HereisaparodyofmyfavouriteShakespeareandramathatIoncewrotebyhand,backinmymidteens.Ihadthepurposeofsharingitwithallofyoureaderssomeday,andhereitis!Formoreinformation,Ihaveupdatedthisrewritingwithmorereferencesthantheoriginalhandwrittenplayhad,

THETRAVESTYOFOTHELLOAMOORTHANBLOODYDRAMAIN"FOOR"ACTS(PLUSONE,THATMAKESFIVEACTS)WRITTENBYWILLIAMSHAKESPEAREoriginalscriptSANDRAE.DERMARKsummarySANDRAE.DERMARKadaptation(aswell)DRACOMALFOYFANLISTINGsupportLUNALOVEGOODFANLISTINGsupport(aswell)"THERAGEOFCASTAMERE"LANNISTERFANGROUPsupport(evenmore)NORDENSARKmooseOYSHOpyjamasNSC@FcoffeeSPONSOREDBYREDCOW,givesyouwings.HAINEKEN.GENERALELECTROCUTION."THERAGEOFCASTAMERE"LANNISTERFANGROUP.KRPTIA.STARRING(DRAMATISPERSONAE)OTHELLOtalldarkgeneral.CASSIOhonestlieutenant.IAGOnotsohonestensign.DESDEMONAOthello'sbelovedladywife.EMILIADesdemona'smaidservant,marriedtoIago.ThestorytakesplaceinanoutpostsomewhereonNorthernCyprus,inthelatesixteenthorearlyseventeenthcentury.ANNOTATION:"Lieutenant"shouldalwaysbepronounced"leftenant"inthisplay.UPWITHTHECURTAIN!

ACTONESCENE1:INTHECOURTYARD.OTHELLO,IAGO,CASSIO.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:BLACKADDERTHEMESONGOTHELLO:Andthus,IpromotehopefulyoungCassiototherankofLieutenant...(HegivesCassioafineswordandaniceplumedhat).IAGO(tohimself):Ihavefoughtbyhissideincountlessbattles,onthefrontlineitself,riskinglifeandlimbbyhisside,andyet...(Pause.)Thatfrillylittleupstart...hasjustusurpedtherankwhichisminebyright!Heshouldratherdie!Er...Whynot?(Hegivestheaudienceameandeathglare)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.)ACTTWOSCENE1:EVENINGINTHECOURTYARD:OTHELLO,DESDEMONA,ANDCASSIO.OTHELLO(Totheaudience,loudlyandconfidently):Rejoice!Thewarisover!Theenemyisnomore!Thesearenowdaysofvictoryandpeace!(ToCassio)Lieutenant,youshallbeonguarddutytonight.CASSIO(saluting):Yes,sir!Iwilldomybest!(OthellotakesDesdemonabythehandandbothofthemwalkoffstageholdinghands,lockingeyes,andcooing.Cassiostandsatattention).ENTERIAGO.IAGO(approachingCassio):HeyLieutenant!Sowegotthiskegger,anditmustsurebedulltostandthereallnightlongonyourown.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'sseeifmysystemcanholdit!ENTERTHREEORFOUROFFICERSMORE,CARRYINGSHOTGLASSESANDLIQUOR.INTHEBACKGROUND,"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!Skl!(Heraiseshisglass,andsodoallothers,andtheyclinkanddraintheirglasses.IncludingCassiothistime).CASSIO(nowcheerfulandoverthetop):Iago!Couldn'tyouhavechosenaless...vulgarsong?IAGO:Sorry,Lieutenant.I'monlyacritic.Anyway,you'reincharge.Soifyouwouldratherbepleasedwithsomemore...courteouslyrics,let'sseewhatIcanfind!(Pause)Aha!(gettingonthetable,pouringeachofficerathirddrink,singingoncemore):Themorewearetogether,together,together,themorewearetogether,themerrierweget.IfIammerry,thenyouaremerry.Ifyouaremerry,thenIammerry.Themorewearetogether,themerrierweget!Skl!(Heraiseshisglass,andsodoallothers,andtheyclinkanddraintheirglasses.IncludingCassiothistime).IAGO(tooneoftheotherofficers):Nowwe'vegothim,Roderigo!CASSIO:I'msoexcited!!I'veneverhadabettertimeinmylife!!IAGO(stillonthetable,pouringeachofficerafourthdrink,thenclearinghisthroatandsingingoncemore):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!Skl!(Heraiseshisglass,andsodoallothers,andtheyclinkanddraintheirglasses,includingCassio).CASSIO(stillecstatic,nowwithslurredspeech,reachinghisshotglasstoIago):Thissongwasthebestonesofar!(Pause)Iago...whyistheroomreeling?IAGO(saunteringoffthetable):Afifthone,Lieutenant?CASSIO:Ifitgivesmoreelation...(Iagopourshimafifthshot)IAGO(singing,raisinghisglassforthefifthtime):Ifyouthinkthegrave'stoodeepanddire,whynottakeadraughtofliquidfire?Thenanother,athird,makeitfour,makeitfive...andyou'llfeelmorealive!Skl!(Theofficersclinkglassesforanothertime,andCassio'sfifthglasssharesthefateofallthepreviousones.Then,thelieutenantnearlyfallsheadfirstonthetable).IAGO(helpingCassiotogetup):Lieutenant...?Areyoualright?CASSIO(slurred):Ofcourse,Iago...Tsk!Didyoujustnudgeyourcommandingofficer!!??(Hedrawssteelandstartstoswishhisswordalloverthecourtyard,staggeringandeventuallywoundingIagointherightarm.Backgroundmusic:"Vltava",Smetana)CASSIO:Youtwuebashtard!IAGO:Lieutenant!Lefteeenant!Waituntilthegeneralseesthis!