Revisions

Othello(aside): I worry about Desdemona's loyalty. To kill her would be doing her and the other men she may betray a service. I will not shed her blood, but I will extinguish her light. 

Desdemona: Othello?  

Othello: Aye, I am here. 

Desdemona: Please come to bed. 

Othello: Have you said you prayers tonight? 

Desdemona: Of course my moore 

Othello: If there are any secret confessions, I pray you confess them now. 

Desdemona: what do you mean by that my lord?  

Othello: I wouldn’t kill though without thou knowing and I would not kill your soul. 

Desdemona: you speak of killing husband? 

Othello: I do. 

Desdemona: May heaven have mercy on me. 

Othello: Aye. 

Desdemona: I hope you will not kill me husband. 

Othello: Hmm. 

Desdemona: Othello.... tell me what vexes you so. 

Othello: The handkerchief which I loved and gave thee, thou gave’st to Cassio. 

Desdemona: My sweet husband. I have done no such thing.

Othello: He came to me and gave it to me so. (Othello shows Desdemona the handkerchief).

Desdemona: My Moor, how many years have you known me?

Othello: Many years, fair Desdemona.

Desdemona: And all those years have I ever given you a reason to throw distrust upon me?

Othello: No sweet lady, thou hath only been kind and loyal to me. Perhaps your naivety is your only flaw.

Desdemona: My moor, call upon Cassio and he will bring truth to this matter! 

Othello: Guards! Send for Cassio so we may hear more of this tale.  

Cassio Enters. 

Cassio: You sent for me my lord? 

Othello: Lieutenant, how came you across my dear Desdemona's handkerchief? 

Cassio: Permission to speak frankly?

Othello: Granted

Cassio: It appeared in my chamber my noble moor.  

Desdemona: I would never leave my handkerchief in your chamber lieutenant. I would never betray my husband in such a way as that.  

Othello: Cassio who dost thou think placed the handkerchief if not my wife? She is loyal to me and my love.  

Cassio: Perhaps the ensign? 

Othello: Thou thinkest Iago is behind this? 

Cassio: Aye. 

Othello: Why do you think this?

Cassio: There was a night a few moons ago.

Othello: Thou hast a story about Iago good sir?

Cassio: Aye, a few moons ago twas iago who lured me into being a drunk on my guard shift. 

Othello: Cassio that night you acted an absolute fool. 

Cassio: Aye sir and I take responsibility, but I swear it was only one chalice that I drunk. I haven’t touched the drink since. 

Othello: That is admirable good Cassio, and since this handkerchief debacle occurred, I do believe that yours and fair Desdemona’s recollections are correct.

Cassio: My sincerest apologies for my actions that night my moor. I… I have never been the same knowing my actions, and I promise you that I will regain your full trust again. But this was not my doing. Fair Desdemona is a maiden only someone as worthy as yourself deserves and may keep.

Othello: My dear Cassio, you have been in my ranks for many years. This was one of the few times you acted as someone other than yourself. I have seen enough. Bring in Iago.

Iago enters.  

Iago: You called my moor? 

Othello: What dost thou knoweth about this handkerchief?

Iago: Tis the lady Desdemona's handkerchief given by the favor of you good general 

Othello: Dost thou know where twas found? 

Iago: I haven’t the slightest inkling general. 

Cassio: Lies! Thou hast planted this in my chamber to implicate the fair Desdemona in this mess. 

Iago: how darest thou accuse me of something so foul! I am a loyal man! 

Othello: No one is questioning your loyalty to me Iago, your loyalty to my wife however is to be questioned.  

Iago: I would do no such thing sir. Thou must thinketh me a fool. And I am no fool.  

Cassio: False I say! False! You planted the handkerchief to have her hanged! 

Iago: Only a mad man would say I am doing something false. Read between the lines general. General you are a wise man. You will only know the truth. Just know that I saw the two of the speaking together late last night.

Desdemona: How dare you accuse your superior of an affair!

Iago: Tis not an accusation if tis true. 

Othello: Enough of this! Iago for you, crimes of betrayal against my family and closest friend. I hereby sentence you Iago to a beheading! 

Blackout.