By Christine Harvey and Anna Kidd - Pioneer Drama

By Christine Harvey and Anna Kidd

© Copyright 2009, Pioneer Drama Service, Inc.

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OTHELLO: A TRAGIC COMEDY IN WAY TOO MANY ACTS

By CHRISTINE HARVEY and ANNA KIDD

CAST OF CHARACTERS# of lines

SCENE CHANGER ......................keeps the audience posted n/aRODERIGO ................................in love with Desdemona; 60

friend to IagoIAGO ........................................ambitious and vengeful; 135

has a really good evil laughDESDEMONA ............................in love with Othello 55OTHELLO ..................................General in the army; 91

elopes with DesdemonaBRABANTIO ...............................Desdemona’s father 26CASSIO ....................................ever loyal to Othello 47DUKE .......................................thinks quite highly of Othello 18EMILE.......................................Iago’s long-suffering wife 37MONTANO .................................under Othello’s command 17BIANCA .....................................Cassio’s girlfriend 19EXTRAS ....................................MUSICIANS, TOWNSPEOPLE n/a

SETTINGThe sets for this play should be kept to a minimum. SCENE CHANGER’S signs set the mood from scene to scene so an extravagant set design is both unnecessary and out of keeping with the style of the play. In order to maintain the fl ow and pace of the play, any set changes that do occur should last only as long as it takes for SCENE CHANGER to walk across the stage. Many scenes have absolutely no need for any set at all. The characters themselves can be entirely responsible for set changes. If the director decides to have additional set changers, those set changers should interact and improvise with the characters like SCENE CHANGER does to facilitate the fl ow of scene changes.

PHOTOCOPYING THIS SCRIPT BREAKS FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS

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SYNOPSIS OF SCENESThough Shakespeare wrote his play in fi ve acts, the action here should fl ow continuously.

ACT ONEScene One: A street in Venice near Brabantio’s houseScene Two: A tent in the army campScene Three: The Duke’s palace

ACT TWOScene One: A stormy shore in CypressScene Two: A street in CypressScene Three: A tavern in Cypress

ACT THREEScene One: In front of Othello’s home in CypressScene Two: Othello’s courtyardScene Three: Othello’s gardenScene Four: Othello’s courtyard

ACT FOURScene One: Othello’s gardenScene Two: A room in Othello’s houseScene Three: Desdemona’s room

ACT FIVEScene One: Othello’s gardenScene Two: Desdemona’s room

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OTHELLO: A TRAGIC COMEDY IN WAY TOO MANY ACTS

ACT ONEScene One

A Street in Venice Near Brabantio’s HouseLIGHTS UP: SCENE CHANGER ENTERS holding a sign which tells the scene number and location. SCENE CHANGER smiles as she/he crosses and presents the scene sign as if she/he is Vanna White. (NOTE: At the director’s discretion, SCENE CHANGER can also announce the scene and location at the beginning of each scene.) SCENE CHANGER EXITS. RODERIGO and IAGO ENTER. RODERIGO is crying. IAGO is trying to reassure him that he will fi nd a way to win DESDEMONA’S heart. DESDEMONA and OTHELLO ENTER. IAGO and RODERIGO see DESDEMONA and OTHELLO and hide.DESDEMONA: (Gleeful.) Oh, goodie. We’re home at last. I’ve missed

Venice. It’s so beautiful.OTHELLO: As are you, Desdemona.DESDEMONA: That’s why you decided to marry me.OTHELLO: I am so glad that we chose to elope. Off to the inn, my lady,

for our elopement party!DESDEMONA: Woo-hoo. (Disco dances and OTHELLO joins in.

DESDEMONA and OTHELLO EXIT, running, laughing and dancing. IAGO and RODERIGO emerge from their hiding place.)

RODERIGO: I can’t believe this, Iago. I’m paying you a pretty penny to help me win Desdemona’s heart and now she’s married somebody else.

IAGO: How could I have known that she would run off and marry Othello?

RODERIGO: (Mopes.) How is it that with all my money I cannot buy the love of Desdemona?

IAGO: I’ve always disliked Othello.RODERIGO: Why?IAGO: He always treats me like I’m second best.RODERIGO: (Angry.) Oh, that Moor!IAGO: Recently a position for lieutenant came available. I was

recommended for the position by three great leaders of this city, but he picked Cassio for the promotion instead.

RODERIGO: That dog!IAGO: (Outraged.) Cassio is a Florentine, not a Venetian.RODERIGO: Cassio, that Florentine from Florence.

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IAGO: He knows nothing of practical fi ghting. That counter-caster is useless in battle.

RODERIGO: That counter-caster dog.IAGO: And I’m stuck being Othello’s advisor. What a bore.RODERIGO: What a boorish Moor. (Sobs.) How could Desdemona

love him? Why won’t she love me? With all my money, I’d buy her anything.

IAGO: There is so much favoritism in the army. It is not about the service and merit of the man. I only stay on as Othello’s advisor so that I can get my revenge.

ALL: (Lean ON, say the next line with dramatic gestures. [See PRODUCTION NOTES regarding comedic timing.]) Bom, bom, bom. (Disappear OFF.)

IAGO/RODERIGO: (Turn to each other.) Exactly! (In a menacing tone with dramatic gestures.) Bom, bom, bom.

ALL: (Lean ON, with dramatic gestures.) Bom, bom, bom. (Disappear OFF.)

RODERIGO: Bom, bom, bom! Bom, bom, bom!! Bom, bom, bom!!!IAGO: (Interrupts.) Okay, that’s enough. (RODERIGO gives IAGO a thumbs

up. IAGO faces the AUDIENCE and rolls his eyes.) People who work diligently for Othello are early dismissed. Those who pretend to like him succeed. I am such a one. I am not what I am.

RODERIGO: Huh?IAGO: That means that I am not what I seem.RODERIGO: (Nods.) Oh!IAGO: I have an idea. Go wake Desdemona’s father, Brabantio. Tell

him of the elopement. He’ll be quite upset.RODERIGO: (Confused.) Brabantio will be angry about us waking him

up? Then why would we do that?IAGO: No, he’ll be mad about the elopement!RODERIGO: Right! Good idea! That should put a damper on their

happy elopement party. I shall poison their delight. (Attempts an evil laugh, but it comes out as a goofy laugh.)

IAGO: What was that?RODERIGO: That was my evil laugh.IAGO: Never do that again!RODERIGO: Right. (SCENE CHANGER ENTERS carrying a sign that says

“Brabantio’s House,” crosses, then EXITS.)IAGO: (Points to BRABANTIO’S house.) Here’s her father’s house. I’ll

hide myself. (Hides himself in a spot from which he will be able to lean in and interact with RODERIGO.)


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RODERIGO: Right! I’ll call aloud! (Yells.) Othello and Desdemona are married! They eloped! It’s true! It’s true! Wake up! Cock-a-doodle-doo! It’s true. Cock-a-doodle-doo! Wake up, Mr. Brabantio!

BRABANTIO: (ENTERS, furious and yelling.) What’s going on? Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep?

RODERIGO: (To IAGO.) I told you he’d be mad. (IAGO leans IN and gestures for RODERIGO to concentrate on BRABANTIO.)

BRABANTIO: Is that Roderigo? You fool. You are forbidden from my house. Get away or I’ll report you to the authorities for your disturbance.

IAGO: (Emerging slightly from his hiding place so that only RODERIGO notices him.) Pssst. You’re forbidden?

RODERIGO: Long story.IAGO: Never mind. Tell him about Othello and Desdemona. (Hides

again.)RODERIGO: Right! Hey, Mr. Brabantio, sir. I just wanted to tell you that

Othello and Desdemona eloped.BRABANTIO: (Gasps.) No! This cannot be! My daughter cannot marry

Othello.RODERIGO: It has happened! It is already done! They are married.BRABANTIO: I will awaken the rest of my household. We need to fi nd

my darling Desdemona and bring her back home.RODERIGO: (Perks up, putting his hand in the air and jumping up and

down.) I know where they are. Pick me! Pick me! I’ll lead you to the inn where they are staying. Please pick me! I’ll take you there. Pick me! Pick me!

BRABANTIO: Good man! I’ll be there shortly. (EXITS.)IAGO: (Emerges from his hiding place.) I can’t come with you, although

I’d love to see the look on the face of that dog. But I must appear loyal to Othello. Go on without me and let me know how it goes. (RODERIGO starts to leave, but IAGO stops him.) I want all the gory details when we talk again.

RODERIGO: Right! (IAGO EXITS. BRABANTIO RE-ENTERS as he starts to leave again.) I’m so sorry, Brabantio, for this misfortune. Othello must have tricked Desdemona with his charms and spells. That spell-casting creep!

BRABANTIO: Oh, how I wish I had let you marry my dearest daughter. Then she would not be with Othello. I support you now in your pursuit of her.

