Othello: Act II (Cyprus)

Apologies for the delay, but I got there in the end! Only had one taker for "Othello in Pictures" - come on people, Jim2 and I can't do it all ourselves...

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Act II sees Iago develop and commence the execution of his sneaky plan. The act starts with the characters arriving safely on Cyprus, and we learn that the Turkish fleet has been destroyed by storms. Othello throws a party, to celebrate the passing of the threat and also his wedding. He leaves Cassio and Iago on duty as guards, and takes Desdemona off to consumate the marriage. Wahey!

Iago discovers that Cassio is a lightweight and gets him drunk on the party wine. He then tells Roderigo to start a fight with him; the fight ends up in the guard house, where Iago is telling Montano, another Venetian nobleman, about Cassio's drunkenness. Montano restrains Cassio while Roderigo flees and alerts the party of a mutiny. Othello, disturbed from his "other business" enters to find Cassio and Montano with swords drawn.

Ever trusting of Iago, Othello asks him what has happened. Iago pretends to be loyal to Cassio, and his account cleverly implies that Cassio was at fault. Othello's attitude turns and he strips Cassio of his rank. Cassio is ashamed of his drunken behaviour, and laments his luck to Iago. Iago urges him to take his case for reinstatement to Desdemona; he can then convince Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. Clever bugger.

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Hope that keeps you sated for now. More Shakespearean antics after my return from Nottingham.