(Totheotherofficers)Thelieutenantisberserk!!Pleasehelpmerestrainhim!(TheotherofficersseizeCassio,whofallsunconsciousanddropshisbloodstainedsword).ENTERGENERALOTHELLO,FOLLOWEDBYHISDESDEMONA.BOTHARERUMPLED,STILLINTHEIRNIGHTCLOTHES,WITHMESSYHAIR.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:SARKA,SMETANAOTHELLO(stern):WhatonEarthisgoingon?HaveweallturnedTurks?OrDornish?Orwhatever...?LieutenantCassio,couldyouexplainallthis?CASSIO(comingto,lightheadedandconfused):Eh...?OTHELLO(stern):Hisbladeisstainedwithblood,andhereekslikeadrunkard...(Pause.)Thisisawarzone,andwehavejustreachedafragilepeacethatwethoughtneverwouldcome.Everyonewithinthesewallsisstillonedgeafterthewar,andthisyoungofficerwassupposedtobeonguardduty...(Pause.)EnsignIago,myoldfriendandbrotherinarms,couldyougiveanexplanation?IAGO:Let'ssee.Thelieutenanthereisareallygoodandreliableyoungfellow,ifitweren'tforhisliquidcourageissues.SoItriedtostophim,butinvain.Hegotcompletelywasted,andthenhewentberserk.Wetriedtostophisrampage,andI'mproudtosaywehavesucceeded.Anyway,nobody'sperfect,noteventhePopeisinfallible,sowhyshoulditbeayounglieutenant?Whyshouldhenot,likesomanyyoungsters,drinkhimselfoutofreasonandlosecontrolofhimself?OTHELLO(stern,lookingatCassio):You'veevenstartledmydearladyfair...I'msorry,Cassio.ThoughIloveyou,youwillnevermakealieutenant.You'refired.(HetakesCassio'sswordandhishat,andgivesthemtoIago).

EXITOTHELLO.IAGOANDCASSIOSITDOWNONADJACENTCHAIRS.IAGO(sarcastic):Areyouhurt...Lieutenant?CASSIO(stillwiththathangover):Nyes...IAGO(concerned):Iseenophysicalinjury,soitmustbesomethingdeeper.(TouchingthemiddleofCassio'schest,wheretheheartis).Thislooksveryserious,Lieutenant.(Shakeshishead.Pause.)Tellme,honestly,whatyoufeel.Whereintheredoesithurtyou?Yourcareer?Yourreputation?(Pause.)Anyway,whatisacareer?Whatisareputation?(Shrugginghisshoulders.)Muchadoaboutnothing!CASSIO(stillhungover,sarcastic,cleaninghisbladewithadampcloth):Goodadvicefromarankertoanofficer.IAGO(cheerful):Anyway,Lieutenant,inmyownhumbleopinion,youngpeopleshouldletdowntheirhaireverynowandthen.Ifsomething'sofflimits,thatdoesn'tmeanit'stheendoftimesifyoudaretotryit.Lieutenant,weallhavelearnedmostthethingsweknowthroughtrialanderror.(Pause.)Nowtrytorememberwhathappenedlastevening.Anyway,howmuchliquorwentunderyourbelt?Howstrongwasit?Andwhywereyouswishingyourswordallovertheplace?CASSIO(stilldepressedandhungover,cleaninghisblade):IfonlyIcouldremember!(Pause.)Iago,totellyouthetruth,myrecollectionsoflasteveningareratherhazy.SoherearethefewpiecesofthepuzzleIcanputtogether.(Pause.)IhaveIdon'tknowhowmanydrinks,strongdrinks,withothermeninuniform.Then,Isuddenlyflareup,Idon'tknowwhy,andwearechasingeachother.Andthen,fightingeachother.Thatotherperson,whomusthavebeenahe...Ineversawhisface,buthischestwasflatasatable...bringsmedownonthefloor,andthenthelightsgoout...Imusthaveshutmyeyes...andthenIwakeupwithathrobbinghead,aheavyheart,andanirrationalurgetothrowup.HisLordshipandHerLadyshiparestandingbeforeme.Andyouaretheretoo,bleedingandinpain.Butwhatshocksmethemostisseeingmyswordallbloodstained.Here,Iago.Youwouldn'tbothertohaveatraitor'sbloodonyourbandage?Besides,yourwoundswillhealsoonerthanmine.(Havingwipedhisswordclean,hegivestheclothtoIago,whobandageshisrightarmwithit.)IAGO(ashebandageshisrightarm):Why,Idon'tcare,Lieutenant!Still,Ithinkitwasashame,andagreatshame,towastesogoodsteelonyourownsubordinates.CASSIO(stilldepressedandhungover):It'smorethanashame!Drunk?Adrunkenlieutenant?Reeling,faltering,staggering?Onewhodrawssteelagainsthisownshadow?(Pause.)Onenaiveenoughtoletin,throughhispartedlips,ausurperwhoclaimedreason'sthrone?(Pause.)Howstrange!Howfoolish!ShouldnothaveoverestimatedhowmuchIcanhold!EveryglassIdrainedcontainedaregimentforacoupd'tat...forthesuccessfulcoupoftheusurperwhoclaimedreason'sthrone!IAGO(encouragingCassio):Aw,Lieutenant!Nowyou'velearnedyourlesson:drinklessliquornexttimeandprovethatyou'reresponsible!Keepcalmandcarryon!Ifthegeneralhadyoufired,Ibethisspousecouldhaveyoureinstated.CASSIO(embracingIago):Thanks,Iago!SeeyouwhenI'vemether!(HewavesIagogoodbye.)EXITCASSIO.