RODERIGO: I just hope it’s not too late to change things.

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BRABANTIO: Me too. Pray you, lead on, good Roderigo. (BRABANTIO dramatically points his hands one direction, as if to let RODERIGO go fi rst. RODERIGO EXITS in the opposite direction. BRABANTIO notices RODERIGO went in the other direction and follows angrily.)

End of Scene One

ACT ONEScene Two

A Tent in the Army CampSCENE CHANGER ENTERS, crosses and EXITS with the scene sign. OTHELLO ENTERS while the set is being changed. Once the set change is complete, OTHELLO stands alone, CENTER. (NOTE: SCENE CHANGER and OTHELLO can cross paths during the scene transition. SCENE CHANGER can wave to OTHELLO, and OTHELLO can clear his throat and give only a quick wave before concentrating on strategizing for upcoming battles. [See PRODUCTION NOTES about entrances and exits.]) OTHELLO’S stick-horse sits off to the side. IAGO ENTERS riding a stick-horse and carrying a gift. (NOTE: If IAGO and SCENE CHANGER cross paths, IAGO can yell, “Get out of the way,” or “Watch out, coming through.”) SOUND EFFECT: HORSE WHINNY. He dismounts, places his stick-horse by OTHELLO’S and walks up to OTHELLO. OTHELLO greets IAGO warmly.IAGO: There you are, Othello. Congratulations to you and your beautiful

new wife.OTHELLO: So you’ve heard of my marriage?IAGO: The whole town is talking of it. There are rumors everywhere. It

is shameful how people gossip and pry. On a happier note, I have a wedding gift for you. (Hands OTHELLO the gift.) Open it.

OTHELLO: Thank you, good Iago. (Opens the gift. Pulls the fl ag out and waves it in the air.) A fl ag? How interesting.

IAGO: It’s a symbol of love, I’m told.OTHELLO: Really? How intriguing! What does this inscription say?

(Strains to see the inscription on the fl ag.)IAGO: No idea. Probably something about love. Could say, (Vicious.) “I

hope you choke on a turnip,” for all I know. (Regains his composure.) But I don’t think so. (OTHELLO is shocked and confused by IAGO’S statement for a second. IAGO gives a weak, sheepish laugh. OTHELLO joins in the laughter heartily. IAGO laughs along weakly.)

OTHELLO: How droll! I love your sense of humor, Iago.IAGO: People are speaking ill of you in the city. It upsets me so. They

do not agree with your marriage. And can you believe that Roderigo

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brought Brabantio to crash your elopement party? Roderigo was bragging about it in the tavern. I felt terrible listening to him go on about it. I should have said something. I should have tried to calm him down. I should have stood up for you.

OTHELLO: Don’t worry, faithful Iago. You could not have abated his anger.

IAGO: Are you sure your marriage will hold up? Brabantio will try to split you up if he can, and as a senator he has a lot of infl uence in the community.

OTHELLO: I do not worry about him. I am of more use and have more infl uence. (SOUND EFFECT: HORSES’ HOOVES. IAGO and OTHELLO put their hand to their ear to listen.) I hear someone approaching.

IAGO: Retire. It may be Brabantio coming to harm you.OTHELLO: I will not go. I am not ashamed. I will meet him. (CASSIO

ENTERS riding a stick-horse. SOUND EFFECT: HORSE WHINNY. CASSIO dismounts and puts his horse by the others, pets it, mimes taking grain from his pocket and feeding it, then walks to OTHELLO and IAGO.) Oh, it is good Cassio, my new lieutenant.

CASSIO: The Duke sends for you. There is an attack brewing.OTHELLO: Let’s hurry then. (SOUND EFFECT: HORSES’ HOOVES.

OTHELLO, CASSIO and IAGO put their hand to their ear to listen. IAGO goes to see who it is.)

IAGO: It is Roderigo and Brabantio! Run, Othello!OTHELLO: I will not run.BRABANTIO: (ENTERS with RODERIGO. BRABANTIO rides a stick-horse,

and RODERIGO rides a stick-cow. BRABANTIO dismounts. SOUND EFFECT: HORSE WHINNY. RODERIGO dismounts. SOUND EFFECT: COW MOO. BRABANTIO and RODERIGO, swords drawn, walk up to OTHELLO, IAGO and CASSIO. OTHELLO, IAGO and CASSIO draw their swords.) You, Moor. You tricked my daughter into marrying you. She never even wanted to marry. She rejected all suitors. And then to run off with you, you must have used a spell on her! I will make sure you kick the bucket by my sword. (NOTE: Every time “kick the bucket” is said, the person saying it should make a dramatic gesture, break character, emphasize the line to the AUDIENCE and then resume what they were doing right after.)

OTHELLO: Put down your swords. I respect you, Brabantio. I do not want to fi ght. (Puts away his sword and indicates that CASSIO and IAGO should do the same; they comply. BRABANTIO and RODERIGO reluctantly put down their swords also.)

BRABANTIO: You will pay for this. I will make sure you are punished. I believe that you should be in jail while you await judgment for this offense.

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OTHELLO: I cannot go to jail. The Duke has summoned me. I am headed there.

BRABANTIO: Excellent! This will give me a chance to plead my case with him on why you should be seized and your marriage to my daughter annulled. I will go to the Duke also.

OTHELLO: If you must, you must!RODERIGO: (Tries to be intimidating.) Well, we must! Must! Must!!

Must!!! Big time, must! Must! Must!! Must!!!IAGO: (Interrupts.) Okay! We get the picture! You’re coming. That’s

fi ne.OTHELLO: This should be an interesting journey! (ALL mount their stick-

animals and begin to EXIT. They yell “Heads-up” and “Watch out,” etc., at SCENE CHANGER as she/he ENTERS with the next scene’s sign. SCENE CHANGER dodges the riders as the set is changed.)

End of Scene Two

ACT ONEScene Three

The Duke’s PalaceThe DUKE ENTERS as SCENE CHANGER crosses with the scene sign. (NOTE: If the DUKE and SCENE CHANGER cross paths during the scene transition, he can say, “Good fellow. You’re doing a fi ne job, a fi ne job.”) As SCENE CHANGER EXITS, the DUKE concentrates on his reports.DUKE: (Panics and paces.) All reports say that our enemies are about

to engage Cypress in battle. This is terrible! Ter-ri-ble! (BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, IAGO, OTHELLO and CASSIO ENTER. DUKE only sees OTHELLO and CASSIO. Desperate, he grabs OTHELLO dramatically.) Thank goodness you have come, Othello, my loyal and effi cient general. Our enemies are about to attack Cypress Island by ship. We must prepare. We must… (Notices BRABANTIO.) …oooooh, Brabantio. I did not notice you. What are you doing here?

BRABANTIO: The news of war is unfortunate to hear, but it is not the matter that brings me. My daughter was duped into marriage. I want the duper punished.

DUKE: Of course we must punish the duper. Tell me the duper’s name.

BRABANTIO: The duper’s name is… Othello! (Points to OTHELLO. ALL gasp, except OTHELLO, who waves weakly.)

DUKE: Ooooooh. I’m sorry. We sort of need him to fi ght our war. There is nothing I can do about that.

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BRABANTIO: But he tricked my beautiful, innocent daughter. He cast a spell on her or something.

DUKE: Yeeaaaah, that’s rough. But unless you have proof that Othello acted inappropriately there is nothing I can do. Othello, what say you of this?

OTHELLO: I will tell you, but I would like my dear Desdemona to speak for herself also.

IAGO: I’ll get her. (Yells.) Desdemona!DESDEMONA: (ENTERS, smiling and giggling.) Hey! (Goes into

OTHELLO’S arms. BRABANTIO growls in disdain. DESDEMONA notices her father.) Hello, Daddy. (A bit sheepish around her father, but still happy.)

OTHELLO: I was just about to tell everyone about how we fell in love. (DESDEMONA sighs.) I told her about my great and glorious feats on the battlefi eld. (DESDEMONA sighs again.) After hours and hours of talking, we could not help but have feelings for each other. Now I take every opportunity to tell her how much I love her. (DESDEMONA sighs again. IAGO faces the AUDIENCE and rolls his eyes.)

DUKE: Such words would likely win over my own daughter. Just leave it alone, Bran the Man, and make the most of the matter.

BRABANTIO: Wait! I will not be satisfi ed until I hear my daughter speak. If she says that she met him halfway in the courtship I will leave it alone. Desdemona, what say you?

DESDEMONA: Halfway? I fell head over heels in love with Othello of my own accord. I love you too, father, but my duty is to my husband now.

