HereisaparodyofmyfavouriteShakespeareandramathatIoncewrotebyhand,backinmymidteens.

I
hadthepurposeofsharingitwithallofyoureaderssomeday,andhereitis!
Formoreinformation,Ihaveupdatedthisrewritingwithmorereferencesthantheoriginalhandwrittenplay
had,

THETRAVESTYOFOTHELLO
AMOORTHANBLOODYDRAMAIN"FOOR"ACTS
(PLUSONE,THATMAKESFIVEACTS)

WRITTENBY
WILLIAMSHAKESPEAREoriginalscript
SANDRAE.DERMARKsummary
SANDRAE.DERMARKadaptation(aswell)
DRACOMALFOYFANLISTINGsupport
LUNALOVEGOODFANLISTINGsupport(aswell)
"THERAGEOFCASTAMERE"LANNISTERFANGROUPsupport(evenmore)
NORDENSARKmoose
OYSHOpyjamas
NSC@Fcoffee

SPONSOREDBY
REDCOW,givesyouwings.
HAINEKEN.
GENERALELECTROCUTION.
"THERAGEOFCASTAMERE"LANNISTERFANGROUP.
KRPTIA.

DEDICATEDTO
JOSEPMARCO
and
PILAREZPELETA
withallmyaffection.

STARRING(DRAMATISPERSONAE)
OTHELLOtalldarkgeneral.
CASSIOhonestlieutenant.
IAGOnotsohonestensign.
DESDEMONAOthello'sbelovedladywife.
EMILIADesdemona'smaidservant,marriedtoIago.


ThestorytakesplaceinanoutpostsomewhereonNorthernCyprus,inthelatesixteenthor
earlyseventeenthcentury.

ANNOTATION:
"Lieutenant"shouldalwaysbepronounced"leftenant"inthisplay.

UPWITHTHECURTAIN!

ACTONE

SCENE1:INTHECOURTYARD.OTHELLO,IAGO,CASSIO.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:
BLACKADDERTHEMESONG
OTHELLO:Andthus,IpromotehopefulyoungCassiototherankofLieutenant...(
Hegives
Cassioafineswordandaniceplumedhat
).
IAGO(
tohimself
):Ihavefoughtbyhissideincountlessbattles,onthefrontlineitself,riskinglife
andlimbbyhisside,andyet...(
Pause.
)Thatfrillylittleupstart...thatstriplingofthisnewkindof
"educatedofficers",whoknowsasmuchoftacticsasanoviceinanunnery...hasjustusurped
therankwhichisminebyright!Heshouldratherdie!Or...Whynot?(
Hegivestheaudiencea
meandeathglare
)
MUSIC:TOCCATAANDFUGUEINDMINORBYJ.S.BACH.
Inthegoodolddays,privatesornoncomsbecameofficersthroughgoodhonestfighting.
Nowadaysanofficer,forsomereason,needsaneducation...andscarredveteransareleftin
theshade.Like...completelyoverlooked.Givennoncomranksinspiteoftheirprowess...YetI
don'tthinkanyonewillseeitcoming...forIwillpoisontheirmindstobreaktheirties,andthen,
oncetheyareparted,strikethemonebyoneintheback!IfIwereOthelloorCassio,Inever
wouldaccepttheIagokindoffellowbymyside...SoIdon'twearmyheartuponmysleeve...
Thefuninthegameisthefactthatthecardsarehidden.(
Pause.
)IamnotwhatIam!

SCENE2:ATTHESHUTCHAPELDOOR,IAGOONHISOWN.
DESDEMONA(
offstage,frominsidethechapel)
:Ido.
OTHELLO(
offstage,frominsidethechapel)
:Ido.
(
Weddingbellspeal,therefrainofABBA's"IDo,IDo,IDo,IDo,IDo!"canbeheard
)
IAGO:Ihaveupmysleeveatreacherousandcunningplanthatabsofreakinglutelycannotfail.
Whenthenewlieutenantisonguardduty,I'llensurethathebecomesunworthyofhisrank!
(
cuebaritoneevillaugh
)MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
(
TheWeddingMarchplaysinthebackground.
)

ACTTWO

SCENE1:EVENINGINTHECOURTYARD:OTHELLO,DESDEMONA,ANDCASSIO.
OTHELLO(
Totheaudience,loudlyandconfidently)
:Rejoice!Thewarisover!Theenemyisno
more!Thesearenowdaysofvictoryandpeace!(
ToCassio)
Lieutenant,youshallbeonguard
dutytonight.
CASSIO(
saluting
):Yes,sir!Iwilldomybest!
(
OthellotakesDesdemonabythehandandbothofthemwalkoffstageholdinghands,locking
eyes,andcooing.Cassiostandsatattention
).
ENTERIAGO.
IAGO(approachingCassio):HeyLieutenant!Sowegotthiskegger,anditmustsurebedullto
standthereallnightlongonyourown.SoI'dliketoask...voulezvouscomewithuscesoir?
CASSIO:Sorry,Iago.Ihaveorderstotake.Iought,infact,tostaysoberonduty...
IAGO:Ifthat'sthe...you'renotateetotaler,Lieutenant,amIright?Aww...It'sonlyoneshot...
CASSIO:Then...Justasip,toquenchmythirst,won'tbewrong!Let'sseeifmysystemcan
holdit!
ENTERTHREEORFOUROFFICERSMORE,CARRYINGSHOTGLASSESANDLIQUOR.IN
THEBACKGROUND,"LIVETRENFEST"BYNATIONALTEATERN.
IAGO(
pourseachofficerashotglass,thenoneforhimself)
:Here'stoourgeneral!
(
Theyclinktheirglassesanddrainthem,Cassioputshisdoubtfullytohislips)