IAGO(totheaudience):Andthisisonlyhalfthebattle.Theclimaxisuprightnow!Let'ssee.Ihavealreadyensnaredtwoofthem,andsoonthethirdwillbetrappedaswell...NowwhodarestoguessIplaythevillainonthisstage?THESUNRISES.ACTTHREEINAFRENCHGARDEN.DESDEMONAANDCASSIO.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:"EVERYTHINGIDO,IDOITFORYOU."DESDEMONA:Trustme,Lieutenant.Justhavefaithinme.I'lltalktohimaboutyouatthetable,inbed,inthecourtyard...evenintheprivy.(ShechucklesandtakesCassiobythehand.)Intheend,he'llbesoannoyedthatyouwillsurelygetyourrankback.CASSIO:Icannotbethankfulenough.Eh...Thegeneraliscoming!Rememberthepromiseyoumade!EXITCASSIO,LOOKINGOVERHISSHOULDER.ENTEROTHELLO,FOLLOWEDBYIAGO.DESDEMONA(toherhusband):IwishtointercedeforthesakeofLieutenantCassio.He'ssosorryforwhathe'sdone!OTHELLO:Allright,perchanceIwasalittleharshwiththatpunishment,butIwillgivehimasecondchance.DESDEMONA:Darling,youaresokind!That'sthebestyou'vedonesincewemarried!(ShekissesOthello.)EXITDESDEMONA,ASSHEDISTRACTEDLYLEAVESAHANDKERCHIEFONTHEFLOOR.IAGO(whisperingtoOthello):Asslipperyasaneel.OTHELLO:Excuseme?IAGO:Really,itwasnothing.Nothinginparticular.OTHELLO:Apennyforyourintrusivethoughts.IAGO:IonlywondersomethingsaboutDesdemonaandCassio.Firstthingsfirst.Washeacquaintedwithher,orherwithhim,beforeshewasacquaintedwithyou?OTHELLO:Why,heintroducedmetoher!IAGO:And...whichdistancedotheykeepinconversation?OTHELLO:They'reactuallyprettyclosetoeachother.Iassumebecausethey'vealwaysbeengoodfriends.IAGO:And...what'stheirstarsign?I'dliketoknowthesignsofboth.OTHELLO:Well,she'saTaurusandhe'saScorpio,but...whysuchasuddeninterest?Aren'tyouactuallytryingtoinsinuatethatmyladywifeishavinganaffairwiththattrustedlieutenant?Thatthey'remoretoeachotherthanjustgoodfriends?IAGO:Why,he'strustworthy.Andsoisshe.WhyonEarthwouldbothofthemeverdaretobetrayyou?OTHELLO(calmly):Idoubtso.ConsideryoungCassio.He'sseenthelightafterthatfatefulincident...Haven'tyounoticedhowbythebookheacts?AndmybelovedDesdemona...she

dancestheminuet,shesingslikeanangel,sheplaysthehighharp,shespeaksFrenchandLatinaseasilyasyouplease.Shecouldeventamewildbears,forsheisboldenoughtodaretodoso!SoIneedproofoftheirguiltbeforeIcanbelieve.IAGO:Andbewareofjealousy,mylord.It'sagreeneyedmonster...OTHELLO:I'mnotsurewhattobelieve.Ilovemyladywife,andIbelieveinherfaithfulness...butIalsotrustIago,myhonestcomrade,alwayslikeabrothertome...(Iagonoticesthehandkerchiefandpicksitup.)EXITOTHELLO.ENTEREMILIA,WITHQUICKSTEPS.EMILIA:Butwho'sthere!Andwhataboutmylady'sweddinggift?She'sbeenlookingforitallovertheplace.Goodnessyou'vefoundit!IAGO:Hearup,Milly.I'vegotplans.Impressiveplans.Nowomenallowed.Ijustlovethestrawberrydesignonthishandkerchief.SoI'dliketogiveittoHerLadyshipinperson.Nomatterifyou'reherhandmaid,whichyouareinfact.EMILIA:Allright,I'llbeleavingrightnow.I'lltellmyladythatyou'llhandherwhatshehasrecentlylost.Thinkofthat!She'llbemissingthathandkerchiefterribly.Now,Iago,Ihopeyoudon'tdoanythingwrongwiththatstrawberryembroidery...IAGO:Don'tworry,Milly!Everything'sundercontrol!EXITEMILIA,LEAVINGIAGOONHISOWN.MUSIC:TOCCATAANDFUGUEINDMINORBYJ.S.BACH.IAGO(totheaudience):Now,apieceofcloth,incertainscenarios,mayturnouttobeasrelevantasapeacetreaty...orasadeclarationofwar.SupposethatCassiofindsthishandkerchiefinhisquarters.Whatmayhappenthen?HisLordship'sworstsuspicionswillbearoused,andthus,theyounglieutenantwillfallfromgrace...evendeeperthanhehasdonebefore.NowwhodarestoguessIplaythevillainonthisstage?