BRABANTIO: (Infuriated. Yells and screams.) Rotten child! I cannot believe how disobedient and deceitful you have been, running away with Othello to elope without my permission. I do not even want such a daughter around me any longer. (Flings DESDEMONA down.) I disown you, Desdemona. You can have her, Othello. (Pushes OTHELLO toward DESDEMONA and EXITS, angry. OTHELLO comforts DESDEMONA.)

DESDEMONA: (Crying and sobbing.) Daddy hates me.DUKE: He should really calm down. What’s done is done, and there is

no use crying over spilled milk. Where were we? Right! I remember now. Back to the looooooming battle. I am sending you to Cypress Island to bring our armies against our enemies. Othello, prepare to leave immediately.

DESDEMONA: (Pouts.) I wish you didn’t have to go.OTHELLO: Iago’s wife, Emile, will care for you in my absence.

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IAGO: (Evil, but no one is suspicious.) Her life upon my faith, my lord. We will look after her.

DUKE: Good job, Iggy, my man. Let’s go, Othello! To battle! Aaaaargh! (Draws his sword and charges OUT. ALL EXIT except IAGO, RODERIGO.)

RODERIGO: (Whines.) What will I do, Iggy? What will I do?IAGO: (Irritated and about to choke RODERIGO.) Call me Iggy one more

time. I dare you.RODERIGO: But he called you—IAGO: Don’t even!RODERIGO: (Sobs.) But without Desdemona, I will (Breaks character to

say this to the AUDIENCE. Mimes kicking a bucket.) kick the bucket! (Resumes sobbing.)

IAGO: Get yourself together. Be a man! Besides, Desdemona will soon tire of Othello, and then she will look for someone young and rich, like you!

RODERIGO: You think?IAGO: Sure. Why not? But you need lots of money to win her heart.

Go! Get more money!RODERIGO: Good idea! I will sell all my land.IAGO: Wonderful! That should work. You are so smart.RODERIGO: Really?IAGO: Yep, for sure. Now go! (RODERIGO EXITS.) Thus do I ever make

my fool my purse. Now I will get revenge on all. Cassio for being appointed lieutenant, and Othello for doing said appointing. (Laughs evilly.) I will convince Othello that Desdemona has fallen in love with Cassio. He is young and handsome. But it won’t be easy because Othello believes the best of everybody and has no jealousy. I will have to be very cunning. And I am. (Laughs evilly again.) See! Only I can do the evil laugh… because I am evil… like really evil… more evil than anyone! (Laughs evilly and starts to EXIT. As he EXITS, SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with the next scene’s sign, and IAGO bumps into him/her. IAGO abruptly stops laughing and examines the sign that SCENE CHANGER holds. IAGO is confused by it. Finally IAGO shrugs, resumes laughing and EXITS.)

End of ACT ONE

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ACT TWOScene One

A Stormy Shore in CypressAs soon as IAGO EXITS, SCENE CHANGER mimes that she/he is in a storm. SOUND EFFECT: STRONG WIND. SCENE CHANGER EXITS. OTHELLO and CASSIO ENTER and mime that they are also being blown by a harsh storm.OTHELLO: This is a bad storm. It’s an ill wind that blows no good.CASSIO: The enemy ships are destroyed in the wind!OTHELLO: That is very fortunate for us. But what of Desdemona’s

ship? Will it arrive safely in this storm?MONTANO’S VOICE: (From OFFSTAGE.) A sail! A sail!CASSIO: I think that might be their ship now. (DESDEMONA, IAGO,

EMILE and RODERIGO ENTER. They look tired and also react to the storm. The wind stops. ALL are surprised but thankful. They dust themselves off.)

DESDEMONA: Oh, the wind stopped. Yea! (Claps and giggles. Her giggle is childish, sometimes random; it does not usually fi t the mood of the situation nor does it compute as a normal reaction to the circumstances. EMILE gives a funny look when DESDEMONA giggles because of the fl ightiness of it. [NOTE: EMILE often looks confused by DESDEMONA’S logic or lack thereof. But EMILE likes DESDEMONA, despite her ditsy nature, so EMILE’S looks and reactions should not be snotty or harshly judgmental toward DESDEMONA.])

IAGO: Thank goodness. (CASSIO crosses to greet the new arrivals. CASSIO kisses DESDEMONA’S hand.)

CASSIO: Welcome to Cypress, Desdemona. We are so glad that you have arrived unharmed. (DESDEMONA giggles. Then CASSIO kisses EMILE’S hand.) You are looking well, Emile, as beautiful as ever.

EMILE: Thank you, kind Cassio.IAGO: (With disdain.) You are such a fl irt to the sharp-tongued Emile.CASSIO: It is good breeding to kiss the hand of a lady.DESDEMONA: Don’t you think your wife is pretty? (IAGO rolls his eyes.)

Well, I do. I like your wife. She talks with me and walks with me and lets me put fl owers in her hair. And she is as pretty as a peach. Isn’t that why you married her? Because you love her?

EMILE: (Mocks.) Yeah, Iago. Don’t you love me? Isn’t that why you married me, Iago? (NOTE: Whenever EMILE says “IAGO” she pronounces it “ahy-ey-goh” instead of “ee-ah-goh”. This irritates IAGO, and that is probably why she does it.)

IAGO: Don’t mock me, Emile.

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DESDEMONA: (Matter-of-factly.) You should be more kind to your wife. Maybe bring her roses once in a while.

EMILE: (Accusatory and in IAGO’S face.) Yeah, roses.IAGO: Dream on.DESDEMONA: You shouldn’t be so cold to her all of the time.IAGO: Women! Always defending their own.DESDEMONA: Emile is a good lady.CASSIO: (Takes DESDEMONA’S hand.) Well said, Desdemona.IAGO: (Points to DESDEMONA’S and CASSIO’S hands.) Ah, holding

hands! That’s very suspicious.RODERIGO: (Makes dramatic gestures.) Dum, dum, dum!IAGO: Roderigo!RODERIGO: (Whispers, but still makes dramatic gestures.) Dum, dum,

dum. (IAGO scowls at RODERIGO and rolls his eyes. CASSIO leads DESDEMONA to OTHELLO. )

DESDEMONA: There you are, my dear Othello. How I have missed you, my love. (Embraces OTHELLO.)

OTHELLO: Oh, I am so happy to have you back in my arms. (RODERIGO and IAGO make gagging motions.) Let us go, my love. I have so much to tell you. Come, let me show you Cypress. (ALL EXIT except IAGO and RODERIGO.)

IAGO: Look at that. Desdemona is in love with Cassio now. I knew this would happen. I told you. Did I not tell you?

RODERIGO: It did not seem so.IAGO: Didn’t you notice the way they were holding hands and looking

at each other so lovingly?RODERIGO: (Gasps.) You must be right! Cassio must be in love with

Desdemona. He is now my rival also. I must have Desdemona for myself.

IAGO: We will eliminate Othello and Cassio both. Go, Roderigo, and we will discuss my plans later. (RODERIGO laughs a goofy laugh.) Didn’t we talk about that whole laughing thing and you not doing it? (RODERIGO nods and gives IAGO the thumbs up, then EXITS.) Now Desdemona loves Cassio. It will not be easy to convince Othello of this. Othello is so honorable. But I will not rest until he is in a jealous rage that judgment cannot cure. (Suddenly seems confused by his own thoughts.) I myself am starting to fall in love with Desdemona. Curses! And I think that Othello loves my Emile. Does that sound crazy? It does, doesn’t it? Am I going mad? Could be! (Shrugs, then breaks into an evil laugh. SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with the next scene’s sign and bumps into IAGO. IAGO abruptly stops

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laughing and looks angrily at SCENE CHANGER.) You again? Watch where you’re going, buddy! (IAGO gets in SCENE CHANGER’S face, and SCENE CHANGER cowers behind his/her sign and nods weakly and fearfully. IAGO resumes laughing and EXITS. SCENE CHANGER watches to make sure IAGO is gone before continuing.)

End of Scene One

ACT TWOScene Two

A Street in CypressAs the street set pieces are brought on, SCENE CHANGER crosses and EXITS with the scene sign. DESDEMONA ENTERS. IAGO quietly sneaks ON and hides.DESDEMONA: This scene is so short that it’s not even worth

performing. So I’m just going to tell you what is going on. The war is over. My husband, Othello, has become the governor of Cypress. He protects us and we are happy. (IAGO pops out from under the curtains or emerges from a hiding place, such as bushes. [NOTE: If neither a curtain nor a suffi cient place to hide is available, then IAGO could ENTER quietly from behind and just say the line SLIGHTLY UPSTAGE of DESDEMONA. Another option is to have IAGO sneak onstage and pop out from between DESDEMONA’S legs.])

IAGO: (Aside.) But this situation presents me with the perfect opportunity to carry out my evil plan. (Laughs evilly.)