CASSIO:Allright,thisoneandnomore!Downthehatch!(
Hedrainshisglasstothelastdrop,
andIagogiveshimarefill
)
IAGO:NowI'dliketoproposeasong.
CASSIO:Hopeit'sagoodone.Alovesongofthekindthatmakesmethinkofabeautifullady...
IAGO(
singing
):TwasonthegoodshipVenus,
byLord,youshouldhaveseenus!
Thefigureheadwasawhoreinbed,
andthemastarampantpenis...
Friggingintherigging,
friggingintherigging,
friggingintherigging,
therewasfuckallelsetodo!Sk

l!(
Heraiseshisglass,andsodoallothers,andtheyclinkand
draintheirglasses.IncludingCassiothistime)
.
CASSIO(
nowcheerfulandoverthetop)
:Iago!Couldn'tyouhavechosenaless...vulgarsong?
IAGO:Sorry,Lieutenant.I'monlyacritic.Anyway,you'reincharge.Soifyouwouldratherbe
pleasedwithsomemore...courteouslyrics,let'sseewhatIcanfind!(
Pause)
Aha!(
gettingon
thetable,pouringeachofficerathirddrink,singingoncemore
):Themorewearetogether,
together,together,
themorewearetogether,
themerrierweget.
IfIammerry,thenyouaremerry.
Ifyouaremerry,thenIammerry.
Themorewearetogether,
themerrierweget!Sk

l!(
Heraiseshisglass,andsodoallothers,andtheyclinkanddraintheir
glasses.IncludingCassiothistime
).

IAGO(
tooneoftheotherofficers
):Nowwe'vegothim,Roderigo!
CASSIO:I'msoexcited!!I'veneverhadabettertimeinmylife!!
IAGO(
stillonthetable,pouringeachofficerafourthdrink,thenclearinghisthroatandsinging
oncemore)
:Whatdoyoudowithadrunklieutenant,
Whatdoyoudowithadrunklieutenant,
Whatdoyoudowithadrunklieutenant,
earlyinthemorning?
Hey,hey,andupsherises!
Hey,hey,andupsherises!
Hey,hey,andupsherises,
earlyinthemorning!
Puthimintheguardroomtillhessober,
Puthimintheguardroomtillhessober,
Puthimintheguardroomtillhessober,
earlyinthemorning!
Hey,hey,andupsherises!
Hey,hey,andupsherises!
Hey,hey,andupsherises,
earlyinthemorning!Sk

l!(
Heraiseshisglass,andsodoallothers,andtheyclinkanddrain
theirglasses,includingCassio)
.
CASSIO(
stillecstatic,nowwithslurredspeech,reachinghisshotglasstoIago
):Thissongwas
thebestonesofar!(
Pause
)Iago...whyistheroomreeling?
IAGO(
saunteringoffthetable
):Afifthone,Lieutenant?
CASSIO:Ifitgivesmoreelation...(
Iagopourshimafifthshot)

IAGO(
singing,raisinghisglassforthefifthtime
):Ifyouthinkthegrave'stoodeepanddire,
whynottakeadraughtofliquidfire?
Thenanother,athird,makeitfour,makeitfive...
andyou'llfeelmorealive!Sk

l!
(
Theofficersclinkglassesforanothertime,andCassio'sfifthglasssharesthefateofallthe
previousones.Then,thelieutenantnearlyfallsheadfirstonthetable)
.
IAGO(
helpingCassiotogetup)
:Lieutenant...?Areyoualright?
CASSIO(
slurred
):Ofcourse,Iago...Tsk!Didyoujustnudgeyourcommandingofficer!!??(
He
drawssteelandstartstoswishhisswordalloverthecourtyard,staggeringandeventually
woundingIagointherightarm.Backgroundmusic:"Vltava",Smetana
)
CASSIO:Youtwuebashtard!
IAGO:Lieutenant!Lefteeenant!Waituntilthegeneralseesthis!(
Totheotherofficers
)The
lieutenantisberserk!!Pleasehelpmerestrainhim!(
TheotherofficersseizeCassio,whofalls
unconsciousanddropshisbloodstainedsword)
.
ENTERGENERALOTHELLO,FOLLOWEDBYHISDESDEMONA.BOTHARERUMPLED,
STILLINTHEIRNIGHTCLOTHES,WITHMESSYHAIR.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:SARKA,
SMETANA
OTHELLO(
stern
):WhatonEarthisgoingon?HaveweallturnedTurks?OrDornish?Or
whatever...?LieutenantCassio,couldyouexplainallthis?

CASSIO(
comingto,lightheadedandconfused)
:Eh...?
OTHELLO(
stern
):Hisbladeisstainedwithblood,andhereekslikeadrunkard...(
Pause.)
This
isawarzone,andwehavejustreachedafragilepeacethatwethoughtneverwouldcome.
Everyonewithinthesewallsisstillonedgeafterthewar,andthisyoungofficerwassupposed
tobeonguardduty...(
Pause.
)EnsignIago,myoldfriendandbrotherinarms,couldyougive
anexplanation?
IAGO:Let'ssee.Thelieutenanthereisareallygoodandreliableyoungfellow,ifitweren'tfor
hisliquidcourageissues.SoItriedtostophim,butinvain.Hegotcompletelyintoxicated,and
thenhewentberserk.Wetriedtostophisrampage,andI'mproudtosaywehavesucceeded.
Anyway,nobody'sperfect,noteventhePopeisinfallible,sowhyshoulditbeayoung
lieutenant?Whyshouldhenot,likesomanyyoungsters,drinkhimselfoutofreasonandlose
controlofhimself?
OTHELLO(
stern,lookingatCassio)
:You'veevenstartledmydearladyfair...I'msorry,Cassio.
ThoughIloveyou,youwillnevermakealieutenant.You'refired.(
HetakesCassio'sswordand
hishat,andgivesthemtoIago
).
EXITOTHELLO.IAGOANDCASSIOSITDOWNONADJACENTCHAIRS.
IAGO(
sarcastic
):Areyouhurt...Lieutenant?
CASSIO(
stillwiththathangover)
:Nyes...
IAGO(
concerned
):Iseenophysicalinjury,soitmustbesomethingdeeper.(
Touchingthe
middleofCassio'schest,wheretheheartis)
.Thislooksveryserious,Lieutenant.(
Shakeshis
head.Pause.
)Tellme,honestly,whatyoufeel.Whereintheredoesithurtyou?Yourcareer?
Yourreputation?(
Pause.
)Anyway,whatisacareer?Whatisareputation?(
Shrugginghis
shoulders.
)Muchadoaboutnothing!
CASSIO(
stillhungover,sarcastic,cleaninghisbladewithadampcloth)
:Goodadvicefroma
rankertoanofficer.
IAGO(
cheerful
):Anyway,Lieutenant,inmyownhumbleopinion,youngpeopleshouldletdown
theirhaireverynowandthen.Ifsomething'sofflimits,thatdoesn'tmeanit'stheendoftimesif
youdaretotryit.Lieutenant,weallhavelearnedmostthethingsweknowthroughtrialand
error.(
Pause.
)Nowtrytorememberwhathappenedlastevening.Anyway,howmuchliquor
wentunderyourbelt?Howstrongwasit?Andwhywereyouswishingyourswordalloverthe
place?
CASSIO(
stilldepressedandhungover,cleaninghisblade)
:IfonlyIcouldremember!(
Pause.)

