The Drinking Bout That Brings Down Cassio

Scene summary

On the wedding night, Othello puts Cassio in command of the night watch and withdraws with Desdemona. Cassio and Iago remain; Iago says it is not yet time to mount the watch, because the general dismissed them early, and invites Cassio to drink with a group of Cypriots waiting at the door, to toast Othello. Cassio refuses because he has a weak head for drink and has already felt the effect of a single cup, but ends up accepting, reluctantly. Alone, Iago tells the audience that Roderigo, whom love has unsettled, has already drunk heavily in toasts to Desdemona, that he himself has made three Cypriot gentlemen of touchy honor drunk, who will also be on the watch, and that he intends to lead Cassio into doing something that will offend the whole island.

Cassio returns with Montano and the gentlemen, already drunk. Iago sings drinking songs and proposes toasts; Cassio toasts the general's health, says he is not drunk, and goes out to the watch. Iago comments to Montano that Cassio's vice cancels his virtues and can shake the island, and Montano thinks Othello should know, but Iago refuses to tell. When Roderigo enters, Iago tells him to follow Cassio. Cassio reappears chasing Roderigo and threatening to beat him, and Montano, trying to restrain him, is wounded in the fight. Iago sends Roderigo out shouting that there is a riot, and a bell rings. Othello, woken by the uproar, demands to know who started it; Iago, saying he did not want to harm Cassio, tells a version that softens Cassio's guilt, and Othello replies that he likes Cassio, but that he will never be his officer again, and dismisses him from the lieutenancy on the spot.

Desdemona, woken by the noise, appears, and Othello sends her back to bed, promises to treat Montano's wound, and asks Iago to calm the city. Alone with Iago, Cassio laments having lost his reputation, which he calls his immortal part, and says he does not remember whom he pursued or why, blaming the wine. Iago replies that reputation is an unfounded and false imposition, that Cassio has lost it only if he thinks he has lost it, and advises him to ask Desdemona to intercede with her husband. Cassio thanks him, calling him honest. Alone, Iago asks who will say he is a villain, if the advice is good, and says that while Desdemona helps Cassio, he will insinuate to Othello that she only wants to save him out of desire, and so will set the net that will entangle the three. Roderigo returns, beaten and penniless, wanting to go back to Venice, and Iago asks him for patience. Afterwards, Iago says he will make Emilia ask Desdemona on Cassio's behalf, and will lead Othello to the place where he will see him pleading with his wife.