DESDEMONA: (Strains to hear IAGO.) What was that? (IAGO looks shocked that DESDEMONA has heard and noticed him, even though he should be positioned very close to DESDEMONA.)

IAGO: That was an aside. You aren’t supposed to hear my asides.DESDEMONA: (Confused.) Huh?IAGO: Never mind. I didn’t realize you were listening. Can’t a person

have an evil laugh in private? Ahhhh! (EXITS as SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with the next scene’s sign.)

DESDEMONA: (Shrugs and starts to skip OFF, happy, but she sees SCENE CHANGER and waves.) Hello, there. (SCENE CHANGER waves.) Do you live here? (SCENE CHANGER makes a gesture as if to say, “Sort of.”) I just got to Cypress. I love it here. I’m from Venice, but my husband is the governor. (SCENE CHANGER gestures that he/she has to go and points to the sign.) Oh, you have to go? Okay, nice meeting you. I like your sign. (DESDEMONA EXITS, skipping.)

End of Scene Two

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ACT TWOScene Three

A Tavern in CypressSCENE CHANGER crosses with the scene sign. The TOWNSPEOPLE bring ON the tavern set pieces, then sit at the tables. IAGO, CASSIO and MONTANO ENTER drinking lemonade and sit down together at a table. Once SCENE CHANGER fi nishes displaying the sign, he/she has a glass of lemonade with the other TOWNSPEOPLE.IAGO: Isn’t Desdemona a lovely girl?CASSIO: Yes, lovely and modest.IAGO: Let us toast a goblet of lemonade to her.CASSIO: Oh, I cannot. One more glass of lemonade and I will be in a

quarrelsome mood.IAGO: (Aside.) I know.CASSIO: What was that?IAGO: (Angry.) Look! When I put my hand like this— (Puts his hand to

his mouth.) —it is an aside, and you and everyone else on stage may not listen. Okay?

CASSIO: (Confused.) Sure.IAGO: As I was saying, you would not refuse a toast to the lovely

Desdemona, would you? That would be disrespectful.CASSIO: I am sorry. You are right. I will toast to her. To Desdemona!

(He, IAGO and MONTANO raise their goblets and drink the lemonade. CASSIO gets woozy.) That does it. I cannot keep watch tonight. That is too much sugar for me. That lemonade does me in every time. I must go to bed. (Staggers OFF.)

MONTANO: Why did he drink all that lemonade?IAGO: He has a lemonade problem. Haven’t you heard?MONTANO: That’s not good. Does Othello know of this?IAGO: We cannot tell Othello. That would be unfair to Cassio. (MONTANO

nods. RODERIGO and CASSIO’S VOICES are heard OFFSTAGE quarreling. RODERIGO runs ON and hides behind IAGO. )

RODERIGO: Help! Help! He’s after me. Don’t let him hurt me.CASSIO: (ENTERS and tries to get RODERIGO.) I’ll get you, Roderigo,

you little weasel. I’ll get you!MONTANO: (Stands in CASSIO’S way.) Stop, Cassio!CASSIO: Don’t tell me what to do. (Grabs MONTANO and chokes him.)IAGO: (Aside.) This is better than I had hoped.MONTANO: (Looks at IAGO as if he has heard what IAGO said and is

confused by it. IAGO stares at MONTANO, angry.) I wasn’t listening to your aside. I swear I didn’t hear a thing. (IAGO relaxes.)

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OTHELLO: (ENTERS.) What is going on here? (CASSIO releases MONTANO, who also runs behind IAGO. CASSIO falls to his knees in shame.)

IAGO: I don’t know. All was calm and friendly, and then a sudden brawl started.

MONTANO: Yes, it is true.CASSIO: I pray you, pardon me. I do not know what came over me.

Lemonade makes me loopy.OTHELLO: Usually I am a calm person, but this cannot be tolerated.

We are military. We are supposed to be protecting these people, not creating confl ict.

IAGO: I do not want to speak ill of Cassio, but it really was entirely his fault. I didn’t want to say it, but it’s true. Maybe we should excuse him, though. Perhaps Roderigo said something to get him going.

RODERIGO: No, I didn’t—IAGO: (To RODERIGO.) Shhh. (To OTHELLO.) And there is also the

lemonade to consider.OTHELLO: This is an outrage. I love you, Cassio, but I must strip you

of your rank. You are a lieutenant no longer. (ALL gasp.)DESDEMONA: (ENTERS. Yawns and rubs her eyes.) What’s going on

here? I was woken from my sleep.OTHELLO: You see! You woke her from her sleep and probably half the

people of the city. Come, Desdemona, back to bed. Don’t worry yourself. (He, DESDEMONA and MONTANO EXIT. CASSIO buries his head in shame.)

IAGO: What? Are you hurt, lieutenant? (CASSIO looks up as if his feelings were hurt when IAGO called him lieutenant.) Whoops! I forgot you’re not a lieutenant anymore. Sorry about that. (Aside, IAGO laughs evilly.)

CASSIO: I cannot believe how foolish I was. I have shamed myself.IAGO: Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without

merit and lost without deserving.CASSIO: I don’t know why I would do such a thing.IAGO: I’m sure Othello can be convinced to reinstate you.CASSIO: I don’t know. I have acted terribly.IAGO: Go and ask Desdemona to persuade Othello to let you back

into the ranks. She has great infl uence with him.CASSIO: Good idea.IAGO: I know. I’m full of them.CASSIO: I will go to her in the morning. Thank you, Iago. (EXITS.)

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IAGO: (Aside.) Gosh, I’m bad. This is all going so well. I sound so honest. People believe me. Silly, very silly. I love being evil. (Laughs evilly but stops when he notices RODERIGO approaching. RODERIGO cries.)

RODERIGO: (Crying and wailing.) I am miserable. Cassio attacked me, and my money is almost spent. I should take what little I have and return home.

IAGO: No, no. Although you have suffered, Cassio has suffered much more. We’ve almost beaten him. Go to my house and wait for me.

RODERIGO: Okay. I will do anything to get Desdemona. Oh, Desdemona! How I love her. How I miss her. How I dote on her. How I admire—

IAGO: Okay, we get the picture. Now go! (RODERIGO EXITS, wailing. IAGO EXITS soon after, laughing evilly. The TOWNSPEOPLE EXIT, carrying off the tavern tables and chairs.)

End of ACT TWO

ACT THREEScene One

In Front of Othello’s Home in CypressSCENE CHANGER waits until IAGO is OFF, then peeks IN to make sure the coast is clear before she/he proceeds. As the set is changed, SCENE CHANGER ENTERS, crosses and EXITS with the scene sign. CASSIO ENTERS with a group of MUSICIANS. (OPTIONAL: SCENE CHANGER can join the MUSICIANS once he/she has fulfi lled the scene-changing duties.)CASSIO: Okay, I’ve hired you to play some music for Othello. I’m

hoping it will cheer him up so that he will be more inclined to reinstate me. Music always puts me in a good mood. (MUSICIANS nod, then sing a modern pop song. CASSIO moves and grooves to the tune.)

OTHELLO: (ENTERS with his ears covered, looks very unimpressed.) Stop that! Stop that! What is all that noise? I detest hip-hop!

CASSIO: Oh, I love it.OTHELLO: Eeeek.CASSIO: All right! (Gestures the MUSICIANS to stop. They stop singing.

Mimes talking to the MUSICIANS and gestures them to leave. The MUSICIANS EXIT, sad. DESDEMONA, IAGO and EMILE ENTER. DESDEMONA and EMILE talk with OTHELLO. IAGO approaches CASSIO.)

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IAGO: I will distract Othello so that you can talk to Desdemona. (CASSIO gives a thumbs up. IAGO approaches OTHELLO.) Othello, come look at these vines. I think they will have to be cut. They are taking over your house. (OTHELLO and IAGO move to the side and mime looking at vines. DESDEMONA and EMILE talk to CASSIO. IAGO looks at CASSIO, EMILE and DESDEMONA as if he is trying to draw OTHELLO’S attention to them, but OTHELLO is more captivated by the state of his vines.)

EMILE: I’m so sorry for what happened to you, Cassio. You know that Othello speaks highly of you. He didn’t want this to happen. In fact, if you just let this alone for a couple of days, I have a feeling that Othello would reinstate you.

CASSIO: Thank you for the encouragement. I hope you are right. But if I may, I would like to talk to Desdemona in private. I think that she can plead my case also.