Iago,totellyouthetruth,myrecollectionsoflasteveningareratherhazy.Soherearethefew
piecesofthepuzzleIcanputtogether.(
Pause.
)IhaveIdon'tknowhowmanydrinks,strong
drinks,withothermeninuniform.Then,Isuddenlyflareup,Idon'tknowwhy,andweare
chasingeachother.Andthen,fightingeachother.Thatotherperson,whomusthavebeena
he...Ineversawhisface,buthischestwasflatasatable...bringsmedownonthefloor,and
thenthelightsgoout...Imusthaveshutmyeyes...andthenIwakeupwithathrobbinghead,a
heavyheart,andanirrationalurgetothrowup.HisLordshipandHerLadyshiparestanding
beforeme.Andyouaretheretoo,bleedingandinpain.Butwhatshocksmethemostisseeing
myswordallbloodstained.Here,Iago.Youwouldn'tbothertohaveatraitor'sbloodonyour
bandage?Besides,yourwoundswillhealsoonerthanmine.(
Havingwipedhisswordclean,he
givestheclothtoIago,whobandageshisrightarmwithit.)

IAGO(
ashebandageshisrightarm
):Why,Idon'tcare,Lieutenant!Still,Ithinkitwasashame,
andagreatshame,towastesogoodsteelonyourownsubordinates.
CASSIO(
stilldepressedandhungover)
:It'smorethanashame!Drunk?Adrunkenlieutenant?
Reeling,faltering,staggering?Onewhodrawssteelagainsthisownshadow?(
Pause.
)One
naiveenoughtoletin,throughhispartedlips,ausurperwhoclaimedreason'sthrone?(
Pause.)

Howstrange!Howfoolish!ShouldnothaveoverestimatedhowmuchIcanhold!EveryglassI
drainedcontainedaregimentforacoupd'tat...forthesuccessfulcoupoftheusurperwho
claimedreason'sthrone!
IAGO(
encouragingCassio
):Aw,Lieutenant!Nowyou'velearnedyourlesson:drinklessliquor
nexttimeandprovethatyou'reresponsible!Keepcalmandcarryon!Ifthegeneralhadyou
fired,Ibethisspousecouldhaveyoureinstated.
CASSIO(
embracingIago
):Thanks,Iago!SeeyouwhenI'vemether!(
HewavesIagogoodbye.)

EXITCASSIO.
IAGO(
totheaudience
):Andthisisonlyhalfthebattle.Theclimaxisuprightnow!Let'ssee.I
havealreadyensnaredtwoofthem,andsoonthethirdwillbetrappedaswell...Nowwhodares
toguessIplaythevillainonthisstage?
THESUNRISES.

ACTTHREE

INAFRENCHGARDEN.DESDEMONAANDCASSIO.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:
"EVERYTHINGIDO,IDOITFORYOU."
DESDEMONA:Trustme,Lieutenant.Justhavefaithinme.I'lltalktohimaboutyouatthetable,
inbed,inthecourtyard...evenintheprivy.(
ShechucklesandtakesCassiobythehand.
)Inthe
end,he'llbesoannoyedthatyouwillsurelygetyourrankback.
CASSIO:Icannotbethankfulenough.Eh...Thegeneraliscoming!Rememberthepromiseyou
made!
EXITCASSIO,LOOKINGOVERHISSHOULDER.ENTEROTHELLO,FOLLOWEDBYIAGO.
DESDEMONA(
toherhusband)
:IwishtointercedeforthesakeofLieutenantCassio.He'sso
sorryforwhathe'sdone!
OTHELLO:Allright,perchanceIwasalittleharshwiththatpunishment,butIwillgivehima
secondchance.
DESDEMONA:Darling,youaresokind!That'sthebestyou'vedonesincewemarried!(
She
kissesOthello.
)
EXITDESDEMONA,ASSHEDISTRACTEDLYLEAVESAHANDKERCHIEFONTHEFLOOR.
IAGO(
whisperingtoOthello)
:Asslipperyasaneel.
OTHELLO:Excuseme?
IAGO:Really,itwasnothing.Nothinginparticular.
OTHELLO:Apennyforyourintrusivethoughts.
IAGO:IonlywondersomethingsaboutDesdemonaandCassio.Firstthingsfirst.Washe
acquaintedwithher,orherwithhim,beforeshewasacquaintedwithyou?
OTHELLO:Why,heintroducedmetoher!

