【Otello】Synopsis, Character Map

I pretend to adore Otello, but I hate that Moor.

Look at me. Who are you?

I am the faithful wife of Otello.

The Cypriots
The sails. The flag.

Una vela!

Montano
The flag of the winged lion!

That’s General Otello’s ship!

Montano
It has sunk… no, it has risen!

All
The lightning flashes and the thunder roars. O God, the light in the storm. O God, who brings blessing to the dunes! Protect the ships and flags that hold the fate of Venice in your hands.

Roderigo
The sails are torn!

(whispering)I hope that the Sea of Storms will become the tomb of Otello.

All
We’re saved! Get the boats!

Rejoice! The Muslims have sunk into the sea. Glory be to us and God! After the battle, they were hit by a storm.

Esultate! L’orgoglio musulmano sepolto è in mar

All
Long live Otello. Victory.

Rodrigo, what are you thinking about?

Roderigo
I’m thinking of throwing myself into the sea.

Foolish! Are you willing to die for a woman? Be calm and wait for the right moment. The beautiful Desdemona you admire will soon grow tired of the thick lips of the barbarian. I swear to you. I swear to you that Desdemona will be yours. I pretend to adore Otello, but I hate that Moor.

The reason for my anger is Cassio. Otello chose him to be captain of the navy. I should have been chosen over Cassio. I’m still the Moor’s ensign. Well, if I were that Moor, I wouldn’t want Iago on my side.

All
O fire of joy, blaze up with cheerfulness. Flames, drive away the night with your radiance.

Fuoco di gioia

Let’s drink. The whole of Cyprus is celebrating.

No, I don’t drink anymore.

Let’s drink. Celebrate the marriage of Otello and Desdemona.

She is as beautiful as a flower on the beach.

(Whispering to Roderigo) Listen to what Cassio has to say.

Her beauty will be admired by all.

Roderigo
She is beautiful and modest.

(Whispering to Roderigo) Cassio will be a hindrance to your love. You must get him drunk.

(To the waitress) Come on, bring us lots of alcohol.

Wet your throat. Cheers.

Inaffia l’ugola!

Real wine, made from grapes, clouds my thinking.

(Whispering to Roderigo) Look. Cassio is drunk. Pick a fight with him. Interrupt Otello’s wedding night.

Roderigo
Let’s quarrel with him.

Montano
Captain Cassio. The soldiers are waiting for you at the fort.

I’ll be there soon.

Montano
(Whispering to Iago) What an abomination. I have to tell Otello about this.

(whispering) He’s always like this.

Who laughed at me?

Roderigo
Everyone can’t help but laugh when they see a drunkard.

Montano
Captain Cassio. Stop fighting.

If you interfere with me, I’ll smash your head in.

Montano
Drunken bullshit…

Did you just call me a drunk?

(Whispering to Roderigo) You must go to the harbor and shout that it is a riot. Spread the word about the riot. And ring the half-bell.

(To Cassio and Montano) Stop it, both of you.

Put down your swords, both of you.

What’s going on? Loyal Iago, explain the situation to me.

I don’t know. Everyone was polite and enjoying themselves. Suddenly something distracted them and they picked up their weapons and fought.

Cassio. How could you have forgotten so much about your role?

Have mercy. I don’t know how this happened to me.

Montano
I have been wounded.

My blood is burning. It seems that my guardian angel is fleeing in anger.

How dare you disturb the sleep of my beloved Desdemona! Cassio, you are no longer captain.

(whispering) I won.

Iago. Take your men and restore peace to the city. Montano, you must be treated in the castle. Everyone go back to your homes. I’ll stay here.

Already the bustle fades into the night. Already my anger has been softened by your embrace and I have come to my senses. After the huge anger, there is a huge love.

Già nella notte densa s’estingue ogni clamor

My proud warrior. How much suffering, sad sighs, and hope have led us to sweet embraces.

Do you remember? How you have told me your story, your heroic deeds, your long and painful sorrows.

The trembling before the battle, the charge for the breakthrough.

You led me to the desert, to the burning land, to your home. I have heard from you the suffering of chains and slavery.

My story has been enhanced by your beautiful face, your tears, and your sighs.

I have found a real glow between your dark temples.

You loved my sorrow, and I loved your compassion.

I loved your sorrow, and you loved my compassion.

Death, come to me. Catch me amid happiness. Catch me in the best moment of embrace. I am afraid of this joy of the soul. I fear that in an unknown future, this sacred moment will never be allowed to me again.

God will scatter your afflictions. Our love does not change with the passing of the years.