EMILE: Sure, if you think it necessary. (Moves away.)End of Scene One

ACT THREEScene Two

Othello’s CourtyardSCENE CHANGER ENTERS, crosses and EXITS with the scene sign. EMILE moves DOWNSTAGE.EMILE: This scene is so small and insignifi cant, that I don’t even know

why it’s here. (Shrugs and EXITS.)End of Scene Two

ACT THREEScene Three

Othello’s GardenSCENE CHANGER ENTERS with the scene sign and a large, comedic pair of pruning shears. SCENE CHANGER gives the pruning shears to OTHELLO. OTHELLO thanks SCENE CHANGER and uses the pruning shears to cut the vines. SCENE CHANGER EXITS. IAGO tries to draw OTHELLO’S attention to DESDEMONA and CASSIO. OTHELLO is too busy trying to fi gure out how to use his awkward pruning shears.IAGO: (Points to DESDEMONA and CASSIO.) Ha! I like that not. How

suspiciously in love they look, or do mine eyes deceive me? You should see what is going on. (OTHELLO approaches CASSIO and DESDEMONA curiously, and CASSIO EXITS before OTHELLO gets to them. OTHELLO seems confused, but not suspicious about CASSIO leaving.)

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DESDEMONA: He is ashamed of himself and his actions the other night. That’s why he left.

IAGO: Hmmm. I’m sure that’s why he left. Not! (DESDEMONA and OTHELLO look at IAGO for a moment, confused by his statement, and then continue their conversation.)

OTHELLO: It saddens me to have to release him from his duty, but I must.

IAGO: It is odd that he ran away so guilty-like upon seeing you come. (DESDEMONA and OTHELLO do not know what IAGO means by this.)

DESDEMONA: Please speak with him. Forgive him. Give him back his rank. Please!

OTHELLO: Not now, sweet Desdemona. Some other time.DESDEMONA: Why, then, tomorrow night. Or Tuesday morn. On

Tuesday noon or night. On Wednesday morn—IAGO: Show a little tact, Desdemona. Gee!DESDEMONA: Please, Othello. Don’t deny me this.OTHELLO: (Sighs.) All right, Desdemona. Tell Cassio to come talk to

me. I can deny you nothing. I love you, and if there came a time when I did not love you, chaos is come. (IAGO makes a gagging gesture to the side, appalled by OTHELLO’S sappiness.)

DESDEMONA: Oh, thank you, Othello, my love. (Distracted by a butterfl y.) Oh look, a butterfl y! Come back, little butterfl y. Come back! (Chases the butterfl y OFF.)

IAGO: How suspicious this all is.OTHELLO: What do you think? Speak your mind.IAGO: I don’t want to say anything. I shouldn’t have spoken.OTHELLO: No please, speak. What is it that I do not see?IAGO: (Feigns reluctance.) I could never speak ill of another.OTHELLO: You are such an honest man. Please. What say you? Give

thy worst of thoughts the worst of words.IAGO: It just seems that Cassio and Desdemona are… are… too…

too… No, I can’t say it.OTHELLO: By heaven, I’ll know your thoughts.IAGO: Beware of jealousy. It is a strong emotion. It is the green-eyed

monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on. (Grabs OTHELLO.) Do not let it take hold of you!

OTHELLO: (Shakes IAGO off, confused, worried and curious about what IAGO is getting at.) Yes, jealousy is an unworthy emotion.

IAGO: Look to Desdemona’s character. (Gestures toward where DESDEMONA left. OTHELLO looks confused. IAGO gets fl ustered for

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only a second before continuing.) Well, anyway, you’ve observed her with Cassio and the way she interacts with him. (OTHELLO still looks confused.) What about her father? She deceived her father in marrying you. Could she not deceive you also?

OTHELLO: (Gets nervous.) I think Desdemona is honest! What else could I think?

IAGO: I don’t know… what do you think? (OTHELLO pauses and thinks for a moment.)

OTHELLO: I think that you and Emile should keep an eye on Desdemona, and let me know what you observe.

IAGO: And may I suggest that you wait to reinstate Cassio. This way you can observe Desdemona and Cassio and see what is what! In the meantime, believe that Desdemona is innocent. She is you wife, after all.

OTHELLO: (Upset, but thankful for IAGO’S suggestion.) Yes, I will do as you suggest.

IAGO: I’m so sorry about all this. (EXITS.)OTHELLO: (Stressed.) Could it be true? If she be false, O, then heaven

mocks itself! (Paces. Visibly disturbed and in emotional and physical pain.)

DESDEMONA: (ENTERS. Happy and playful.) It’s time to go to dinner.OTHELLO: Oh, how my head aches. (Holds his head in pain and

anguish.)DESDEMONA: Are you okay? (Thinks for a second, then has an idea

and pulls out her handkerchief.) Here, let me put this handkerchief round your forehead. It will help. (Tries to put the handkerchief around OTHELLO’S forehead. OTHELLO stops her.)

OTHELLO: (Confused and distracted.) I don’t see how. No thank you, Desdemona. Let’s just go.

DESDEMONA: Okay. (Shrugs, throws the handkerchief over her shoulder and is cheerful again. OTHELLO and DESDEMONA EXIT together.)

EMILE: (ENTERS. Finds the handkerchief and picks it up. Talks to herself.) Oh, Desdemona, you’re always losing things. She treasures this handkerchief. It was Othello’s fi rst gift to her.

IAGO: (ENTERS.) What are you doing, Emile? I told you to go get ready for dinner.

EMILE: I was just…IAGO: (Sees the handkerchief.) That handkerchief! Where did you fi nd it?EMILE: It was just lying on the ground. Poor Desdemona will miss it.

I will return it to her.IAGO: Give it to me.EMILE: I can return it myself.

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IAGO: I said, give it to me, woman. (EMILE and IAGO tug-of-war and argue over the handkerchief until IAGO wins.) You are dismissed. Tell no one of this, or else. (EMILE rolls her eyes and stomps OFF.) Oh, how fortunate! I will plant this handkerchief in Cassio’s house. When Othello fi nds it there, he will think that Desdemona gave it to him as a symbol of her love for him. Yeah! I rock! Go me! Oh, yeah! I’m the best! I rock. (Does a happy dance, but stops when OTHELLO ENTERS. Hides the handkerchief from OTHELLO.)

OTHELLO: I am so sad. I think you may be right. Desdemona may love Cassio. Woe is me!

IAGO: You seem so sad. I should not have told you.OTHELLO: Of course you should. I appreciate your honesty.IAGO: We should wait until there is more proof. There is still a slim

chance that she loves only you. Although… I did overhear Cassio talking in his sleep about loving Desdemona, but I’m sure it was nothing. He was probably just having a dream, after all.

OTHELLO: (Disturbed.) Just a dream indeed.IAGO: And I did see Cassio using a handkerchief spotted with…

with, ah… (Turns to the side and looks at the handkerchief.) …Strawberries! The handkerchief was spotted with strawberries, looking much like the one that Desdemona used to use. But I’m sure that’s nothing as well.

OTHELLO: (Full of rage.) Now do I see it is true. I must have my revenge. I cannot be mocked like this.

IAGO: Patience, patience!OTHELLO: (Angry.) There is no patience in me. I must be avenged.

Desdemona and Cassio must both (Mimes kicking a bucket.) kick the bucket! (Resumes being angry.)

IAGO: (Kneels.) If you must, I will stand by you. I will help you in all things. But let Desdemona not (Stands, mimes kicking a bucket.) kick the bucket! (Resumes kneeling.)

OTHELLO: No. She too must (Mimes kicking a bucket.) kick the bucket! (Resumes character.)

IAGO: (Shrugs.) Okay, if that’s what you think.OTHELLO: (Puts his hand on IAGO’S shoulder.) You are a good friend.

You are loyal and honest. Now art thou my lieutenant. (OTHELLO EXITS, distracted.)

IAGO: (Smiles evilly, surprised but pleased. As he EXITS, SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with the next scene’s sign. IAGO sees and grabs SCENE CHANGER, who is still scared of him.) Did you hear that? I’m the lieutenant now. Yes! (Releases SCENE CHANGER and then EXITS, laughing.)

End of Scene Three

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ACT THREEScene Four

Othello’s CourtyardSCENE CHANGER crosses and EXITS with the scene sign. DESDEMONA and EMILE ENTER.DESDEMONA: I was hoping to meet Cassio. I wanted to tell him that I

think Othello is ready to forgive and reinstate him. I wonder where my handkerchief has gone. I hope Othello thinks nothing of the fact that I may have lost it. (Giggles. EMILE gives a funny look.)

OTHELLO: (ENTERS, faces DESDEMONA and points accusingly at her.) I still love you, but I am mad at what you have done.

DESDEMONA: I’m not sure what you mean.OTHELLO: I am feverish. I need a handkerchief to wipe my brow. Give

me yours. The one I told you to carry with you always.DESDEMONA: I don’t have it with me. Sorry. I know you told me to

always keep it on me, but sometimes I forget.OTHELLO: But an Egyptian charmer gave it to me. It is supposed to

have the power to hold the love of a husband. If you do not have it, then I will not love you. If you’ve lost it, it will mean disaster. There’s magic in the web of it.

