Othello: The 30-Minute Shakespeare. William Shakespeare
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(steps downstage; addresses audience)
If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense
As my young mistress’ dog.
Enter CASSIO, RODERIGO, MONTANO, and SOLDIERS from stage right, holding goblets.
CASSIO
To the health of our general!
ALL drink. CASSIO drinks quickly and refills his cup.
MONTANO
I am for it, lieutenant; and I’ll do you justice.
IAGO
O sweet England!
ALL (singing)
And let me the cannikin clink, clink
And let me the cannikin clink.
A soldier’s a man,
O man’s life’s but a span,
Why, then let a soldier drink
Why, then let a soldier drink!
IAGO
Some wine, ho!
CASSIO (pours more wine for himself)
Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.
Do not think, gentlemen. I am drunk: this is my
ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left:
I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and
speak well enough.
Exit CASSIO stage left.
IAGO (aside, to RODERIGO
How now, Roderigo!
I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.
Exit RODERIGO stage left.
RODERIGO (from offstage)
Help! Help!
Enter RODERIGO, chased by CASSIO.
CASSIO
’Zounds, you rogue! You rascal!
A knave teach me my duty! (strikes RODERIGO)
MONTANO
Nay, good lieutenant; I pray you, sir, hold your hand.
CASSIO
Let me go, sir, or I’ll knock you o’er the mazard.
MONTANO
Come, come, you’re drunk.
CASSIO
Drunk!
CASSIO and MONTANO fight; MONTANO is injured.
IAGO (aside, to RODERIGO
Away, I say, go out; and cry a mutiny!
Exit RODERIGO stage rear.
SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #2 (“Ringing bell”).
Enter OTHELLO and DESDEMONA from stage rear.
OTHELLO
What is the matter here?
Are we turn’d Turks? Honest Iago,
Speak, who began this?
IAGO
I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio;
But men are men; the best sometimes forget.
OTHELLO
I know, Iago,
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee;
But never more be officer of mine.
Exit OTHELLO and DESDEMONA stage rear. Exit ALL but IAGO and CASSIO stage right.
CASSIO (falls to his knees)
Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my
reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself,
and what remains is bestial.
IAGO (helps Cassio to his feet)
As I am an honest man, I’ll tell you what you shall
do. Our general’s wife is now the general: confess
yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you
in your place again.
CASSIO
You advise me well. In the morning I will beseech
the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me: Good
night, honest Iago.
Exit CASSIO stage right.
IAGO (walks downstage center, addressing audience)
Whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear,
That she repeals him for her body’s lust;
So will I turn her virtue into pitch;
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all.
Exit IAGO stage right.
STAGEHANDS remove table, then set two chairs, one stage right and one stage left, slightly facing each other.
Cyprus. The garden of the castle.
Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.
NARRATOR
Desdemona pleads for Cassio’s reinstatement while
Iago causes Othello to doubt Desdemona and her
friendship with Cassio. Keep an eye out for a very
important handkerchief.
Exit NARRATOR stage right.
Enter