Othello opened his mouth to cry out but Iago put his hand up. ‘Listen to me. Just watch his gestures.’ Othello opened his mouth agai Not I,’ said Othello. ‘I have to face them. Everything about me, and my clear conscience, will show me to be in the right. Is it them?’ Iago stepped in front of Othello and drew his sword. ‘You, Roderigo,’ he said. ‘Come on, I am for you.’ Oh God! How did she get out? Oh rebellious blood! Fathers, from now on don’t judge your daughters’ intentions on how they behave. Aren’t there spells by which young men and women can be abused? Have you read about such things Roderigo?’

Generous madam,’ said Cassio. ‘Whatever happens to Michael Cassio, he will always be your true servant.’ Why did I marry?’ said Othello. ‘This honest creature no doubt sees and knows much more than he’s telling me.’

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Iago sat down in Othello’s vacated chair. ‘What if I told you I had actually seen him doing you wrong, or heard him say – as there are such rogues who, having seduced some married woman, can’t help blabbing about it.’ Othello sprang up. ‘By heaven, I’ve been trying to forget that! You told me – oh it comes to my memory like the raven visiting the infectious house, boding ill to all in it – he had my handkerchief.’ Iago arrives at Othello’s lodgings, where he warns the general that Brabanzio will not hesitate to attempt to force a divorce between Othello and Desdemona. Othello sees a party of men approaching, and Iago, thinking that Brabanzio and his followers have arrived, counsels Othello to retreat indoors. Othello stands his ground, but the party turns out to be Cassio and officers from the Venetian court. They bring Othello the message that he is wanted by the duke of Venice about a matter concerning Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea controlled by Venice.

Again, she didn’t flinch. ‘You don’t have half the power to do me harm that I have to be hurt. Oh you gullible fool. As ignorant as dirt! You have done a deed…’ You can’t,’ said Iago, ‘even if you held my heart in your hand. Nor will you as long as it’s in my custody.’ Sir,’ said Roderigo. ‘I’ll answer for anything. But I beg you, if this is something you want and have given your consent to, as I almost believe you have, – your beautiful daughter, taken at this late hour by a common gondolier to the disgusting embrace of a lecherous Moor – if you know about it and you’ve agreed to it, then we’ve done you a bold and unforgivable wrong. But ifPlease,’ said Brabantio, ‘listen to her. If she tells you that she takes half the blame for this then I’ll accept it.’ He drew his chair closer to Desdemona’s. ‘Come here, my darling,’ he said, taking her hand. ‘Can you see the person to whom you most owe obedience in this room?’ Iago hadn’t moved. He went, now, and stood before Othello. ‘I see Sir,’ he said, ‘that you’re eaten up with passion. I’m sorry now, that I said anything. You want to be satisfied?’ Iago spoke slowly, as though feeling for the right words. ‘Regarding Michael Cassio, I would swear that he is honest.’ Montano came in leading a group comprised of Lodovico, Cassio, in a chair, carried in by attendants and Iago, guarded by soldiers.