DESDEMONA: I had no idea it meant so much to you, nor that it was magic.

OTHELLO: You didn’t lose it, did you?DESDEMONA: Well…OTHELLO: I demand to see it.DESDEMONA: I can produce it, but not at this exact moment. (Ponders

for a moment, then becomes playful towards OTHELLO. OTHELLO and EMILE are confused by her logic.) Wait a second! Are you trying to delay speaking to Cassio? Is this what this is about? I know what you said about being hesitant to reinstate him, but you promised and—

OTHELLO: I need that handkerchief. (Falls to his knees, crying and sobbing.)

DESDEMONA: (Confused, but comforts OTHELLO.) Are you all right? Oh, dear. Oh, dear. What’s wrong, dear Othello? (IAGO ENTERS.) Hello. Othello does not seem like himself today. Perhaps you can cheer him. (IAGO comforts OTHELLO, while EMILE takes DESDEMONA aside to talk.)

EMILE: I wonder why he is acting so wild.DESDEMONA: This could be for many reasons. It is not easy being the

governor, you know. Matters of state weigh on his mind.

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EMILE: He seems… I don’t know… well, kind of like… he’s jealous.DESDEMONA: Oh, no. He is not capable of such a thing. (Giggles,

then laughs, then roars and starts slapping her knee. EMILE gives DESDEMONA a funny look.)

EMILE: I hope you are right. (DESDEMONA and EMILE EXIT together. IAGO comforts OTHELLO as they EXIT. CASSIO ENTERS and takes DESDEMONA’S handkerchief from his pocket. He scratches his head and puzzles over it. BIANCA ENTERS and embraces CASSIO.)

BIANCA: Hello, my sweet, handsome Cassio.CASSIO: Hey, Bianca, my little pookie-poo. I’m glad you’re here. I

found this handkerchief in my lodging. I need you to take out the embroidery for me. I fi nd the strawberries hurt my forehead when I use it. Would you be a sweetie-pie and do that for me?

BIANCA: (Suspicious and jealous.) Did another woman you love give this to you?

CASSIO: Don’t be silly, honey bunny. I only love you. I have no idea how I happened upon it. So would you please do that for me, my precious cupcake?

BIANCA: Sure, snookums, let’s go and I’ll fi nd my seam ripper! (They EXIT together.)

End of ACT THREE

ACT FOURScene One

Othello’s GardenSCENE CHANGER ENTERS, crosses and EXITS with the scene sign. IAGO and OTHELLO ENTER. OTHELLO paces.IAGO: I really think that you should taper your jealousy. So what if

Cassio may have professed his love to Desdemona? It’s no big deal.

OTHELLO: This is a big deal!IAGO: Calm down. Just because Desdemona may have given Cassio

her handkerchief, the handkerchief that you gave her in love and that she promised to keep by her every second, so what if she has forgotten that promise?

OTHELLO: Stop now, Iago! I am so mad with jealousy I do not want you to convince me otherwise.

IAGO: I think that he has even boasted of his love for her and her for him. Boasted of having that handkerchief.

OTHELLO: (Crazy with jealousy.) What? What? Handkerchief… confessions… handkerchief! (Falls to the ground, crying.)

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IAGO: (Aside.) Work on, my medicine. Work on! I love asides! (Laughs evilly. CASSIO ENTERS.) Oh, Cassio, Othello is not well right now. Return later when he is feeling better.

CASSIO: Oh, that is too bad. I hope he is feeling better soon. (EXITS.)

OTHELLO: I saw Cassio was here! Did he confess it? Did he admit that he and Desdemona are… are…

IAGO: How about you listen, and I’ll get him to tell the tale. Hide over there where you can hear everything. (OTHELLO hides behind a bush, but is visible when he leans out of his hiding place. IAGO yells.) Cassio! Othello is feeling better now! (Aside.) I will have Cassio speak of his girlfriend, Bianca, and make Othello think that he is speaking of Desdemona. (CASSIO ENTERS.) Oh, you were too slow. He was here and then he left. But since you are here, I would like to talk to you. How are you doing, lieutenant? (CASSIO looks offended, like he has been stabbed through the heart. IAGO fakes embarrassment.) Oh, that’s right you’re not the lieutenant anymore. I keep forgetting. (Slaps his head, absentmindedly, and then laughs aside evilly.)

CASSIO: (Forgiving.) That’s okay. What did you want to talk to me about?

IAGO: (Loud.) Desdemona! (Normal voice.) I wanted to know if you had spoken to Desdemona about getting her to talk to Othello about your reinstatement.

CASSIO: A couple of times. I hope it works out.IAGO: As do I. Now tell me how your dear (Whispers.) Bianca (Normal

voice.) feels about this. Tell me of how things are going with (Yells.) her.

CASSIO: (Stands forward and professes loudly.) She loves me. She would stand by my side through anything and everything. I say she loves me more than anyone in the whole world, that sweet girl! She follows me around and hangs on my every word.

OTHELLO: (Aside.) Listen to him speak of my Desdemona so boastfully.

BIANCA: (ENTERS, walks to CASSIO with an accusatory scowl on her face and pushes the handkerchief in CASSIO’S face.) Are you sure another woman did not give this to you? It smells like perfume! (OTHELLO gasps.)

CASSIO: No, my darling baby-boo, I told you before. There is no other woman. I swear. There is only you.

BIANCA: Whatever! (Cries and stomps OFF.)IAGO: Ouch. She seems mad! You should talk to her.

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CASSIO: (Concerned.) You’re right! (Yells.) Wait, Bianca, my sugary cupcake. Come back. Bianca! (Continues to yell after BIANCA as he EXITS LEFT.)

OTHELLO: (Comes out of hiding.) How shall I make Cassio (Mimes kicking a bucket.) kick the bucket, (Resumes character.) Iago?

IAGO: Cassio should not have deceived you.OTHELLO: Oh, Iago. The pity of it, Iago. Woe is me! My Desdemona

loves another. I will make her (Mimes kicking a bucket.) kick the bucket (Resumes character.) also.

IAGO: Okay, you take care of Desdemona, and I’ll get Cassio.RODERIGO: (ENTERS.) Here is a letter for Othello. (Hands the letter

to IAGO.)IAGO: Great! (Reluctantly hands the letter to OTHELLO, who turns away

and reads it. IAGO turns to RODERIGO.) What does the letter say, Roderigo?

RODERIGO: (Offended.) I would never read another’s mail. That would be an invasion of privacy. (IAGO stares at RODERIGO, skeptical. Quick pause, then RODERIGO relents.) All right, I read it. It says Othello has to return to Venice.

OTHELLO: I must return to Venice.RODERIGO: See. (IAGO gives RODERIGO a dirty look. OTHELLO EXITS,

and IAGO and RODERIGO follow.)End of Scene One

ACT FOURScene Two

A Room in Othello’s HouseSCENE CHANGER ENTERS, crosses and EXITS with the scene sign. DESDEMONA and EMILE ENTER interacting with each other playfully, but DESDEMONA is more playful than EMILE. DESDEMONA and EMILE sit down in two chairs and brush each other’s hair. OTHELLO ENTERS and interrupts them.OTHELLO: (Furious.) You are wretched, Desdemona. A wretched, fork-

tongued snake. I cannot believe you would do this to me.DESDEMONA: (Stunned.) What are you talking about? How could you

say that to me?EMILE: Why would you say such a thing to your wife? I have always

known her to be a woman of faithful and kind character.OTHELLO: (In EMILE’S face.) Ha!DESDEMONA: Why are you being so mean? I love you.OTHELLO: You love Cassio.

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DESDEMONA: No!OTHELLO: You have betrayed me.DESDEMONA: Never!EMILE: You could not think this, Othello. You are not this kind of

a person. Some horrible, evil person has put this idea in your head.

OTHELLO: (Ignores EMILE and grabs DESDEMONA.) Say you love me, Desdemona, and only me! Look at me and swear it!

DESDEMONA: (Looks at him with love and sincerity.) I vow I love only you.

OTHELLO: (Infuriated. Throws DESDEMONA to the fl oor.) How can I believe anything you say, you deceitful weed? You wretched, wretched fork-tongued weed. (EXITS. DESDEMONA cries. EMILE comforts her.)

DESDEMONA: (Wails and sobs.) Othello is mad at me!EMILE: My husband will solve this. (Yells. Holds and emphasizes the “I”

sound and “A” sound in “Iago”.) I-aaa-go! Come here!IAGO: (ENTERS.) What is it, woman? I’m really busy right now.EMILE: (Rolls her eyes at IAGO.) But this is important!IAGO: (Sarcastic.) Oh, I’m sure it is. Speak, woman. What do you

want?EMILE: Othello just fl ipped out! He accused Desdemona of loving

Cassio.IAGO: (Fakes concern.) Oh, my! Really? (DESDEMONA stops sobbing.