Don’t worry. If you believe me, you can be reinstated as captain and return to your love affair with Bianca. You can go back to being a captain, a job she would be proud of.

Don’t flatter me.

Listen carefully to what I have to say. Lady Desdemona is our general’s further general. Otello lives for her. You should ask her for reinstatement. A kind heart will be able to help you.

But how do I talk to her?

She has a habit of going for walks. She rests in the shade of the trees with my wife. You wait for her here. The way of salvation is now open to you. Now go.

Go ahead. I know what you want.

I believe in the cruel God who created me. When I am angry, I call on him. Man’s fate is a game of misfortune. Death is nothing. Heaven is a fairy tale.

Credo in un Dio crudel

Pull yourself together, Cassio. This is the perfect moment.

If Otello comes here now. O devil, help me in my plot. She is smiling with a beautiful face. That smile is enough to ruin Otello.

No, wait. Luck has come to me. Otello is here.

This is going to be a problem.

Is it Cassio who is about to walk away from my wife?

Cassio? It was as if he felt guilty about meeting you.

That one certainly looked like a Cassio, though.

You have known Cassio since the time you and your wife met. Do you trust Cassio?

He delivered my gifts and letters to her. Cassio is sincere.

Sincere?

What are you hiding in your heart?

I’m hiding it?

Why are you repeating my words? Earlier you murmured that this was going to be a problem. What were you afraid of? When I mention Cassio’s name, you frown. If you have any respect for me, tell me honestly.

Beware of jealousy.

How miserable. There is no point in doubting. Before doubt, there must be an investigation; after doubt, there must be proof. After doubt has been proved…I have my own supreme rule. Let love and jealousy be scattered together.

All
Where your gaze shines, the heart burns like fire. Where you walk, flowers dance in the air. At the holy altar, among the lilies and roses, fathers, sons, and wives come to sing.

Dove guardi splendono raggi

Children
I offer you the sweet stalk of the lily.

Women
Let’s scatter flowers on the ground and in the sky. Let us scatter flowers for the blonde bride of April.

The sky is shining, the wind is dancing, the scent of flowers is in the air.

Her song intoxicates me. If she deceives me, God will despise himself.

It’s a sweet hymn where beauty and love are one. But I’ll break their sweet tune.

There is the plea of a man who suffers under your scorn.

D’un uom che geme sotto il tuo disdegno la preghiera ti porto

Who is it?

Cassio.

Was it him? The one you were talking to under the tree.

That’s right. I was moved by his suffering. He is worthy to be forgiven by you.

Not now. My temples are burning.

The nasty fever will disappear. If my hands wrap you in a soft cloth.

I don’t need it.

Why are you angry?

Just leave me alone.

If I have unintentionally sinned against you, please forgive me with sweet and gentle words. I am a modest and gentle wife. But you are sighing and looking at the ground. Look at my face. See how love speaks.

Is she deceiving me? I do not understand the tricks of love. Is it because I am old, or because I have darkness in my face, that I do not understand anything? She will leave me and I will be ridiculed.

Give me that cloth.

Emilia
What are you up to? I know how wicked you are.

You are a dirty slave of Iago.

Emilia
I have a feeling that something terrible is going to happen.

Forgive me for my sweet and gentle words.

Get out of here. I want to be alone.

Has Desdemona committed a crime?

I shall take this cloth as proof of her crime of love. I will hide it in Cassio’s house.

Did she have an affair? What a horrible thought.

My poison is working. Suffer more.

Don’t think any further.

Go away. You have bound me to the cross.

Farewell, sacred memory. Farewell, the joy of the enchanted heart. Glorious army! The sacred banner of victory. This is the end of Othello’s glory.

Ora e per sempre addio sante memorie

Please remain calm.

Find solid evidence that Desdemona is impure. Find tangible proof. Otherwise, the thunder of my wrath will fall on your head.

Protect me, O God. I am no longer ensign of Otello. I want the world to bear witness to the dangers of honesty.

No, stay. You are honest. I believe Desdemona to be honest. I believe she is dishonest. I believe you are honest. I believe you are dishonest. I want proof. I want to be sure.

What kind of evidence would you like to see? Do you want to see them embracing each other? But I have a guess, and it will lead you to the proof.

It was night. Cassio was asleep and I was by his side. I heard him talking in his sleep.

My dear Desdemona. Our love is not known to Otello. Let us be wary. I curse the unhappy fate that the Moors have brought upon you.

Era la notte, Cassio dormia

It’s a horrible crime.

I was just telling you about Cassio’s dream. I have another clue. Do you know about Desdemona’s thin cloth trimmed with flowers?

