Othello’s Lost Handkerchief Spotted With Cassio

The Proof is in the Pooding

In Cyprus, near the castle chambers in the cellars, I saw the noble Venetian Moor Othello and his standard-bearer, Iago speaking to one another about Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio. I then went to find Cassio, Othello’s lieutenant, to stand my post as his temporary guard As I left Iago and Othello, I heard Iago mention a handkerchief that he had given to Desdemona that now belonged to Cassio. Before I heard much more, I fled the scene.

I found Cassio and he asked me if I had seen Iago, and I told him I had seen him in the castle chambers. We then walked our way back to the chambers where I had fled, so Cassio could speak to Iago Once we had finally made it back to the chambers, Iago ran to see who was approaching He ran back behind the wall, but it was unclear as to why.

Iago informed Cassio that Othello wasn’t feeling well, but Iago insisted Cassio wait for Iago to get Othello away so that he and Cassio could speak in private. Iago walked back to check on Othello, who had a better sound of mind after hearing it was Cassio who entered the room. Once Iago came back, I walked to a corner to let the two have privacy

In the corner of my eye, I saw Othello creeping behind a wall and watching Iago and Cassio speak.

Iago began the conversation by saying,

Cassio began smiling and laughing while Othello was in the corner with a face of disgust and vengeance.

Cassio replied saying, “Alas, poor rogue! I think, i' faith, she loves me.”

Othello’s eyes widened. I didn’t understand why Othello was hiding. He seemed angry and anxious.

Iago then asked Cassio whether or not he was planning on marrying someone. Cassio laughed at first but then confirmed that it was the other way around:

“This is the monkey's own giving out: she is persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise She was here even now; she haunts me in every place. I was the other day talking on the sea-bank with certain Venetians; and thither comes the bauble, and, by this hand, she falls me thus about my neck—”

Othello’s face had never been more filled with rage at this point. He looked like an animal ready to feast on prey.

Then Bianca, a prostitute who Cassio had been seeing, stormed into the room. She had been holding a handkerchief with red strawberries on it. That handkerchief was the one that Othello had given to Desdemona, who Iago accused of giving to Cassio. Bianca angrily interrupts Iago and Cassio’s conversation by saying,

“Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the work?—A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your chamber, and not know who left it there! This is some minx's token, and I must take out the work? There; give it your hobby-horse: wheresoever you had it, I'll take out no work on't.”

Cassio explains why he gave her the handkerchief as a memory and she lures him into having another go at another coupling night.

It must have been Bianca that Cassio was talking about before. After Cassio and Bianca leave, I follow to stand my post as Cassio’s guard. Iago just waited and stared as we left.

The Interuption

A trumpet goes off and attendants, Desdemona and Lodovico, a nobleman of Venice and Desdemona's cousin, approach me as I lose side of Cassio while he ran after Bianca. He asked if I had seen Othello anywhere, and I told him he may be in the castle chambers. He was holding a letter with Othello’s name written on the folding. He requested that I take him to the chambers so that he can give him the letter with urgency Desdemona came along as I lead the way to the castle chambers

They approach Othello with a letter. Lodovico then asks about Cassio’s absence and Desdemona answers saying that he and her Othello are not on good terms since Othello had demoted Cassio from his lieutenant position. She then says,

“A most unhappy one: I would do much to atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.”

Othello then angrily calls her a devil and asks her if she is speaking wisely. Desdemona was shocked and sad by Othello's words. Desdemona starts to cry and Lodovico insists that they patch whatever disagreement they are having Othello showed no remorse and replied saying,

“O devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight!”

Lodovico was no accepting of Othello’s behavior and ask he fix himself immediately Othello asks what he should do with her, and Lodovico is confused by his question. Othello clarifies by saying,

“Ay; you did wish that I would make her turn: sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, and turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep; and she's obedient, as you say, obedient, very obedient. Proceed you in your tears. Concerning this, sir, O well-painted passion! I am commanded home. Get you away; I'll send for you anon. Sir, I obey the mandate, and will return to Venice. Hence, avaunt! Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight, I do entreat that we may sup t me, sir, to Cyprus.—Goats and monkeys!”

Desdemona leaves the room and Lodovico continues to disapprove of his behavior, but Iago interrupts and tells Lodovico that Othello has changed because of a hard truth he has discovered:

“Alas, alas! It is not honesty in me to speak what I have seen and known. You shall observe him, and his own courses will denote him so that I may save my speech: do but go after, and mark how he continues.” - Iago

Lodovico still confused, apologizes for deceiving Othello’s behavior and leaves the room. I follow Lodovico, confused and in shock.