(cuebaritoneevillaugh)MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!ACTFOURTHECOURTYARD.OTHELLOANDIAGO.IAGO:Ijusthavetowonder...Haveyoueverseenherwithasilkhandkerchief,spottedwithstrawberries?OTHELLO:Itwasmyweddinggifttoher.Notlately...IAGO:But...(Pause.)Haven'tyouseenCassiowiththathandkerchieflately?OTHELLO:NowIunderstand!HowcouldIeverbethatnaive?!Ithoughthertrue,and,afterall...Shebetrayedme,Iago...!Shebetrayedme!Chaoshascomeagain!(Hefallsunconsciousontheground,thenstartstotwitchviolently,sufferingfromanepilepticseizure.Backgroundmusic:"OnTheRun"byPinkFloyd.).IAGO:Keeponthatway,YourLordship!Twitch!Twitch!Twitch!HowmuchIliketoseeyousuffer!ENTERCASSIO,WHOSTANDS,SHOCKED,BYIAGO'SSIDE.CASSIO(shocked,lookingatOthello):YourLordship!(ToIago.)Iago,sinceyouhavealwaysbeensohelpful...whydon'tyoudoanythingtosavehislife?

IAGO(lookingconcerned,toCassio):Sorry,Lieutenant.(Shrugginghisshoulders.)Ihaveneverdonefirstaidtoanepilepticbefore,andthus,allIcansayisIdon'tknowwhatthehecktodo!(Pause.)Butyou,Lieutenant,youareaneducatedofficer,andthus,mostcertainlyinpossessionofthatkindofknowledge.CASSIO:AndIthoughtIwouldnevertendtoanepilepticinthemilitary...(HekneelsclosetoOthello,placesthegenerallyingonhisrightside,andloosenshisclothes.Then,hegetsupandplaceshimselfnexttoIago,whomhenowaddresses.)GoodIago...WillHisLordship,inexchangeforsuchanactofkindness,everforgivemytransgression?IAGO:Notimmediately,Lieutenant.Hemaynothaveseenyouloosenhisclothes,andthus,hewouldrathertrustanotherthanyou,believingthatsomeoneelsesavedhislife.Youshouldbetterkeepontendingtoyourdutiesfortoday...Eh,Lieutenant?CASSIO(Tohimself):Thisremindsmeofsomethingthatmayhaveoccurred...Mymemoriesofthateveningarestillfoggy,butIagowassurelythere,allexcited,singingandcheering...Ormaybenot?Thatliquorisstillplayingtricksonme,evenafterbeingexpelled...(ToIago,enthusiasticandreachingouthishandtotheensign):Sooffwego!EXITIAGOANDCASSIO,HANDINHAND.ENTERDESDEMONA.OTHELLOCOMESTO.OTHELLO:IthinkIhavegotafever...Couldyoutendtome,please?Where'sthehandkerchiefIoncegaveyouasatokenofmylove?DESDEMONA:Ihaven'tfoundityetatall,eversinceIlostittwodaysago.Isn'tthissomeevasivetostopdiscussingCassioandhisreinstatement?OTHELLO:Thathandkerchiefwasenchanted.Thestrawberrypatternwasdyedredwiththeheartsofmaidens.ItwasagiftfromMother,beforesheleftthisworld.Ifyoueverlostit,youwouldlosemyloveaswell.Forsuchisthespellonthehandkerchief.DESDEMONA:Suchalovelystory!But...Isn'tthissomeevasivetostopdiscussingCassioandhisreinstatement?OTHELLO:Thereissomethingmorethanthereinstatement...(Hegetsirate,thenfurious.)...andyouknowwellwhatImean,youshamelesswhore!!!(Hetacklesherviolently,bringinghertotheground.Then,herunsawayfromher.)DESDEMONA:Maybehe'sstirred,withtheendofthewarandallthat.Afterall,menarefromMars,especiallywarriors.(Shegetsup,dustingherskirtandshrugginghershoulders.)EXITDESDEMONA.ENTERIAGO.(OthelloandIagostandlikeabrideandgroombeforethealtar.Backgroundmusic:"ZadokthePriest",byHndel.)OTHELLO:Doyouagreethatsuchaheartbreakershouldnolongerlivetobreakmoreinnocenthearts?IAGO:Ido.OTHELLO:DoyoufeelcapableofendingthelifeofEnsignCassiowithinthespaceofthesethreedays?IAGO:Ido.(OthellogivesIagoaniceswordandaniceplumedhat,asIagobendsthekneeandkissesthegeneral'shands.)OTHELLO:Inowpronounceyoumylieutenant.

