Othello: Act Two
Scene 1
The scene moves to Cyprus, where the island’s governor, Montano and two gentlemen anxiously await Othello’s arrival. There has been a storm. Montano’s concern indicates his respect for Othello; he is looked upon as Cyprus’ saviour. The storm is also a device by which Shakespeare can dispose of the Turkish threat, which is no longer necessary to the plot. The focus of Othello is to be the general’s marriage and Iago’s attempts to undermine it.
When he enters it is clear that Cassio is also concerned about Othello’s safety, but he reassures Montano that the Moor’s ship is strong. News of the sighting of another ship is brought in. Cassio sends a gentleman to find out who is landing and informs Montano of Othello’s recent marriage. The ensign enters, escorting his wife Emilia and Desdemona. Cassio greets them graciously. Desdemona immediately asks after her husband and is disturbed to that his ship has not yet come in. Another ship is sighted and while we wait to find out whose it is, Desdemona attempts to distract herself in conversation with the others. She discussed women and their characters with Iago, whose opinion of the fair sex is far from flattering. Iago says – in a light-hearted tone – that women are talkative, indiscreet, lascivious and deceitful. He says “You are pictures out of doors, / bells in your parlous, wild-cats in your kitchens, / saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players / in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds” (108-111). Desdemona takes him to task for his ungenerous comments, while Cassio excuses Iago’s soldierly bluntness. Cassio touches Desdemona’s hand at this point – a gesture of courtesy – because Iago informs us in an aside that he will use Cassio’s innocent gallantry against him: “With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio” (165-166).
Othello’s trumpet is heard and the Moor himself finally arrives. He and Desdemona greet each other warmly and Othello expresses his great satisfaction at seeing his wife again. He calls her his “fair warrior” (176) and his “soul’s joy” (179). He says “If it were not to die, / ‘Twere now to be most happy” (185-186). The couple’s joy is undermined by an aside from Iago who remarks sourly that their mutual happiness will not last because he wills set the couple against each other. The general then leaves for the castle accompanied by all the other characters, expect Iago and Roderigo. Iago no enlists Roderigo’s help in his plan to discredit Cassio. He convinces Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio, and that Roderigo’s only chance of gaining her affections is to disgrace the lieutenant. Roderigo is reluctant to believe this about Desdemona but is persuaded. He agrees to find a time to provoke Cassio. Iago is left alone on stage and discusses his contempt for Othello’s “constant, loving, noble, nature”. He reiterates his desire to be revenged on the Moor and his suspicions of having been cuckolded by Othello. Iago even suggests Cassio has cuckolded him, perhaps suggesting an irrational paranoia.
1. What motives for destroying Othello has Iago revealed in his soliloquies so far?
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2. What thought does Iago say “Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards” (291)?
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3. What does he mean when he says “And nothing can or shall content my soul / Till I am evened with him, wife for wife” (292-293)?
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Scene 2
In this short scene a herald confirms the destruction of the Turkish fleet and prepares us for the celebration and consummation of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage.
Scene 3
We move to the castle, where Othello instructs Cassio to ensure that the festivities remain under control. Cassio confidently tells him that Iago is in charge; both general and lieutenant believe that ‘honest’ (6) Iago is reliable. Desdemona and Othello leave to consummate their marriage, bidding Cassio goodnight. Othello uses a business metaphor saying “The purchase made, the fruits are to ensure: / That profit’s yet to come ‘tween me and you.” (9-10). His comment reminds the audience of Othello’s lack of knowledge about matters of the heart.
When Iago enters Cassio immediately wishes to set out to the watch, but the ensign persuades him that there is still time to enjoy the revels. The two men discuss Desdemona. Iago urges the lieutenant to drink some more wine. Cassio says “I am unfortunate in the infirmity and dare not task my weakness with any more” (38-39) but out or courtesy agrees. While Cassio steps out to call in some of the Cyprus gallants, Iago reveals that he intends to make Cassio drunk so that it will be easy to provoke him into disturbing the peace. Cassio returns with the men and they drink, sing and talk. Cassio lapses into drunkenness. After a while he decides to attend to his duties, maintaining that he is sober as he leaves. Iago makes a point of telling Montano that Cassio is a habitual drunk, unsettling the governor, who says that Othello should be informed of his lieutenant’s weakness.
4. What reasons does Iago have for making this comment to Montano?
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Roderigo makes a brief appearance but is soon hurried off by Iago, who urges him to follow and provoke Cassio.
A few moments later these two return; Roderigo is driven in by an angry Cassio, who strikes him. Montano tries to part them but is drawn into a fight with Cassio himself. Iago tells Roderigo to cause further chaos and panic by running about the town crying “Mutiny” (150). An alarm bell rings and Othello arrives. Iago immediately assumes the role of mediator and pacifier. When Othello charges him on his love to speak, Iago replies “I do not know” (172) and pretends that he does not know how the altercation began. Cassio is too ashamed to speak and Montano, wounded and breathless, refers the general to Iago for an account of the brawl.
So it is left to the ancient to provide the increasingly angry Othello with a description of the night’s events. With pretended reluctance he recounts details of Cassio’s assault on Montano. The lieutenant is immediately dismissed from his post. Othello tells him “Cassio, I love thee; But nevermore be officer of mine” (241-242). At this point Desdemona enters. Othello protectively sweeps her away, commenting that “’tis the soldier’s life / To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife” (250-251). Before he leaves he makes sure that Montano’s wounds are attended to and puts Iago in charge of restoring calm in the town.
Iago and Cassio are left on stage. Cassio is utterly dejected about the loss of his reputation, and disgusted with his own behaviour. Iago offers him advice. He suggests seeking Desdemona’s assistance. He says “She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested” (311-314). The audience sees that Iago recognises Desdemona’s weakness (as he has Othello, Roderigo, and now Cassio).
Like Roderigo before him, Cassio is persuaded that ‘honest’ Iago has his best interests at heart and leaves. Iago turns triumphantly to the audience and asks who can accuse him of villainy when he offesr such helpful, wise advice? He now informs us that while Desdemona pleads for Cassio “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear, / That she repeals him for her body’s lust” (346-347). He will convince Othello that Desdemona pleads for Cassio because she is in love with him. Iago’s conclusion reveals his cruelty: “So I will turn her virtue into pitch, / And out of her own goodness make the net / That shall enmesh them all” (350-352).
5. Explain what this quote means. What does it reveal about Iago’s character?
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Roderigo returns, a rather pathetic figure. He has been beaten soundly. Worse, he has nothing to show for his financial outlay and is as far from securing Desdemona’s affections as he was in Venice. He intends to return home. This does not suit Iago, who still needs Roderigo. Iago persuades him to stay; he should not be so impatient, he should think less of his bruises and more of his achievements; after all, he has this evening “cashiered” (370) his rival. Iago sends Roderigo away and muses on, alone. His next move will be to enlist his wife’s help: “My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress” (374). Emilia must promote Cassio’s cause with Desdemona while he poison’s Othello’s mind.
6. Iago is willing to manipulate his own wife to further his plans. What does this reveal about his character?
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7. Iago is a master of picking out a person’s weakness. List the weaknesses of the characters below. Use a quote from Iago if you can.
Roderigo: ______
Othello:
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Desdemona:
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Cassio:
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Emilia:
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So far, do you have any questions about the plot/characters/themes?