IAGO:And...whichdistancedotheykeepinconversation?
OTHELLO:They'reactuallyprettyclosetoeachother.Iassumebecausethey'vealwaysbeen
goodfriends.
IAGO:And...what'stheirstarsign?I'dliketoknowthesignsofboth.
OTHELLO:Well,she'saTaurusandhe'saScorpio,but...whysuchasuddeninterest?Aren't
youactuallytryingtoinsinuatethatmyladywifeishavinganaffairwiththattrustedlieutenant?
Thatthey'remoretoeachotherthanjustgoodfriends?
IAGO:Why,he'strustworthy.Andsoisshe.WhyonEarthwouldbothofthemeverdareto
betrayyou?
OTHELLO(
calmly
):Idoubtso.ConsideryoungCassio.He'sseenthelightafterthatfateful
incident...Haven'tyounoticedhowbythebookheacts?AndmybelovedDesdemona...she
dancestheminuet,shesingslikeanangel,sheplaysthehighharp,shespeaksFrenchand
Latinaseasilyasyouplease.Shecouldeventamewildbears,forsheisboldenoughtodareto
doso!SoIneedproofoftheirguiltbeforeIcanbelieve.
IAGO:Andbewareofjealousy,mylord.It'sagreeneyedmonster...
OTHELLO:I'mnotsurewhattobelieve.Ilovemyladywife,andIbelieveinherfaithfulness...
butIalsotrustIago,myhonestcomrade,alwayslikeabrothertome...
(
Iagonoticesthehandkerchiefandpicksitup.
)
EXITOTHELLO.ENTEREMILIA,WITHQUICKSTEPS.
EMILIA:Butwho'sthere!Andwhataboutmylady'sweddinggift?She'sbeenlookingforitall
overtheplace.Goodnessyou'vefoundit!
IAGO:Hearup,Milly.I'vegotplans.Impressiveplans.Nowomenallowed.Ijustlovethe
strawberrypatternonthishandkerchief.SoI'dliketogiveittoHerLadyshipinperson.No
matterifyou'reherhandmaid,whichyouareinfact.
EMILIA:Allright,I'llbeleavingrightnow.I'lltellmyladythatyou'llhandherwhatshehas
recentlylost.Thinkofthat!She'llbemissingthathandkerchiefterribly.Now,Iago,Ihopeyou
don'tdoanythingwrongwiththatstrawberryembroidery...
IAGO:Don'tworry,Milly!Everything'sundercontrol!
EXITEMILIA,LEAVINGIAGOONHISOWN.MUSIC:TOCCATAANDFUGUEINDMINOR
BYJ.S.BACH.
IAGO(
totheaudience
):Now,apieceofcloth,incertainscenarios,mayturnouttobeas
relevantasapeacetreaty...orasadeclarationofwar.SupposethatCassiofindsthis
handkerchiefinhisquarters.Whatmayhappenthen?HisLordship'sworstsuspicionswillbe
aroused,andthus,theyounglieutenantwillfallfromgrace...evendeeperthanhehasdone
before.NowwhodarestoguessIplaythevillainonthisstage?(
cuebaritoneevillaugh)

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

ACTFOUR

THECOURTYARD.OTHELLOANDIAGO.
IAGO:Ijusthavetowonder...Haveyoueverseenherwithasilkhandkerchief,spottedwith
strawberries?

OTHELLO:Itwasmyweddinggifttoher.Notlately...
IAGO:But...(
Pause.
)Haven'tyouseenCassiowiththathandkerchieflately?
OTHELLO:NowIunderstand!HowcouldIeverbethatnaive?!Ithoughthertrue,and,after
all...Shebetrayedme,Iago...!Shebetrayedme!Chaoshascomeagain!(
Hefallsunconscious
ontheground,thenbeginstotwitchandtossandwritheviolently,sufferingfromanepileptic
seizure.Backgroundmusic:"OnTheRun"byPinkFloyd.
).
IAGO:Keeponthatway,YourLordship!Twitch!Toss!Writhe!HowmuchIliketoseeyou
suffer!
ENTERCASSIO,WHOSTANDS,SHOCKED,BYIAGO'SSIDE.
CASSIO(
shocked,lookingatOthello)
:YourLordship!(
ToIago.
)Iago,sinceyouhavealways
beensohelpful...whydon'tyoudoanythingtosavehislife?
IAGO(
lookingconcerned,toCassio
):Sorry,Lieutenant.(
Shrugginghisshoulders.)
Ihavenever
donefirstaidtoanepilepticbefore,andthus,allIcansayisIdon'tknowwhatthehecktodo!
(
Pause.
)Butyou,Lieutenant,youareaneducatedofficer,andthus,mostcertainlyin
possessionofthatkindofknowledge.
CASSIO:AndIthoughtIwouldnevertendtoanepilepticinthemilitary...(
Hekneelscloseto
Othello,placesthegenerallyingonhisrightside,andloosenshisclothes.Then,hegetsupand
placeshimselfnexttoIago,whomhenowaddresses.)
GoodIago...WillHisLordship,in
exchangeforsuchanactofkindness,everforgivemytransgression?
IAGO:Notimmediately,Lieutenant.Hemaynothaveseenyouloosenhisclothes,andthus,he
wouldrathertrustanotherthanyou,believingthatsomeoneelsesavedhislife.Youshould
betterkeepontendingtoyourdutiesfortoday...Eh,Lieutenant?
CASSIO(
Tohimself
):Thisremindsmeofsomethingthatmayhaveoccurred...Mymemoriesof
thateveningarestillfoggy,butIagowassurelythere,allexcited,singingandcheering...Or
maybenot?Thatliquorisstillplayingtricksonme,evenafterbeingexpelled...(
ToIago,
enthusiasticandreachingouthishandtotheensign)
:Sooffwego!
EXITIAGOANDCASSIO,HANDINHAND.ENTERDESDEMONA.OTHELLOCOMESTO.
OTHELLO:IthinkIhavegotafever...Couldyoutendtome,please?Where'sthehandkerchief
Ioncegaveyouasatokenofmylove?
DESDEMONA:Ihaven'tfoundityetatall,eversinceIlostittwodaysago.Isn'tthissome
evasivetostopdiscussingCassioandhisreinstatement?
OTHELLO:Thathandkerchiefwasenchanted.Thestrawberrypatternwasdyedredwiththe
heartsofmaidens.ItwasagiftfromMother,beforesheleftthisworld.Ifyoueverlostit,you
wouldlosemyloveaswell.Forsuchisthespellonthehandkerchief.
DESDEMONA:Suchalovelystory!But...Isn'tthissomeevasivetostopdiscussingCassioand
hisreinstatement?
OTHELLO:Thereissomethingmorethanthereinstatement...(
Hegetsirate,thenfurious.
)
...andyouknowwellwhatImean,youshamelesswhore!!!(
Hetacklesherviolently,bringingher
totheground.Then,herunsawayfromher.)

DESDEMONA:Maybehe'sstirred,withtheendofthewarandallthat.Afterall,menarefrom
Mars,especiallywarriors.(
Shegetsup,dustingherskirtandshrugginghershoulders
.)
EXITDESDEMONA.ENTERIAGO.