EMILE and DESDEMONA nod. DESDEMONA resumes sobbing.) He has been really weird like that lately. Don’t worry about it, Emile, I’ll talk to him. (DESDEMONA sobs louder. EMILE helps her stand and comforts her. EMILE and DESDEMONA EXIT.)

RODERIGO: (ENTERS, wailing. Between sobs.) This is taking too long, Iago. When do I get Desdemona?

IAGO: In time.RODERIGO: No, I can’t wait. It’s already been too much time. I’m

going to tell Desdemona everything. (Starts to follow DESDEMONA, but IAGO stops him.)

IAGO: You can’t do that. Othello has been called back to Venice. But if Cassio was to (Mimes kicking a bucket.) kick the bucket (Resumes character), then Othello would have to stay here in Cypress and you would have the lovely Desdemona more to yourself. Why don’t you take care of Cassio (Mimes kicking a bucket.) kicking the bucket? (Resumes character.) What do you say?

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RODERIGO: Fine! If you say so, Iago. But something better happen this time.

IAGO: Oh, believe me, something will happen. (RODERIGO and IAGO EXIT together.)

End of Scene Two

ACT FOURScene Three

Desdemona’s RoomAs the set is changed, SCENE CHANGER ENTERS, crosses and EXITS with the scene sign. DESDEMONA and EMILE ENTER. EMILE comforts DESDEMONA, who sobs loudly throughout EMILE’S monologue.)EMILE: Let me summarize this scene, if I may. Desdemona would do

it, but she is too— (DESDEMONA sobs loudly.) —upset! Othello told us to go to bed. I came with Desdemona to her room. Desdemona cried— (DESDEMONA sobs loudly.) —and cried— (DESDEMONA sobs louder.) —and cried— (DESDEMONA sobs very loudly.) —and wondered what was going on with her husband.

DESDEMONA: (Wails.) What is going on with my husband?EMILE: Then I fi nally tucked her into bed, and Desdemona fell fast

asleep. (DESDEMONA snores loudly. SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with the next scene’s sign. She/he gently and respectfully approaches EMILE and points to the sign. EMILE nods and wakes DESDEMONA.) Desdemona, wake up. We have to go. (DESDEMONA wakes, then wails and cries. SCENE CHANGER nods thankfully to DESDEMONA and EMILE, who nods back. EMILE continues to comfort DESDEMONA as they both EXIT.)

End of ACT FOUR

ACT FIVEScene One

Othello’s GardenAs the set is changed, SCENE CHANGER crosses and EXITS with the scene sign. RODERIGO and IAGO ENTER.RODERIGO: Okay, so I’m going to make Cassio (Mimes kicking a

bucket.) kick the bucket! (Resumes character.)IAGO: Good!RODERIGO: Just like you said to do!IAGO: Yes.RODERIGO: Because I want Desdemona to stay here and not return

to Venice with her husband.

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IAGO: Right!RODERIGO: So I’m going to do it!IAGO: Good! Here he comes. Hide! (He and RODERIGO hide behind a

bush.)CASSIO: (ENTERS and crosses to some fl owers. He picks the fl owers

and talks to himself and/or the AUDIENCE.) Look at these lovely fl owers. I think that I will pick some for Bianca. Maybe then she will forgive me. (His back is toward RODERIGO and IAGO. IAGO indicates that RODERIGO should take out his sword. RODERIGO does so. Then IAGO pushes RODERIGO toward CASSIO. RODERIGO sneaks up to CASSIO from behind, then stops and gives IAGO a thumbs up. IAGO rolls his eyes and gestures RODERIGO to advance on CASSIO. RODERIGO sneaks closer to CASSIO and raises his sword. RODERIGO taps CASSIO on the shoulder. CASSIO turns, sees RODERIGO’S sword, and pulls out his own sword. CASSIO and RODERIGO begin to sword fi ght.)

IAGO: Freeze! (RODERIGO and CASSIO FREEZE. IAGO talks to the AUDIENCE.) I’m going to have to censor this scene, although I’d love to give you all the gory details. (Laughs evilly.) But alas, I cannot. (CASSIO and RODERIGO UNFREEZE, drop their tableau of sword fi ghting, and stand facing the AUDIENCE. IAGO yells.) Buckets! (SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with two red buckets and sets them in front of CASSIO and RODERIGO and then EXITS.) Basically, in this dispute, both Cassio and Roderigo…

ALL: (ENTER. ALL except IAGO, RODERIGO and CASSIO mime kicking a bucket.) Kick the bucket! (ALL except IAGO, RODERIGO and CASSIO EXIT. RODERIGO kicks the bucket and CASSIO kicks toward the bucket, but doesn’t actually kick it. [NOTE: Attention should not be drawn to the fact that CASSIO did not actually kick his bucket.] After kicking the bucket, CASSIO and RODERIGO fall down as if dead.)

IAGO: Which suits me just fi ne. (Pretends to be upset and frantic.) Help! Help! Help! (BIANCA and EMILE ENTER.) Look! Roderigo and Cassio have…

ALL: (ENTER. ALL except BIANCA and EMILE mime kicking a bucket. CASSIO and RODERIGO sit up.) Kicked the bucket. (ALL except IAGO, BIANCA, EMILE, RODERIGO and CASSIO EXIT. CASSIO and RODERIGO fall dead again. [NOTE: Dead characters should do this every time “kicked the bucket” is said by the whole cast.])

IAGO: …and I am so sad.BIANCA: (Cries.) My love is gone. My heart is gone. My darling, Cassio,

I cannot lose you.IAGO: Bianca! You were the cause of this fi ght. They were fi ghting over

you!

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BIANCA: No, I had nothing to do with this.IAGO: Doubtful! Emile, run and tell Othello and Desdemona about this

tragic event! (EMILE EXITS. MONTANO ENTERS, grabs the buckets, then EXITS. SCENE CHANGER ENTERS, picks up RODERIGO and EXITS carrying RODERIGO over his shoulder if possible. BIANCA puts CASSIO over her shoulder and carries him OFF as she cries. [NOTE: If BIANCA is incapable of carrying CASSIO OFF, then she can help him OFF as if he is near death, or other actors can come onstage to help her drag him OFF.] Once ALL except IAGO are OFFSTAGE, IAGO EXITS, laughing evilly.)

End of Scene One

ACT FIVEScene Two

DESDEMONA’S ROOMAs the set is changed, SCENE CHANGER ENTERS and crosses with the scene sign. DESDEMONA ENTERS, crying. She grabs SCENE CHANGER as they pass each other and says things like, “I’m so sad,” or “Why are you in my room?” or “My hubby is mad at me.” SCENE CHANGER comforts her a little, then EXITS. DESDEMONA cries as she crosses to her bed. She falls asleep instantly and snores. OTHELLO ENTERS and shakes DESDEMONA awake.OTHELLO: Awake! I know everything. I know about you and Cassio! I

know that you love him and gave him your handkerchief.DESDEMONA: No! None of that is true!OTHELLO: Well, Cassio has…ALL: (ENTER and, except for OTHELLO and DESDEMONA, mime

kicking the bucket.) Kicked the bucket! (ALL except OTHELLO and DESDEMONA EXIT.)

OTHELLO: What do you think of that?DESDEMONA: (Shocked.) No! This cannot be. Not our noble Cassio!

(Cries.) How could this happen to such a good man? Poor, poor, Cassio! (Sobs louder and louder, which infuriates OTHELLO.)

OTHELLO: You cheating snake. You do love him! You say you don’t, but you do. You liar! I will not stand for this. (Yells.) Bucket! (SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with a red bucket and places it in front of DESDEMONA, then EXITS. DESDEMONA is scared and confused. OTHELLO walks behind DESDEMONA and places his hands on her neck as if to choke her.) So by my hand, Desdemona will…

ALL: (ENTER and, except for OTHELLO and DESDEMONA, mime kicking a bucket.) Kick the bucket! (ALL except DESDEMONA and OTHELLO EXIT. DESDEMONA kicks the bucket and falls down, dead. OTHELLO


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sobs over DESDEMONA’S body. EMILE ENTERS and sees OTHELLO crying over DESDEMONA’S body.)

EMILE: (Shocked and horrifi ed.) What is this? What has happened?OTHELLO: By my hand Desdemona has…ALL: (ENTER and, except for EMILE, DESDEMONA and OTHELLO, mime

kicking the bucket. DESDEMONA sits up.) Kicked the bucket! (ALL except EMILE, OTHELLO and DESDEMONA EXIT. DESDEMONA lies back down.)

OTHELLO: Because she lied and loved Cassio and gave him a handkerchief.

EMILE: No. That is not true! Desdemona would never do those things.

