I’d given her. I saw it in his hand. It was an old memento that my father gave to my mother.

Oh, God! Dear God in heaven!

Damn it, shut your mouth.

No, the truth will come out—Me, shut my mouth? Let heaven and men and devils tell me to shut me up. I’ll say what I have to say.

If you’re smart, you’ll go home.

I won’t.

Shame on you! Drawing your sword on a woman?

Oh, you stupid Moor! I found that handkerchief by accident and gave it to my husband. He’d begged me to steal it many times.

You evil whore!

You think she gave it to Cassio? No, I found it and gave it to my husband.

You piece of filth, you’re lying!

I swear I’m not lying. (to OTHELLO) Oh, you murderous fool! How did you ever get such a good wife?

Won’t heaven strike this Iago dead? You absolute villain!

The woman’s falling down! He’s killed his wife!

Yes, yes! Lay me next to my mistress.

He’s gone, and his wife’s dead.

He’s a wicked, horrible criminal. Take the Moor’s sword and guard the door from the outside. Kill him rather than let him leave this room. I’m going after Iago. He’s a horrid criminal.

I’m not that strong, if a puny nobody can grab my sword. But why should my reputation for honor last longer than my honor did? Let it all go.

What did your song mean, lady? Can you hear me? I’ll die like a swan. They sing when they die. *(singing) Willow, willow, willow.—Moor, she never cheated on you. She loved you, you cruel man. I swear on my soul I’m telling the truth, and as I say this, I die.

I’ve got another weapon in the room. It’s a Spanish sword, hardened in ice cold water and razor sharp. Here it is. Uncle, I’m coming out!

(offstage) If you try that, you’ll pay for it. You’ve got no weapon, so you’ll have to suffer.

Look in on me, and talk with me, or I’ll attack even without a weapon.

What’s the matter?

Look, I have a weapon, the best sword a soldier could have. I’ve fought my way through obstacles twenty times more terrifying than you with this weapon. But who can control his fate? I’m not like that now. Don’t be afraid, even though you see me with a weapon. This is the end of my journey, the end of my life. Are you backing away in fear? There’s no reason to be afraid. You could tap me with a feather and I’d back away. Where would Othello go?—Oh, look at you! Such cruel luck! You’re as pale as your nightgown! When we meet on Judgment Day, that look of yours will send me from heaven to hell, where devils will grab me. You’re cold, cold, and you were never hot with lust. Oh you damned villain! Whip me, you devils, so I don’t have to look at this heavenly sight! Blow on me with hot winds, roast me in lava, drown me in liquid fire! Oh, Desdemona! Dead Desdemona! Oh, oh!

Where is that poor rash man?

You mean the man who used to be Othello? Here I am.

Where’s that snake? Bring the villain forward.

I’m looking to see if you have cloven hooves like the devil. But that’s just a fairy tale. If you are a devil, I won’t be able to kill you.

Take his sword away from him.

I’m bleeding, but you didn’t kill me.

I’m not sorry, either. I want you to live, since to me, death is happiness.

Oh Othello, you were once so good, then you were tricked by this villain. What can I say to you?

Say anything. Call me an honorable murderer if you like. I did nothing out of hate, only out of honor.

This poor guy’s partly confessed his plan. Did you plan Cassio’s death with him?

Yes.

Dear general, I never gave you any reason to hate me.

I believe you, and I ask you to forgive me. Will you please make this half-devil say why he tricked me and damned my soul?

Don’t ask me anything. You know what you know. From this moment on, I’ll never say another word.

What, not even to pray?

Torture will make you talk.

Well, do your best.

Sir, you’ll understand everything that has happened. I don’t think you know now. Here is a letter we found in Roderigo’s pocket. And here’s another. This one talks about how Roderigo should kill Cassio.

Oh, you villain!

Ungodly and monstrous!

Here’s another letter from his pocket, addressed to Iago and full of complaints. We think he was going to send it to Iago, but then Iago stepped in and answered his complaints by killing him.

Oh, you wicked scoundrel! Cassio, how did you get my wife’s handkerchief?

I found it in my room, and Iago just confessed that he put it there for his own purposes.

Oh, what a fool I am!

Also, in his letter to Iago, Roderigo criticizes Iago for telling him to get me angry while I was on guard duty, and get me demoted. And just now he admitted it, even though he’d seemed to be dead for a long while—Iago tricked him, Iago urged him to do it.

(to OTHELLO) You’ll have to leave this room and come with us. You’re stripped of your power and your command, and Cassio will govern Cyprus. As for this slave, Iago, if we can think of any torture that will hurt him a lot but keep him alive a long time, he’ll have it. You’ll remain a prisoner until we bring your crimes to the Venetian government.—Okay, take him away.

Wait. A word or two before you go. I’ve given the state of Venice a bit of help in the past, and they know it. But enough about that. When you record these sad events in your letters, please describe me exactly as I am. Don’t tone things down or exaggerate them out of hostility. If you’re being fair, you’ll have to describe me as someone who loved too much, but who wasn’t wise about it. I was not easily made jealous, but once I was tricked and manipulated, I worked myself into a frenzy. Describe me as a fool who threw away a precious pearl with his own hands, like a silly Indian who didn’t know what it was worth. As someone who was not emotional, but who then cried a lot. Write all this down, and then say also that in Aleppo I once saw a Turk beating a Venetian, so I grabbed the Turk by the throat and hit him like this.

Oh, what a bloody end to all this!

Everything we’ve heard is bad.

(to DESDEMONA) I kissed you before I killed you. Now, killing myself, I’m dying while I kiss you again.

I was afraid this would happen, because he was a noble, brave man, but I didn’t think he had a weapon.

(to IAGO) You bloodthirsty dog, you’re crueler than sadness or hunger, crueler than the sea. Look at these dead people on this bed. You did all this. He makes me sick. Take him away. Gratiano, take care of the house, and take the Moor’s property. You’ve inherited everything.—(to CASSIO) Governor, I leave it in your hands to punish this evil villain: just decide the time, the place and the means of torture. And then carry it out! I have to go back to Venice, and tell them about these sad events.