(
OthelloandIagostandlikeabrideandgroombeforethealtar.Backgroundmusic:"Zadokthe
Priest",byHndel.
)
OTHELLO:Doyouagreethatsuchaheartbreakershouldnolongerlivetobreakmoreinnocent
hearts?
IAGO:Ido.
OTHELLO:DoyoufeelcapableofendingthelifeofEnsignCassiowithinthespaceofthese
threedays?
IAGO:Ido.
(
OthellogivesIagoaniceswordandaniceplumedhat,asIagobendsthekneeandkissesthe
general'shands.
)
OTHELLO:Bythepowerinvestedinme,Inowpronounceyoumylieutenant.
IAGO(
kissingOthello'shandsoncemore
):Ishallalwaysbefaithful.Neverbetrayyou.Staytrue
toyouratherthantomyself,comewhatmay.AsforCassio,letmebehisundertaker.The
whoreisallyours.
OTHELLO:Aslongasshebreaksnomorehearts...Idon'twantanyoneelsetosharemyfate...
Patience,Iago,patience!Shallweusebelladonna?Strychnine?Iocaine?
IAGO:No...(
Pause.)
Strangleherinbed.
OTHELLO(
facepalming
):Whydidn'tIthinkofthatmyself?Strangleherintheweddingbedshe
hasstained.(
HetakesIagobythehands
.)That'sbrilliant,Iago.Onlymindthatyouhavethree
daystoprovetomethatCassiodoesnotlive.
IAGO:Thatwillcometrue...longbeforethethirddayisover.
EXITIAGO.
CASSIO(
offstage
):Aaaah!Myleg!Blood!Help!Help!Ineedsomebody!Help!(
Aloudthudis
heard.
)

ACTFIVE

BEDCHAMBERATNIGHT.DESDEMONAANDEMILIA.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:SCHUBERT,
AVEMARIA
EMILIA:Nowmenaremen,andIknowthatthey,asagroup,areratherstupid.Especially
marriedmen.Withafewexceptions.Thatchangeofheartwon'tlastforever.I'msure.
DESDEMONA:Anyway,Ican'tstopworrying.Maybeyou'rerightandhewillbebacktonormal
tomorrow...orsomedaysoon.
EMILIA:SoIhope.Goodnight,Desdemona.
EXITEMILIA.
DESDEMONA:Goodnight.(
Handsfoldedinprayer.)
Fourangelsaroundmybed,
twoatmyfeet,twoatmyhead.
Onetowatch,andonetopray,
andtwotobearmysoulaway.
Amen.(
Shegoestobedandthen,afteralittletossingandturning,shefinallyfallsasleep.She
doesn'tputoutthenightlight,leavingtheroomstillwelllit.)

ENTEROTHELLO.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:HEADHUNTER,FLASHANDTHEPAN

OTHELLO:Putoutthenightlight.Then,putoutherlight.Icanturnthisnightlighton,but...is
thereawaytobringyoubacktolife,monamour?Thereisn't,obviously...HowmuchIstilllove
you...!No,no.Youshallbreaknomorehearts.Yetyouaresobeautiful...HowmuchIwillmiss
you!JustalastkissbeforeIquenchyourflame.(
HekissesthesleepingDesdemona'slips.)

DESDEMONA(
wakingup
):Iknowyou,Iwalkedwithyouonceuponadream...
OTHELLO(
soothing
):Calmdown,mydarling.Iwillnotkillyoursoul...
DESDEMONA:What?
OTHELLO:Confess!Youknowwellwhatyou'vedone!
DESDEMONA:IswearI'minnocentandtrue!
OTHELLO:Then...WhywasCassiowearingthathandkerchief?
DESDEMONA:Ilostit...hemusthavefoundit!
OTHELLO(
irritated
):AndI'mtiredofexcuses!Liar,liar,Iswearyouwereonfire!
DESDEMONA:IswearbytheMagnaCartathattherewasnothingbetweenthatofficerandme.
Andheisawareaswell!
OTHELLO:"Thatofficer"hasjustexpired.Soit'snousetoaskhimforthetruth...whichyouare
constantlydenying!
DESDEMONA(
cries
):Ohno...Heisdead!
OTHELLO(
ironic
):Andyoustilllovehimbeyond...Then,Iwillreuniteyoutwo!
DESDEMONA(
cries
):Mercy!Mercy!Letmeliveuntildawn!
OTHELLO(
enraged
):Unfaithful,dishonest...despicablesnakeofawhore!
DESDEMONA:Letmelivejustforawhile!Mercy!
OTHELLO(
furious
):Shutthegoddamnhellup!!!
(
OthellostranglesDesdemonainafitofjealousrage,andthenhethrowsherbodyonthe
mattressagain
).
ENTEREMILIA,WITHAWOUNDED,REELINGCASSIOLEANINGAGAINSTHER.THE
LIEUTENANTISALSOHOLDINGACRUTCHANDBANDAGEDWITHTHEHANDKERCHIEF.
EMILIA(
surprised
):LordofLight...!Isshereallydead?Haveyou...?
OTHELLO(
calmly
):That'sforhertobreaknomorehearts.
EMILIA:Shewasfaithful!Shewashonest...!
OTHELLO:Iagotoldmetheopposite!
EMILIA:Youhavebeendeceived,YourLordship.Yourassistant,myspouse,hasdevisedallof
thisforrevengefornotgettingthatpromotion.Orforsomeothermysteriousreason.Asforyour
ladywifeandyourformerlieutenant...shewasinnocent.AndheISinnocent.
CASSIO:Emiliaknowsthewholetruth.Iagohasbeenplayingwithus,arathernonsensical
gameofhittingsoftspots.
OTHELLO:Cassio?Alive?AndIago...dishonest?Nowwhatisthetruth?Areweactually
charactersinaplaywhichisbeingparodiedbyaculturedteenagestudent?
ENTERIAGO.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:BEETHOVEN'SFIFTHSYMPHONY.
IAGO:Thiswenchknowstoomuch,andshe'stooextraverted.Ihatetodoit,but...(
Pause
)
Adis
,Milly!
(
HestabsEmiliaintheback.
)
(
Backgroundmusicswitchesto
TheRainsofCastamere.)