IAGO(kissingOthello'shandsoncemore):Ishallalwaysbefaithful.Neverbetrayyou.Staytruetoyouratherthantomyself,comewhatmay.AsforCassio,letmebehisundertaker.Thewhoreisallyours.OTHELLO:Aslongasshebreaksnomorehearts...Idon'twantanyoneelsetosharemyfate...Shallweusebelladonna?Strychnine?Iocaine?IAGO:No...(Pause.)Strangleherinbed.OTHELLO(facepalming):Whydidn'tIthinkofthatmyself?Strangleherintheweddingbedshehasstained.(HetakesIagobythehands.)That'sbrilliant,Iago.OnlymindthatyouhavethreedaystoprovetomethatCassiodoesnotlive.IAGO:Thatwillcometrue...longbeforethethirddayisover.EXITIAGO.CASSIO(offstage):Aaaah!Myleg!Blood!Help!Help!Ineedsomebody!Help!(Aloudthudisheard.)ACTFIVEBEDCHAMBERATNIGHT.DESDEMONAANDEMILIA.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:SCHUBERT,AVEMARIAEMILIA:Nowmenaremen,andIknowthatthey,asagroup,areratherstupid.Especiallymarriedmen.Withafewexceptions.Thatchangeofheartwon'tlastforever.I'msure.DESDEMONA:Anyway,Ican'tstopworrying.Maybeyou'rerightandhewillbebacktonormaltomorrow...orsomedaysoon.EMILIA:SoIhope.Goodnight,Desdemona.EXITEMILIA.DESDEMONA:Goodnight.(Handsfoldedinprayer.)Fourangelsaroundmybed,twoatmyfeet,twoatmyhead.Onetowatch,andonetopray,andtwotobearmysoulaway.Amen.(Shegoestobedandthen,afteralittletossingandturning,shefinallyfallsasleep.Shedoesn'tputoutthenightlight,leavingtheroomstillwelllit.)ENTEROTHELLO.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:HEADHUNTER,FLASHANDTHEPANOTHELLO:Putoutthenightlight.Then,putoutherlight.Icanturnthisnightlighton,but...isthereawaytobringyoubacktolife,monamour?Thereisn't,obviously...HowmuchIstillloveyou...!No,no.Youshallbreaknomorehearts.Yetyouaresobeautiful...HowmuchIwillmissyou!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...whichyouareconstantlydenying!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,andthenhethrowsherbodyonthemattressagain).ENTEREMILIA,WITHAWOUNDED,REELINGCASSIOLEANINGAGAINSTHER.THELIEUTENANTISALSOHOLDINGACRUTCHANDBANDAGEDWITHTHEHANDKERCHIEF.EMILIA(surprised):LordofLight...!Isshereallydead?Haveyou...?OTHELLO(calmly):That'sforhertobreaknomorehearts.EMILIA:Shewasfaithful!Shewashonest...!OTHELLO:Iagotoldmetheopposite!EMILIA:Youhavebeendeceived,YourLordship.Yourassistant,myspouse,hasdevisedallofthisforrevengefornotgettingthatpromotion.Orforsomeothermysteriousreason.Asforyourladywifeandyourformerlieutenant...shewasinnocent.AndheISinnocent.CASSIO:Emiliaknowsthewholetruth.Iagohasbeenplayingwithus,arathernonsensicalgameofhittingsoftspots.OTHELLO:Cassio?Alive?AndIago...dishonest?Nowwhatisthetruth?Areweactuallycharactersinaplaywhichisbeingparodiedbyaculturedteenagestudent?ENTERIAGO.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:BEETHOVEN'SFIFTHSYMPHONY.IAGO:Thiswenchknowstoomuch,andshe'stooextraverted.Ihatetodoit,but...(Pause)Adis,Milly!(HestabsEmiliaintheback.)(BackgroundmusicswitchestoTheRainsofCastamere.)EMILIA:Believeme!Thisisthetruth!Iagoisthevillain,Desdemonawasinnocent,Cassioisinnocent,andweallarecharactersinaplay...(Shedies.)OTHELLO(cryinghiseyesout,thoughnotliterally):Mybelovedladywife!Bereftoflife...Howsweetlyyousleep,nevertoawaken!WhathaveIdone,LordofLight,whathaveIdone?(ToCassio)Cassio,youareforgiven.Andnowyouarethegeneral,myheirandsuccessor.Hopeyourreigntakesplaceininterestingtimes.EnsurethatIagogetswhathedeserves.Thebloodierthebetter.(Totheaudience)SpeakofmeasIam,nothingextenuate.Ofonewholovednotwisely,buttoowell.StresstheinternalturmoilthatIfeltwhenIbelievedthatmyladyhadstabbedmeintheback,andgiverantsonthetraitorwhomItrustedfromthestart.(ToDesdemona'sbody)Mybelovedladywife!Bereftoflife...Howsweetlyyousleep,neverto