It was the first pledge of love I gave her.

Yesterday I saw Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s hand.

O God, give Cassio thousands of lives. One life is not enough for my wrath.

I swear on a sky like marble. I swear by the lightning. I swear by the sea of death and darkness. I will raise my hands in anger. Only then will my hands shine.

Si, pel ciel marmoreo giuro!

Don’t get up yet. The witness is the sun that I see. I give my heart, my arms, and my soul to Otello. Even if the bloody deed is your will, I will obey.

Otello and Iago
I swear on a sky like marble. I swear by the lightning. I swear by the sea of death and darkness. I will raise my hands in anger. Only then will my hands shine. O God of vengeance!

The messenger
News from the harbor watch. A Venetian galley is on its way to Cyprus with an ambassador on board.

Okay. Keep an eye on the harbor.

Shall I bring Cassio here? Let him talk to you. You can hide behind a pillar and watch him.

No, Desdemona has just arrived here. You go on as usual. I’m leaving. You must remember to ask her where her handkerchief is.

You must leave.

Good day to you. My darling.

Dio ti giocondi, o sposo

Thank you. Give me your hands, as beautiful as ivory.

My hands have never known sorrow and years.

Is there not an evil lurking in these hands?

I have given my hand and my heart to you. But I must say again about Cassio.

I’ve got a headache. Wrap me up in your handkerchief.

Yes, please.

No, I want the handkerchief I gave you.

I don’t have it.

Desdemona. That handkerchief is a highly magical object made by a powerful sorcerer. If you lose it or give it away, you will be unhappy.

Are you telling the truth?

It’s true. Have you lost it?

No, it’s not. I’ll look for it.

You are making fun of me. In this way, you deflect my questioning of Cassio. Your actions are sly.

Handkerchief!

Cassio would be your dearest friend. Please forgive him.

Look at me. Tell me who you are.

I am the faithful wife of Otello.

There seems to be anger in you. I don’t understand. Look at me. I will reveal my face and my soul to you. I pray to heaven for you. I shed hot tears for you.

Desdemona, leave.

Why are you crying? I don’t know the reason for your tears. Did I do something wrong?

Are you not a vulgar whore?

O, God! I am not the kind of person to be described by those terrible words.

Give me your hands, as beautiful as ivory. I want to make amends to you. Somehow I seem to have mistaken you for a vile whore.

O God, you could have cast all the evil on me. The glory of my victory became rubble and lies. And I have borne a cruel cross.

I want proof.

Dio! mi potevi scagliar tutti i mali

Cassio is coming. You have to stay hidden.

Come in, there’s no one in the hall. Captain.

Vieni, l’aula è deserta

Even though you call me by an honorable name, it still sounds empty to me. Here, I hope to meet Lady Desdemona. Did you arrange for me to meet her? I want to talk to her.

My wife’s name!

Tell me a little about her that makes me crazy about you. (Whispering: It’s your girlfriend, Bianca.)

You’re fascinated by her eyes, aren’t you? It is said in this world that he who wins laughs.

Don’t make me laugh. If it’s a duel, it’s probably true.

The wicked man triumphs and his mockery kills me!

Listen to me for a moment.

You know where I live, don’t you? It seems that someone has placed an embroidered cloth in my house.

It’s strange.

I can’t hear their conversation. I wonder where I can go.

Do you have it?

Have a look.

How lovely. (Otello must be eavesdropping.) In the house of a beautiful knight, the angels will forget their halo and their veil.

Ruin and death. All is lost. Love and sorrow. My soul is no longer moved by anyone.

This cloth is a spider’s web. It haunts your heart, it entangles you, it kills you.

Questa è una ragna dove il tuo cuor casca

This cloth is a miracle of beauty. White and light, like snow. Like a cloud woven into the veil of the sky.

This is a betrayal. It’s proof.

It seems that the boat from Venice has arrived. If you don’t want to see Otello, you’d better leave.

How shall we kill her?

Did you see him laughing? Did you see the handkerchief?

I’ve seen it all.

People’s voices
Hooray! The ship has arrived.

I want her to drink poison in the night.

She should be smothered. In her bed, where she has committed the crime.

Your judgment is more peaceful to my mind.

(In a low voice) Cassio… let me do it.

Iago. I appoint you captain.

Thank you. Let’s welcome the ambassador. It would be better for Desdemona to appear before the ambassadors to avoid suspicion.

Lodovico
(To Otello) I have a message for the general.
(To Iago) What’s new? Why is Cassio not here?

Cassio had angered Otello.