EMILIA:Believeme!Thisisthetruth!Iagoisthevillain,Desdemonawasinnocent,Cassiois
innocent,andweallarecharactersinaplay...(
Shedies.)

OTHELLO(
cryinghiseyesout,thoughnotliterally)
:Mybelovedladywife!Bereftoflife...How
sweetlyyousleep,nevertoawaken!WhathaveIdone,LordofLight,whathaveIdone?(
To
Cassio
)Cassio,youareforgiven.Andnowyouarethegeneral,myheirandsuccessor.Hope
yourreigntakesplaceininterestingtimes.EnsurethatIagogetswhathedeserves.The
bloodierthebetter.(
Totheaudience)
SpeakofmeasIam,nothingextenuate.Ofonewho
lovednotwisely,buttoowell.StresstheinternalturmoilthatIfeltwhenIbelievedthatmylady
hadstabbedmeintheback,andgiverantsonthetraitorwhomItrustedfromthestart.(
To
Desdemona'sbody
)Mybelovedladywife!Bereftoflife...Howsweetlyyousleep,neverto
awaken!WhathaveIdone,LordofLight,whathaveIdone?IkissedyoubeforeIkilledyou...so
nowIwillkillmyselfanddieuponakiss!Alastkiss!
(
Hestabshimselfinthesternumwithhissword,fallsonthebed,andquicklydieskissing
Desdemona'scorpse.
)
ENTERTWOGUARDS.
CASSIO(
ToIago
):Thereisnoinsultoffensiveenoughtodescribeyou!Alltheseinnocentsouls
havesufferedand...it'syourfault!Youwillbeexecutedfordisgracingtheregiment!ThoughI
havetoadmitthatthishasbeenagreatstory!Guards!
(
TheguardsseizeIagoanddraghimaway.
)
IAGO:Comeon!Smiteme!Castrateme!Ticklemetodeath!Iwillnotspeakasingleword!

CURTAINFALLS

CURTAINCALL

THEEND

AMORE(MOOR)SERIOUSAFTERWORD

Oneofthereasonswhy
Othello
ismyfavouriteShakespeareantragedyisbecauseithappens
tobeassubversiveasaplayfromthateracanbe.Andthatbecauseofcertaintraitsofthestory
thatsetitapartfromothertragediesandfrommosttropesinclassicalfiction:

Setting:
Inamanifestdeparturefromtheusualcourtlybackdropsofthetragicgenre,
Othello
takesplacewithinalocaloutpostcommunityonthefringeoftwofeudinggreatpowers.The
frontier/fortresssetting,echoingmilitarism,hinterlandprovincialism,liminality,andalatent
paranoiaateveryturn,issignificantlydeviant(frontiercommunitiesandfortressesarevery
rarelystablesettingsorthebirthplaceofcharactersinfiction,andwhentheyappear,theyare
simplyplacestobecapturedbyaninvadingarmy,tobedefendedbytheterritorialarmy,or
stateprisons).Withinthewallsofthiskeep,patriarchycoexistswithfreelove(thefemale
characters,allthreeincrediblyassertive,areimmunetoIago'sdeceptionandrevealit),
organizedreligionwitholdtraditionalbeliefs(theMoonisblamedforbothOthello'slossof
mettleandCassio'sdrunkenquarrel)andevenfreethought(Iagohimself)...andtheuniverseas
beautifulorderdoesnotexist,chaosbeingthefoundationforaneverchangingand
unpredictableexistence.Chaosasapitforsomeandasaladderforothers.

Thereisalso,asidefromtheplace,thetime:apostbellumsetting,peaceandvictoryhaving
comeatlast,butthethreatofthevengefulenemywithoutloominginthedistance...thoughthe
evenmoreperilousenemywithinisstillunseen,andsoontodisruptitall...Thekeywordsareall
there:
"Chaosiscomeagain"
.

Cast:
Fittinginwiththesettinginaperipheral/hinterland/liminalcommunity,thecharactersare
notpreciselyroyaltyandcourtiers.Rather,theyarealloutsiderswithintheedgeoftheirstate
order.Whilealsobeingwellestablished"importantpeople"withgoodreputationsandniches
withinitspowerstructure.Thus,theirpositionsarecontradictory.Throughoutthetragedy,their
reputationsandrelevantpositionswillbeatstake,changingastheirsocialmasksfallandtheir
trueselves,betheygood,evil,oramixofboth,areeventuallyrevealed.

Thethreefemales(thenewlywedsocialite,theexperiencedmiddleclasswife,andthe
soontomarryfiance/courtesan)are,bybeingfemaleinamilitaristicbackwater,obviously
outsidersallthree,yettheymakeupforitwiththeirincredibleassertiveness.Neither
Desdemona,Emilia,norBiancaareafraidtospeaktheirminds.Andallthreeareimmuneto
Iago'stricks,perchancebecauseoftheirgender,theirassertiveness,orbothfactors.

ThemalecastconsistsofIagoandselfmadeoutsiderswho,unlikethefemalecast,are
insecureoftheirtrueselves,theirdoubtscomingtolightwhenIagoshatterstheirexpectations.

Othello,forinstance,isanobviouslyforeignbornandthirdculturewarlordwhohasreachedthe
apexofhismilitarycareerasahappilymarriedandvictoriousgeneralwhoseloveisrequited.

Yetheisactuallyconcealingseriouslatentinsecurity:suspicionsthathislovedonesmayturn
theirbacksonhim.SuspicionsthatIago,littlebylittle,encouragesbyunderminingthegeneral's
trustbymeansofreversepsychologyandaframeup.Until,intheclimax,theoncegreatlordis
nolongerhimself.Whenhesnaps,notonlydoeshebeathiswife,butalsoattackhis"trusted"
righthandIago,andsufferfromsomaticcomplaintslikeparanoia,fevers,orgrandmalseizures.
And,beforestabbinghimself,heburstsintotears,havingalreadyrejectedthemilitary
professionbeforehekilledhisladylove"forherowngoodandthatofothers".