awaken!WhathaveIdone,LordofLight,whathaveIdone?IkissedyoubeforeIkilledyou...sonowIwillkillmyselfanddieuponakiss!Alastkiss!(Hestabshimselfinthesternumwithhissword,fallsonthebed,andquicklydieskissingDesdemona'scorpse.)ENTERTWOGUARDS.CASSIO(ToIago):Thereisnoinsultoffensiveenoughtodescribeyou!Alltheseinnocentsoulshavesufferedand...it'syourfault!Youwillbeexecutedfordisgracingtheregiment!ThoughIhavetoadmitthatthishasbeenagreatstory!Guards!(TheguardsseizeIagoanddraghimaway.)IAGO:Comeon!Smiteme!Castrateme!Ticklemetodeath!Iwillnotspeakasingleword!CURTAINFALLSCURTAINCALLTHEEND

AMORE(MOOR)SERIOUSAFTERWORDOneofthereasonswhyOthelloismyfavouriteShakespeareantragedyisbecauseithappenstobeassubversiveasaplayfromthateracanbe.Andthatbecauseofcertaintraitsofthestorythatsetitapartfromothertragediesandfrommosttropesinclassicalfiction:Setting:Inamanifestdeparturefromtheusualcourtlybackdropsofthetragicgenre,Othellotakesplacewithinalocaloutpostcommunityonthefringeoftwofeudinggreatpowers.Thefrontier/fortresssetting,echoingmilitarism,hinterlandprovincialism,liminality,andalatentparanoiaateveryturn,issignificantlydeviant(frontiercommunitiesandfortressesareveryrarelystablesettingsorthebirthplaceofcharactersinfiction,andwhentheyappear,theyaresimplyplacestobecapturedbyaninvadingarmy,tobedefendedbytheterritorialarmy,orstateprisons).Withinthewallsofthiskeep,patriarchycoexistswithfreelove(thefemalecharacters,allthreeincrediblyassertive,areimmunetoIago'sdeceptionandrevealit),organizedreligionwitholdtraditionalbeliefs(theMoonisblamedforbothOthello'slossofmettleandCassio'sdrunkenquarrel)andevenfreethought(Iagohimself)...andtheuniverseasbeautifulorderdoesnotexist,chaosbeingthefoundationforaneverchangingandunpredictableexistence.Chaosasapitforsomeandasaladderforothers.Thereisalso,asidefromtheplace,thetime:apostbellumsetting,peaceandvictoryhavingcomeatlast,butthethreatofthevengefulenemywithoutloominginthedistance...thoughtheevenmoreperilousenemywithinisstillunseen,andsoontodisruptitall...Thekeywordsareallthere:"Chaosiscomeagain".Cast:Fittinginwiththesettinginaperipheral/hinterland/liminalcommunity,thecharactersarenotpreciselyroyaltyandcourtiers.Rather,theyarealloutsiderswithintheedgeoftheirstateorder.Whilealsobeingwellestablished"importantpeople"withgoodreputationsandnicheswithinitspowerstructure.Thus,theirpositionsarecontradictory.Throughoutthetragedy,theirreputationsandrelevantpositionswillbeatstake,changingastheirsocialmasksfallandtheirtrueselves,betheygood,evil,oramixofboth,areeventuallyrevealed.Thethreefemales(thenewlywedsocialite,theexperiencedmiddleclasswife,andthesoontomarryfiance/courtesan)are,bybeingfemaleinamilitaristicbackwater,obviouslyoutsidersallthree,yettheymakeupforitwiththeirincredibleassertiveness.NeitherDesdemona,Emilia,norBiancaareafraidtospeaktheirminds.AndallthreeareimmunetoIago'stricks,perchancebecauseoftheirgender,theirassertiveness,orbothfactors.ThemalecastconsistsofIagoandselfmadeoutsiderswho,unlikethefemalecast,areinsecureoftheirtrueselves,theirdoubtscomingtolightwhenIagoshatterstheirexpectations.