OTHELLO: Yes, your husband said so.EMILE: What! My husband? (Is confused, then very angry. Yells. When

she says “Iago,” she holds and emphasizes the “I” and “A” sounds more than ever.) Iii-aaaa-gooo!

IAGO: (ENTERS, oblivious to OTHELLO’S presence.) What is it, Emile? I thought I told you not to bother me anymore. I said I would talk to Othello about Desdemona and… (Notices OTHELLO and DESDEMONA’S body. IAGO starts to EXIT, but EMILE grabs him by the scruff of the neck.)

EMILE: Did you put false ideas in Othello’s head?IAGO: What? No! (EMILE stares at IAGO.) Well, I… sort of… maybe…EMILE: (To OTHELLO.) Desdemona is innocent. You can’t believe

anything Iago told you. Iago found that handkerchief. Desdemona never loved Cassio. Iago lied.

IAGO: Oooo! I’ll get you for ruining my plans! (Advances on EMILE, wielding a knife. Yells.) Bucket! I need a bucket! (SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with a red bucket and places it in front of EMILE, then EXITS.) And now, Emile…

ALL: (ENTER and, except EMILE, mime kicking a bucket. DESDEMONA sits up.) Kicks the bucket! (ALL except OTHELLO, IAGO, EMILE and DESDEMONA EXIT. DESDEMONA lies back down.)

EMILE: But not before saying, Desdemona has always been true to you, Othello. (Kicks the bucket and falls down, dead.)

OTHELLO: (Yells.) Bucket! Give me a bucket! Give me a bucket! (SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with a red bucket, gives it to OTHELLO, then EXITS.) I will make Iago kick this bucket! (Chases IAGO, yelling “kick this bucket, kick this bucket.” IAGO yells “No.” Finally, OTHELLO catches IAGO and holds him. BIANCA ENTERS.)

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BIANCA: (Holds up letters.) Look at all these letters found in Roderigo’s pocket. They tell of a plot he had with Iago to destroy you, Othello!

OTHELLO: Why have you done this?IAGO: From this time forth, I shall never speak a word.ALL: (ENTER. ALL except IAGO say the next line.) Thank goodness.

(ALL make a big gesture then, ALL except OTHELLO, IAGO, BIANCA, EMILE and DESDEMONA, EXIT. CASSIO ENTERS and ALL still onstage gasp.)

CASSIO: Wait! I didn’t kick the bucket. I almost did, but didn’t!OTHELLO: Cassio, I’m so happy you are all right. I have wronged you. I

must lose my command. You are now the governor of Cypress.CASSIO: First then, I will sentence Iago to be tickled tortured until

he…ALL: (ENTER and mime kicking a bucket.) Kicks the bucket! (ALL except

DESDEMONA, OTHELLO, IAGO, EMILE, CASSIO and BIANCA EXIT.)IAGO: Noooo! (BIANCA pulls IAGO OFF, taking OTHELLO’S bucket with

her. IAGO laughs like he is being tickled for a while until a bucket is kicked onstage. ALL gasp. After a moment of silence, CASSIO crosses to OTHELLO.)

CASSIO: Othello, it saddens me that you are going to lose all that you have. Does it really have to end this way for all of us? It’s all so depressing.

OTHELLO: Unfortunately, this is a tragedy, and this is how tragedies end. Tragically.

CASSIO: I guess so.ALL: (ENTER. DEAD CHARACTERS stand up.) The end! (ALL make a

big gesture, then LIVE CHARACTERS EXIT. DEAD CHARACTERS fall on the stage dead so that only dead bodies remain onstage. SCENE CHANGER ENTERS with a sign that says, “Bows.” SCENE CHANGER taps the shoulders of each of the DEAD CHARACTERS and shows them the sign. As SCENE CHANGER does this, each DEAD CHARACTER nods in recognition, dusts him/herself off, and EXITS. SCENE CHANGER comes forward for his/her bow once the stage is clear of dead bodies. The curtain call continues from there.)

End of Play

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PRODUCTION NOTES

PROPERTIESONSTAGE, ACT ONE, Scene One: Entranceway (either a window or door

for Brabantio’s house) and two hiding places such as tree, plant or rock.

BROUGHT ON, ACT ONE, Scene One:Scene sign, sign that says “Brabantio’s House” (SCENE

CHANGER)ONSTAGE, ACT ONE, Scene Two: Small table with maps and battle

plans, stick-horse.BROUGHT ON, ACT ONE, Scene Two:

Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)Swords in belts or sword sheaths (OTHELLO, IAGO, CASSIO,

BRABANTIO, RODERIGO)Stick-horses (IAGO, CASSIO, BRABANTIO)Flag in a gift box (IAGO)Stick-cow (RODERIGO)

ONSTAGE, ACT ONE, Scene Three: Small table with maps and battle plans on it. (Can be the same table used in previous scene either moved or changed in some way to establish a new location.)

BROUGHT ON, ACT ONE, Scene Three:Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)Sword (DUKE)

BROUGHT ON, ACT TWO, Scene One:Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)

BROUGHT ON, ACT TWO, Scene Two:Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)

ONSTAGE, ACT TWO, Scene Three: Small tables and chairs.BROUGHT ON, ACT TWO, Scene Three:

Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)Goblets (IAGO, CASSIO, MONTANO, TOWNSPEOPLE)

ONSTAGE, ACT THREE, Scene One: Wall with vines.BROUGHT ON, ACT THREE, Scene One:

Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)Instruments and/or microphones, etc. (MUSICIANS)

ONSTAGE, ACT THREE, Scene Two: Wall with vines, bench.BROUGHT ON, ACT THREE, Scene Two:

Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)ONSTAGE, ACT THREE, Scene Three: Wall with vines, bushes,

fl owers.

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BROUGHT ON, ACT THREE, Scene Three:Scene sign, large pruning shears (SCENE CHANGER)Handkerchief (Desdemona)

ONSTAGE, ACT THREE, Scene Four: Wall with vines, bench.BROUGHT ON, ACT THREE, Scene Four:

Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)Handkerchief (CASSIO)

ONSTAGE, ACT FOUR, Scene One: Wall with vines, bench.BROUGHT ON, ACT FOUR, Scene One:

Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)Handkerchief (BIANCA)Letter (RODERIGO)

ONSTAGE, ACT FOUR, Scene Two: Two chairs.BROUGHT ON, ACT FOUR, Scene Two:

Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)Hair brushes (DESDEMONA, EMILE)

ONSTAGE, ACT FOUR, Scene Three: Pillow and blanket or a bed.BROUGHT ON, ACT FOUR, Scene Three:

Scene sign (SCENE CHANGER)ONSTAGE, ACT FIVE, Scene One: Wall with vines.BROUGHT ON, ACT FIVE, Scene One:

Scene sign, two red buckets (SCENE CHANGER)Swords in belts or sheaths (RODERIGO, CASSIO)

ONSTAGE, ACT FIVE, Scene Two: Pillow and blanket or a bed.BROUGHT ON, ACT FIVE, Scene Two:

Scene sign, three red buckets, sign that says “Bows” (SCENE CHANGER)

Knife (IAGO)Letters (BIANCA)

SOUND EFFECTSHorse whinny, horse hooves, cow moo, blowing wind.

DOUBLE CASTINGThis cast can consist of as few as eight actors. SCENE CHANGER can play smaller roles. The DUKE, MONTANO and BIANCA can be played by one actor, and another actor can play both EMILE and BRABANTIO. This is just one approach. There are other ways of combining these characters.


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MELDING SCENESSome of the scenes have characters exiting and re-entering, as was the case in the original Shakespearean script. The director can alternatively choose to meld scenes without having anyone exit. One way to do this is by splitting up the stage into different settings and having characters in their area silently acting while on the other side of the stage the new scene commences. This approach is especially effective when one setting is used for two scenes separated by a short scene elsewhere, as in Act Three.

ENTRANCES AND EXITSThere are many fun opportunities for actors to improvise in character during entrances and exits. This will not only bring up the energy of the performance, but it will also help the continuous fl ow between scenes. For instance, when characters exit together, they should do so talking about what has just happened or what they plan to do next. There are also multiple opportunities for interaction with the Scene Changer to add to the humor and energy of the show.

COMEDIC TIMINGThe script requires the cast to have impeccable focus and timing. There is a lot of slapstick and verbal humor that requires everyone to be on cue. Special time and attention should be given during rehearsal time to how to say “Kick the bucket” and other lines spoken as a group. Whether the characters are saying it onstage, jumping in from offstage or sitting up from a dead position, it requires a great deal of practice in order to unify the cast.

RACISMThe issues of race and racism are not mentioned in this script, except for a couple times in the fi rst two scenes of the play when OTHELLO is called a Moor. OTHELLO could be cast as any ethnicity and this play would still be effective.

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By Christine Harvey and Anna Kidd - Pioneer Drama