Thenthere'sRoderigo,Desdemona'soldflame,ashyvioletwhorefuses(orratherhates)to
acceptthatshegotaway.AndhebecomesIago'scronytogetherback,whichforeshadowsthe
downfalloftheothermalecharacters.Atfirstbornintothelandedgentry,hehasenlistedtostay
closetoher,nomatterhowoutofhisreachshemightbe,trustingtheensignblindly(ifIagotold
himthatblackiswhiteandwhiteisblack,thisladwouldbelieveit)andfollowinghisharmful
advice(togetthelieutenantdrunkandprovokehim,forinstance)totheletter...until,attheend
oftheday,herealisesthatIago'splansleadtonowhere,thathewasbeingusedbytheensign
allalong,andthusherebels.ItappearsthathavingDesdemonanearandfantasizingabouther
isthecatalysthehasgot...ifshewerewithinhisreach,hewouldhavenopurposeforturningto
Iagoto.Therewehaveinsecurityinlove,tiedtointroversionandwishfulthinking...

Finally,there'sCassio,theonlymalecharacterofimportancewhosurvives:atfirst,heisthe
catalystforalltheeventssincehegotthatrank(moreonthatbelow!).Thearchetypal
gentlemanlyyounglieutenant,heisanoutsiderbeingalearnedintellectualamongmilitarymen,
andhavingobtainedapositionofpowerwithlittleornoeffort.Thoughhehasreceived
approval,he'dalsoliketofitinamongtheotherofficers.Havegotbothapositionandapeer
group.Nomatterifhecan'tholdhisliquor.Likemostyoungpeople,evenoutsiders,he'drather
beoneoftheboysthanastickinthemud.Iago,ofcourse,takesadvantageofthisattitudeto
shattertheyouth'scareerandwrestthelieutenancyfromhim(afterhehasgotdrunkonduty).
Thispartofthescriptrepresentsabrokenstreakinfiction,sinceitportraysanintoxicated
characterasayoungpersonfromtheupperechelonsofsociety.WhichIlovejustforthesake
ofthissubversion!
Regretsensue,butalsoresilienceaftergettingoverdisappointmentand
hopethathissituationmightchange.Intheend,heisforgiven,andhewillbecomegovernorof
theoutpost,thoughwithoutanymilitarydutiesduetohisdisability:asignthathehascomeof
ageafterallthetrialsandasymbolofthelossoflovedones:heisnolongertheinnocentand
selfreliantyounglieutenantwesawgetarankwithsolittleeffortatthestartofitall.

Andweshallnotforget,forbetterorworse,thatthereisIago.WhoisIago?Thingsforsure:he
hatelovesCassioandheisnotcomfortableinthecompanyofladies.Hehashisown
insecuritiesandreasonstodowhathedoes(whatheperceivesasinjustice),buthismaskis
neverbroken.Somesayheisadevilundercover,likeMephisto,whichwouldbetruetoa
certainextent...IagoistoCassioastheWickedQueenistoSnowWhite.Inbothstories,the
innocentvictimheroisrebornafterapparentdeath,whiletheantagonistispunished.Wehave
alreadymentionedwomen'simmunitytoIago'stricks,Addhismasteryofdisappointmentasa
catalystforhisvictims'actions.Andthewayhe"grantswishes":grantingthewishesofthemale

castwhenheisnear(in
DokidokiPrecure,
mostofthevictimsoftheweek,whoseheartsare
corrupted,aresignificantlymaleaswell,andpittedagainstanallfemaleheroineteam!),the
wishesbackfiringandshatteringthelivesofthosewhomadethem.DoesIagograntwishesto
havehisownwishesgranted?Ofcourse.
Somesayheisadevilundercover,likeMephisto,whichwouldbetruetoacertainextent...
whileIseeIagoasamoreorlesschaoticneutral,leaningonchaoticevilcharacter,a
personificationofunreasonnotunliketheNorseLoki,theSpanishDonCarnal,ortheLordof
Misrule.OrtheDevilonTarot(arcaneXV),whichrepresentsthepulsionsoftheid,passions,
unreasonbeyondgoodandevil.Thekeywordsareallthere:
"Chaosiscomeagain"
.Notevil
inademonicsense,yetatempterandatricksterwhotemporarilydisruptsandrevolutionizes
thesocialorder,beforeandduringhisownreignasdefactogovernor,bygrantingwishesata
greatprice...butforwhichreason?Thereisthelieutenancymentioned...butisthisactuallyfor
noreason,Iago'scharacterbeingunreason(theunreasonofwishmaking,ofintoxication,of
insecurity,ofparanoia,ofpassion...)incarnateitself?Mindthathisnamemeans"usurper",
which,inastorywhereidentity,andthelossofit,arethecentralthemes,isthekeywordtoit
all...
Careful the wish you make,
Wishes are children.
Careful the path they take,
Wishes come true,
Not free.
Careful the spell you cast,
Not just on children.
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you..

Conflict
:Asconvenientasitcanbeinatragedywhosesettingisliminalandprovincial,thereis
nostruggleforacrownorathrone(thoughthereistalkaboutusurpers:inlove,withinthe
hierarchy,withinone'sownsystem...),but,rather,foraninanothercontextirrelevant
lieutenancy.
Still,thisisagameofpower,inwhichtherulesaretowinordie(nothirdoptionormiddle
ground),someclaimit'stheirsbyrightandthattheotherisausurper,orviceversa.
Thereismuchtalk,notaboutbeinggovernor/commandant,butaboutbeing
lieutenant
tothis
officer.Notincharge,but
nextinline,
acceptingthecurrentruler'sreign.
Lefttenant
.Oreven"
lovetenant"
,assomeElizabethanspronouncedthisFrenchloanword.
Thereisahomoeroticinnuendoaboutholdingthispositionaswell,foritmeansacertain
proximitytothegovernor.AndIagoisostensiblypreferringthecompanyofothermen.Doeshe
wantthepostforotherreasonsthansocialclimbing?
Ileaveittoyou.