Othello,forinstance,isanobviouslyforeignbornandthirdculturewarlordwhohasreachedtheapexofhismilitarycareerasahappilymarriedandvictoriousgeneralwhoseloveisrequited.Yetheisactuallyconcealingseriouslatentinsecurity:suspicionsthathislovedonesmayturntheirbacksonhim.SuspicionsthatIago,littlebylittle,encouragesbyunderminingthegeneral'strustbymeansofreversepsychologyandaframeup.Until,intheclimax,theoncegreatlordisnolongerhimself.Whenhesnaps,notonlydoeshebeathiswife,butalsoattackhis"trusted"righthandIago,andsufferfromsomaticcomplaintslikeparanoia,fevers,orgrandmalseizures.And,beforestabbinghimself,heburstsintotears,havingalreadyrejectedthemilitaryprofessionbeforehekilledhisladylove"forherowngoodandthatofothers".Thenthere'sRoderigo,Desdemona'soldflame,ashyvioletwhorefuses(orratherhates)toacceptthatshegotaway.AndhebecomesIago'scronytogetherback,whichforeshadowsthedownfalloftheothermalecharacters.Atfirstbornintothelandedgentry,hehasenlistedtostayclosetoher,nomatterhowoutofhisreachshemightbe,trustingtheensignblindly(ifIagotoldhimthatblackiswhiteandwhiteisblack,thisladwouldbelieveit)andfollowinghisharmfuladvice(togetthelieutenantdrunkandprovokehim,forinstance)totheletter...until,attheendoftheday,herealisesthatIago'splansleadtonowhere,thathewasbeingusedbytheensignallalong,andthusherebels.ItappearsthathavingDesdemonanearandfantasizingaboutheristhecatalysthehasgot...ifshewerewithinhisreach,hewouldhavenopurposeforturningtoIagoto.Therewehaveinsecurityinlove,tiedtointroversionandwishfulthinking...Finally,there'sCassio,theonlymalecharacterofimportancewhosurvives:atfirst,heisthecatalystforalltheeventssincehegotthatrank(moreonthatbelow!).Thearchetypalgentlemanlyyounglieutenant,heisanoutsiderbeingalearnedintellectualamongmilitarymen,andhavingobtainedapositionofpowerwithlittleornoeffort.Thoughhehasreceivedapproval,he'dalsoliketofitinamongtheotherofficers.Havegotbothapositionandapeergroup.Nomatterifhecan'tholdhisliquor.Likemostyoungpeople,evenoutsiders,he'dratherbeoneoftheboysthanastickinthemud.Iago,ofcourse,takesadvantageofthisattitudetoshattertheyouth'scareerandwrestthelieutenancyfromhim(afterhehasgotdrunkonduty).Thispartofthescriptrepresentsabrokenstreakinfiction,sinceitportraysanintoxicatedcharacterasayoungpersonfromtheupperechelonsofsociety.WhichIlovejustforthesakeofthissubversion!Regretsensue,butalsoresilienceaftergettingoverdisappointmentandhopethathissituationmightchange.Intheend,heisforgiven,andhewillbecomegovernoroftheoutpost,thoughwithoutanymilitarydutiesduetohisdisability:asignthathehascomeofageafterallthetrialsandasymbolofthelossoflovedones:heisnolongertheinnocentandselfreliantyounglieutenantwesawgetarankwithsolittleeffortatthestartofitall.Andweshallnotforget,forbetterorworse,thatthereisIago.WhoisIago?Thingsforsure:hehatelovesCassioandheisnotcomfortableinthecompanyofladies.Hehashisowninsecuritiesandreasonstodowhathedoes(whatheperceivesasinjustice),buthismaskis

neverbroken.Somesayheisadevilundercover,likeMephisto,whichwouldbetruetoacertainextent...IagoistoCassioastheWickedQueenistoSnowWhite.Inbothstories,theinnocentvictimheroisrebornafterapparentdeath,whiletheantagonistispunished.Wehavealreadymentionedwomen'simmunitytoIago'stricks,Addhismasteryofdisappointmentasacatalystforhisvictims'actions.Andthewayhe"grantswishes":grantingthewishesofthemalecastwhenheisnear(inDokidokiPrecure,mostofthevictimsoftheweek,whoseheartsarecorrupted,aresignificantlymaleaswell,andpittedagainstanallfemaleheroineteam!),thewishesbackfiringandshatteringthelivesofthosewhomadethem.DoesIagograntwishestohavehisownwishesgranted?Ofcourse.Somesayheisadevilundercover,likeMephisto,whichwouldbetruetoacertainextent...whileIseeIagoasamoreorlesschaoticneutral,leaningonchaoticevilcharacter,apersonificationofunreasonnotunliketheNorseLoki,theSpanishDonCarnal,ortheLordofMisrule.OrtheDevilonTarot(arcaneXV),whichrepresentsthepulsionsoftheid,passions,unreasonbeyondgoodandevil.Thekeywordsareallthere:"Chaosiscomeagain".Notevilinademonicsense,yetatempterandatricksterwhotemporarilydisruptsandrevolutionizesthesocialorder,beforeandduringhisownreignasdefactogovernor,bygrantingwishesatagreatprice...butforwhichreason?Thereisthelieutenancymentioned...butisthisactuallyfornoreason,Iago'scharacterbeingunreason(theunreasonofwishmaking,ofintoxication,ofinsecurity,ofparanoia,ofpassion...)incarnateitself?Mindthathisnamemeans"usurper",which,inastorywhereidentity,andthelossofit,arethecentralthemes,isthekeywordtoitall...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,thereisnostruggleforacrownorathrone(thoughthereistalkaboutusurpers:inlove,withinthehierarchy,withinone'sownsystem...),but,rather,foraninanothercontextirrelevantlieutenancy.Still,thisisagameofpower,inwhichtherulesaretowinordie(nothirdoptionormiddleground),someclaimit'stheirsbyrightandthattheotherisausurper,orviceversa.Thereismuchtalk,notaboutbeinggovernor/commandant,butaboutbeinglieutenanttothisofficer.Notincharge,butnextinline,acceptingthecurrentruler'sreign.

