Summary: Act II, scene iii
Othello leaves Cassio on guard during the revels, reminding
him to practice self-restraint during the celebration. Othello and
Desdemona leave to consummate their marriage. Once Othello is gone, Iago
enters and joins Cassio on guard. He tells Cassio that he suspects
Desdemona to be a temptress, but Cassio maintains that she is modest.
Then, despite Cassio’s protestations, Iago persuades Cassio to take
a drink and to invite some revelers to join them.
Once Cassio leaves to fetch the revelers, Iago tells the
audience his plan: Roderigo and three other Cypriots, all of whom
are drunk, will join Iago and Cassio on guard duty. Amidst all the
drunkards, Iago will lead Cassio into committing an action that
will disgrace him. Cassio returns, already drinking, with Montano
and his attendants. It is not long before he becomes intoxicated
and wanders offstage, assuring his friends that he isn’t drunk.
Once Cassio leaves, Iago tells Montano that while Cassio is a wonderful
soldier, he fears that Cassio may have too much responsibility for
someone with such a serious drinking problem. Roderigo enters, and
Iago points him in Cassio’s direction. As Montano continues to suggest
that something be said to Othello of Cassio’s drinking problem,
Cassio chases Roderigo across the stage, threatening to beat him.
Montano steps in to prevent the fight and is attacked by Cassio.
Iago orders Roderigo to leave and “cry a mutiny” (II.iii.140).
As Montano and others attempt to hold Cassio down, Cassio stabs
Montano. An alarm bell is rung, and Othello arrives with armed attendants.
Immediately taking control of the situation, Othello demands
to know what happened, but both Iago and Cassio claim to have forgotten
how the struggle began. Montano insists that he is in too much pain
to speak and insists that Iago tell the story. At first Iago feigns
reluctance to incriminate Cassio, emphasizing the fact that he was
chasing after Roderigo (to whom Iago does not refer by name) when
the fight between Cassio and Montano began, and suggesting that
the unknown man must have done something to upset Cassio. Othello
falls into Iago’s trap, stating that he can tell that Iago softened
the story out of honest affection for Cassio. Othello dismisses Cassio
from his service.
Desdemona has been awakened by the commotion, and Othello leads
her back to bed, saying that he will look to Montano’s wound. Iago
and Cassio remain behind, and Cassio laments the permanent damage
now done to his reputation by a quarrel whose cause he cannot even
remember. Iago suggests that Cassio appeal to Desdemona, because
she commands Othello’s attention and goodwill. Iago argues that
Desdemona’s kindheartedness will prompt her to help Cassio if Cassio
entreats her, and that she will persuade Othello to give Cassio
back his lieutenantship.
When Cassio leaves, Iago jokes about the irony of the
fact that his so-called villainy involves counseling Cassio to a
course of action that would actually help him. He repeats what he
told Cassio about Desdemona’s generosity and Othello’s devotion
to her. However, as Iago reminds the audience, he does the most
evil when he seems to do good. Now that Cassio will be spending
time with Desdemona, Iago will find it all the easier to convince
Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, thus turning
Desdemona’s virtue to “pitch” (II.iii.234).
Roderigo enters, upset that he has been beaten and angry
because Iago has taken all his money and left Roderigo nothing to
show for it. Iago counsels him to be patient and not to return to
Venice, reminding him that they have to work by their wits. He assures Roderigo
that everything is going according to plan. After telling Roderigo
to go, Iago finishes telling the audience the plot that is to come:
he will convince Emilia to speak to Desdemona on Cassio’s behalf,
and he will arrange for Othello to witness Cassio’s suit to Desdemona.