NomatterforwhichreasonsIagowantsthepost,heseesCassioasausurper.Apparently,
sincetheformerisaseasonedveteranandthelatterisalearnedgreenhorn,Iagohasasmuch
ofafoundedclaimasStannisagainstRenly.Addthefactthat,inbothscenarios,theformerhas
woundupintheshadeofthelatter...andwishestostepoutofthatshade,evenifdeathwere
theonlymeans.
WeallknowStannishadamagicalpriestessbyherside...well,Iagobelievesinnogods
(warfareexperiencehassurelykilledhisfaith)butratherinhimself,andthisselfreliance
coupledwithaknackforhittingsoftspotsisworthmorethanalltheclergyoftheLordofLight.
CuethescenewhenhegetsCassiointoxicated,successfullytemptinghisrivalandmakinghim
fall,thentryingtorestrainthefuriouslieutenant,then,ashesobersupandcomesto,tellingthe
ostensibletruthtotheircommandingofficer...
An emotional shock that he is unable to cope with, and even more in that state. Now he is much
more than confused. What had he done to stain his blade, frighten his dear Desdemona, anger
his lord, and lose his rank? Add the ensuing shock to his internal state of recovery... and we've
got the fact that he is completely ruined within. Aside from socially dead. How should he return
to be the one he once was?
This predicament, this identity crisis, is the catalyst for the whole storm of passion to come.
We Swedes have a nice proverb: "One person's bread is another's death", and thus we see Cassio
a devastated ensign and Iago a proud lieutenant. The tables have turned 180 degrees.
And this reversal gives the scheme a nice foundation. Not only has Iago earned more trust of his
general, he also has discredited his rival completely.
...thencheeringupthebrokenyoungofficerandgivinghimthesuggestionthatheask
Desdemonatodefendhiscause.
Thereyouhaveit.ButIagodoesn'tstopatthat,rather,hekeepsontrickingOthellotohavethe
governorathiseverybeckandcall.Theonewhocalledhimself"rightful"isnowactuallya
usurper,notonlyclaimingthelieutenancy,butalsoarelevantinfluenceoverhiscommanding
officerand,thus,thedefactorulershipofthewholeoutpost.

Thatis,untilheisdefeatedbyhismaidservantwifeandthefianceofhisrival,bothofwhich
exposehiswholegambittothelight.Earlieron,atthestartofthefinalactwithallitsdeaths,
Iagocouldn'tputhimselftogethertokillCassio.Hehadearlieronexpressedhowhehates
beingsecondtotheyoungofficer.Yetthereseemstobethisunderlyingtruththat...whatshould
Iagodowhenhehadalreadydonewhathewastryingtoreach?
Asaresult,heevensendsasurgeontotendtothewoundedCassio,whosurvivesexceptfora
legcutoff(metaphorforcastration?)whichputsanendtohismilitarycareer(andputshimback
inplaceasanintellectual,ifyourefusetoacceptthathewillbecomeadisabledand
prostheticlimbedbadasslaJaimeLannister).AddthefactthatIagogivesanaccount(atrue
one?)ofhimselfstandingguardbythesleepingthenlieutenant,sittingontheyoungman'sbed,
ashelaidalegonIago'slapandgavethetraitorakiss.
Yes,Cassiolaidthatsamelegover
Iago'scrotchandthenkissedIago.
Thoughtheyoungofficerwasdreamingaboutbanginga
woman(Desdemona,Emilia,orBianca?)andactingouthisdream.

AndthissamepersonevensucceedsOthelloashisheirandsuccessorasgovernor,whileIago
istorturedwithexcruciatingpain(yetstillmanagingtostoically,ormasochistically,shutup).So,
whileCassiodoeshiscomebackontherulershiparena...Iago,inspiteofhispunishment,has
atleastpartiallysucceededbykillingtheformergovernor,hisladywife,andevenhisown
(Iago's)stupidlovesickcronyandmaidwife(tomakehershutup'causesheknewtoomuch,
yethemanagedtooffherwhenitwastoolateandshehadalreadytoldthewholetruth).
OnlyCassioandBiancasurvive,andwearelefttoimaginetheirmarriagesinceitdoesnot
appearintheplay...itendswithOthelloandDesdemona,andevenEmiliatheallknowingmaid,
dead.AndIagoarrested,swearingthathewillnotbreatheasinglewordabouthisagenda,of
whicheveryoneelse(audienceincluded)butthelateEmiliawascompletelyunaware.Which
purposedidthetraitorhave,andforwhichreason?Thisquestionisleftunanswered.Here,I
havegivenmyownhumbleopinion,whichmayhavebeenIago'srealmotivationormayhave
not.
Allthatjazznotforathrone,butrather(ironicallyandsubversively)foralieutenancy.Which
makessenseincontext.

Afterall,thisisanunusualplay,inwhichwomenactandspeaktheirminds,inwhichmilitary
menareinsecureanddesperatefigureslosingpoweratlightningspeed,inwhichchaosisa
laddertoastrangefellowwhowalksaboutatdaylightandmoonlightgrantingwishesatthe
priceofdisappointmentandregret...Thekeywordsareallthere:
"Chaosiscomeagain"
.
Nothingunusualfromourownpointofview,comparedtothatoftheoriginalStuartera
audience.
Othello
isassubversiveandasattractiveas
GameofThrones
forexactlythesame
reasons.AndwehopethatourfriendsinWesterossurvive,mostofthem,theirordeal.
ThoughtheCypriotfortof
Othello
isclosertoourpresentdayuniversethanWesterosis.It's
alsoasecludedspace,acommunitycrowdedwithinnarrowwalls(toquoteLewWallace),far
moreclaustrophobicandeasiertomap(andthus,tofollowthecharacterswithinthisreduced
space)thanthethousandsofkilometresfromDornetoWinterfellandbeyondtheWall.Infact,
thesettingofOthelloisclosertotheconceptofNobleAcademyorHogwarts.Amilitary
encampmentwithclaustrophobicconfines,whereemotionsandpowerplay,withafarmore
economiccastandspacetimeframethaninWesteros,areequallyintense,andseemeven
morebecausetheyarehereconcentratedratherthanscattered.Andalieutenant'scommission
canbeaswantedandasfoughtforastheIronThrone,thoughatalowerscale.