Lefttenant.Oreven"lovetenant",assomeElizabethanspronouncedthisFrenchloanword.Thereisahomoeroticinnuendoaboutholdingthispositionaswell,foritmeansacertainproximitytothegovernor.AndIagoisostensiblypreferringthecompanyofothermen.Doeshewantthepostforotherreasonsthansocialclimbing?Ileaveittoyou.NomatterforwhichreasonsIagowantsthepost,heseesCassioasausurper.Apparently,sincetheformerisaseasonedveteranandthelatterisalearnedgreenhorn,IagohasasmuchofafoundedclaimasStannisagainstRenly.Addthefactthat,inbothscenarios,theformerhaswoundupintheshadeofthelatter...andwishestostepoutofthatshade,evenifdeathweretheonlymeans.WeallknowStannishadamagicalpriestessbyherside...well,Iagobelievesinnogods(warfareexperiencehassurelykilledhisfaith)butratherinhimself,andthisselfreliancecoupledwithaknackforhittingsoftspotsisworthmorethanalltheclergyoftheLordofLight.CuethescenewhenhegetsCassiointoxicated,successfullytemptinghisrivalandmakinghimfall,thentryingtorestrainthefuriouslieutenant,then,ashesobersupandcomesto,tellingtheostensibletruthtotheircommandingofficer...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. ...thencheeringupthebrokenyoungofficerandgivinghimthesuggestionthatheaskDesdemonatodefendhiscause.Thereyouhaveit.ButIagodoesn'tstopatthat,rather,hekeepsontrickingOthellotohavethegovernorathiseverybeckandcall.Theonewhocalledhimself"rightful"isnowactuallyausurper,notonlyclaimingthelieutenancy,butalsoarelevantinfluenceoverhiscommandingofficerand,thus,thedefactorulershipofthewholeoutpost.Thatis,untilheisdefeatedbyhismaidservantwifeandthefianceofhisrival,bothofwhichexposehiswholegambittothelight.Earlieron,atthestartofthefinalactwithallitsdeaths,Iagocouldn'tputhimselftogethertokillCassio.Hehadearlieronexpressedhowhehatesbeingsecondtotheyoungofficer.Yetthereseemstobethisunderlyingtruththat...whatshouldIagodowhenhehadalreadydonewhathewastryingtoreach?Asaresult,heevensendsasurgeontotendtothewoundedCassio,whosurvivesexceptforalegcutoff(metaphorforcastration?)whichputsanendtohismilitarycareer(andputshim

backinplaceasanintellectual,ifyourefusetoacceptthathewillbecomeadisabledandprostheticlimbedbadasslaJaimeLannister).AddthefactthatIagogivesanaccount(atrueone?)ofhimselfstandingguardbythesleepingthenlieutenant,sittingontheyoungman'sbed,ashelaidalegonIago'slapandgavethetraitorakiss.Yes,CassiolaidthatsamelegoverIago'scrotchandthenkissedIago.Thoughtheyoungofficerwasdreamingaboutbangingawoman(Desdemona,Emilia,orBianca?)andactingouthisdream.AndthissamepersonevensucceedsOthelloashisheirandsuccessorasgovernor,whileIagoistorturedwithexcruciatingpain(yetstillmanagingtostoically,ormasochistically,shutup).So,whileCassiodoeshiscomebackontherulershiparena...Iago,inspiteofhispunishment,hasatleastpartiallysucceededbykillingtheformergovernor,hisladywife,andevenhisown(Iago's)stupidlovesickcronyandmaidwife(tomakehershutup'causesheknewtoomuch,yethemanagedtooffherwhenitwastoolateandshehadalreadytoldthewholetruth).OnlyCassioandBiancasurvive,andwearelefttoimaginetheirmarriagesinceitdoesnotappearintheplay...itendswithOthelloandDesdemona,andevenEmiliatheallknowingmaid,dead.AndIagoarrested,swearingthathewillnotbreatheasinglewordabouthisagenda,ofwhicheveryoneelse(audienceincluded)butthelateEmiliawascompletelyunaware.Whichpurposedidthetraitorhave,andforwhichreason?Thisquestionisleftunanswered.Here,Ihavegivenmyownhumbleopinion,whichmayhavebeenIago'srealmotivationormayhavenot.Allthatjazznotforathrone,butrather(ironicallyandsubversively)foralieutenancy.Whichmakessenseincontext.Afterall,thisisanunusualplay,inwhichwomenactandspeaktheirminds,inwhichmilitarymenareinsecureanddesperatefigureslosingpoweratlightningspeed,inwhichchaosisaladdertoastrangefellowwhowalksaboutatdaylightandmoonlightgrantingwishesatthepriceofdisappointmentandregret...Thekeywordsareallthere:"Chaosiscomeagain".Nothingunusualfromourownpointofview,comparedtothatoftheoriginalStuarteraaudience.OthelloisassubversiveandasattractiveasGameofThronesforexactlythesamereasons.AndwehopethatourfriendsinWesterossurvive,mostofthem,theirordeal.ThoughtheCypriotfortofOthelloisclosertoourpresentdayuniversethanWesterosis.It'salsoasecludedspace,acommunitycrowdedwithinnarrowwalls(toquoteLewWallace),farmoreclaustrophobicandeasiertomap(andthus,tofollowthecharacterswithinthisreducedspace)thanthethousandsofkilometresfromDornetoWinterfell.Infact,thesettingofOthelloisclosertotheconceptofNobleAcademyorHogwarts.Amilitaryencampmentwithclaustrophobicconfines,whereemotionsandpowerplay,withafarmoreeconomiccastandspacetimeframethaninWesteros,areequallyintense,andseemevenmorebecausetheyarehereconcentratedratherthanscattered.Andalieutenant'scommissioncanbeaswantedandasfoughtforastheIronThrone,thoughatalowerscale.