Othello has married Desdemona and arrived in Cyprus, where a storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet. Iago, angry that Cassio has become lieutenant instead of him, plans to make Othello jealous by accusing Cassio of intimacy with Desdemona.
Iago persuades Cassio to drink. Cassio attacks Roderigo and wounds Montano; Othello dismisses him. Following Iago’s advice, Cassio decides to seek Desdemona’s help in regaining his post. Iago plans to use her support as grounds for suspicion and to bring Othello upon Cassio speaking with her.
SCENE I. Cyprus. Before the Castle.
Enter Cassio and some Musicians.
CASSIO
Masters, play here, I will content your pains,Something that’s brief; and bid “Good morrow, general.”
Music.
Enter Clown.
CLOWN
Why, masters, have your instruments been in Naples, that they speak i’ the nose thus?
FIRST MUSICIAN
How, sir, how?
CLOWN
Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?
FIRST MUSICIAN
Ay, marry, are they, sir.
CLOWN
O, thereby hangs a tail.
FIRST MUSICIAN
Whereby hangs a tale, sir?
CLOWN
Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, masters, here’s money for you: and the general so likes your music, that he desires you, for love’s sake, to make no more noise with it.
FIRST MUSICIAN
Well, sir, we will not.
CLOWN
If you have any music that may not be heard, to’t again. But, as they say, to hear music the general does not greatly care.
FIRST MUSICIAN
We have none such, sir.
CLOWN
Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I’ll away. Go, vanish into air, away!
Exeuntforeign phrasea stage direction instructing two or more performers to leave the stage. Musicians.
CASSIO
Dost thou hear, mine honest friend?
CLOWN
No, I hear not your honest friend. I hear you.
CASSIO
Prithee, keep up thy quilletsold wordsa subtle or trivial legal distinction; a verbal quibble..There’s a poor piece of gold for thee: if the gentlewoman that attends the general’s wife be stirring, tell her there’s one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech. Wilt thou do this?
CLOWN
She is stirring, sir; if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her.
CASSIO
Do, good my friend.
Exit Clown.
Enter Iago.
CASSIO
In happy time, Iago.
IAGO
You have not been a-bed, then?
CASSIO
Why, no. The day had brokeBefore we parted. I have made bold, Iago,To send in to your wife. My suit to herIs, that she will to virtuous DesdemonaProcure me some access.
IAGO
I’ll send her to you presently,And I’ll devise a mean to draw the MoorOut of the way, that your converse and businessMay be more free.
CASSIO
I humbly thank you for’t.
Exit Iago.
CASSIO
I never knewA Florentine more kind and honest.
Enter Emilia.
EMILIA
Good morrow, good lieutenant; I am sorryFor your displeasure, but all will sure be well.The general and his wife are talking of it,And she speaks for you stoutly: the Moor repliesThat he you hurt is of great fame in CyprusAnd great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdomHe might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves youAnd needs no other suitor but his likingsTo take the safest occasion by the frontold wordsto seize an opportunity promptly and boldly when it presents itself.To bring you in again.
CASSIO
Yet, I beseech you,If you think fit, or that it may be done,Give me advantage of some brief discourseWith Desdemona alone.
EMILIA
Pray you, come in.I will bestow you where you shall have timeTo speak your bosom freely.