I believe that he will be back soon.

Do you think so?

Maybe he’ll come back.

Iago. I think so too. You know if I have a true affection for Cassio.

Shut up, the devil.

Lodovico
Don’t do it.

Call Cassio.

I have been ordered to return to Venice. My successor is Cassio.

Hell and death.

I will follow orders.

(Whispering to Desdemona) Weep as much as you like.
(To the people) I leave everything to the new general.

Lodovico
Otello, please, comfort her, or you’ll break her heart.

We sail tomorrow. (Grasping Desdemona) Bow down and weep.

I am prostrate on the ground, covered in mud and weeping. Once there was happiness, now there is suffering.

Emilia
The Pure One is suffering. No one does not shed a tear for her.

Roderigo
Desdemona, the golden angel, is leaving me.

My fate was sealed. It was left to my helpless hands. It must have been the storm that raised me to the heights.

You will take your revenge on her as planned. I’m going to get rid of Cassio.

That’s right.

If the ship sails at dawn, Cassio is the general. But if something happens, Otello will remain here. If Otello stays, Desdemona will also stay here. I will let you know when to kill Cassio. You will kill Cassio.

Roderigo
I have sold you my honor and my power.

(To the people in the hall) Come on, everyone, get out of here.

I don’t know how to get away from this blood. When I think of those two together… handkerchiefs. Ah!

People’s voices
Long live Otello. Glory to the Lion of Venice.

This is the lion.

Emilia
Was Otello calm?

I think so. He ordered me to lie down and wait for him.

Emilia. Spread out on my bed my white bridal gown. If I die before you, bury me in that veil.

Emilia
Please do not think that way.

My mother had a poor maid. She loved a man, but he left her. She used to sing “The Willow Song”.

‘Comb my hair, please.

“In the wilderness, where she sang and cried, she cried with sadness. Willow, willow, willow.”

Poor little thing. The song ends like this.

“He was born for his glory, I was born to love.”

Can’t you hear sobbing? Be quiet. Who’s knocking at the door?

Piangea cantando nell’erma landa

Emilia
It’s the wind.

“To love him and to die, I will sing. Willow, willow, willow.”

My eyelashes are burning. It’s a sign of tears. Good night. Goodbye, Emilia.

Maria, full of charity. O woman was chosen from wives and maidens. Jesus, born of the Blessed One. Pray for those who adore you and rely on you. Pray for us. In all times, even in death. Ave Maria. …even unto death.

Ave Maria

Who is that there? Otello?

Have you finished your night prayers? If you remember the sins you have committed, you can pray. I don’t want to kill your heart.

Diceste questa sera le vostre preci

Do you want to kill me?

That’s right. Think of your sins.

My sin is that I loved. Am I to die for having loved you?

You love Cassio.

I don’t love Cassio. Please call him. He will talk to you.

Cassio can’t say anything forever.

Is he dead? It’s over. He must have been tricked by someone.

Are you going to cry for him?

Otello… will not kill me.

It is as silent as a tomb.

Emilia
Open the door, please! Something terrible has happened. Cassio has killed Roderigo.

Aprite! Aprite!

What happened to Cassio?

Emilia
He is alive.

I will be killed unjustly. I will die without sin.

Emilia
Who did it!

It’s no one. It’s me. …I die without sin. Goodbye.

I killed her. She was Cassio’s mistress. Ask your husband, Iago.

Emilia
Foolish. Did you believe him!

Do you deny it?

Emilia
I’m not afraid of you. Somebody! Come, please. Otello has killed Desdemona!

Iago, Cassio, Lodovico
What’s all the fuss? (Looking at Desdemona) Terrible!

Emilia
(To Iago) You disprove this dastardly murderer. Did you think that Desdemona had been unfaithful to him? Speak!

That’s what I believed.

Desdemona gave Cassio the handkerchief that I had once given her.

Emilia
God!

Shut up!

Emilia
This man took her handkerchief from me by force.

And did I end up finding that handkerchief in my house?

Montano
The dying Roderigo revealed all of Iago’s schemes.

Explain yourself!

I refuse.

Lodovico
Put down your sword.

What are you talking about? No one needs to be afraid of me. The path I followed is over. The glory of Otello is over!

(Drops his sword. Approaches the bed, looks at Desdemona.)

And you… How pale you are. A pious woman born under an evil star. Desdemona, you’re dead. I still have my weapon.

Niun mi tema

Please don’t do this.

Lodovico and Montano
Pity.

Before I killed you, I kissed you. Now you’re dead, lying in the dark. I wanted to kiss you again.