Act I, Scene I

[Scene: A warm Venitian night. The act fades into view. Iago and Roderigo enter from opposite sides of the set; Iago from the left, Roderigo from the right. Iago has just been informed that Michael Cassio, a fellow soldier, has been promoted to Lieutenant]

Roderigo: Hey Iago! What’s up man, how have you been?
Iago: Terrible, just terrible. You know that Michael Cassio guy? You know the one who is buddies with Othello?
Roderigo: Oh I think I know who your talking about. He was Othello’s sidekick right, like his right-hand man?
Iago: Yea that's him, and guess what happened?
Roderigo: Cassio approached you and let you know that Desdemona eloped with Othello? Iago: Wait, what happened?
Roderigo: Yea man, I don’t know what your problem is but the love of my life just ran off with that moor bastard.
Iago: You don’t say? Well my problem is that Othello just promoted Cassio as Lieutenant. Man I should have received that promotion. There is just no way that Cassio is as qualified as me. How can that stupid moor promote him over me? I’ll tell you one thing. The only reason I am going to remain in this infantry is so that I can execute some sort of revenge on Othello. “I follow him to serve my turn upon him.” (I.i.42)
Roderigo: How do you expect to do that. After all, he is the “great moor Othello.” It isn’t as though you could just walk in one day and kill him or something. Iago: Take it easy Roderigo. Take it step by step. First lets go tell Brabantio about his daughter’s marrage to that damn moor.
Roderigo: Oh you’re slick Iago. Brabantio is so racist, he will go straight to the Duke if he has to in order to make sure that Othello is punished.

[Scene changes to Brabantio’s window ledge where Bradantio is awakened by Roderigo and Iago]

Roderigo: Brabantio!
Iago: Awake! What ho, Brabantio! Thieves! thieves! thieves! Look to your home, your daughter, and your bags! Thieves! thieves! (I.i.79-81)
Brabantio: What the hell do you infidels need now?
Iago: Brabantio, you must dress and come downstairs at once for “an old black ram/Is tupping your white ewe.” (I.i.88)
Brabantio: What the hell are you saying? Look I have a busy day tomorrow and I don’t need any crap from you guys right now.
Roderigo: Your daughter is in the “clasps of a lascivious Moor.” If you don’t believe us, check her chamber.
Brabantio: Excuse me for a second gentlemen.
[A Few Seconds Later]
Brabantio: Theif! That lascivious thief! I will skin him alive if need be!
[Running down the stairs]
Brabantio: You two, tell me where my daughter is or you too shall be sorry.
Roderigo: Sir, we do not know honest! We just know that the moor took your daughter.
Brabantio: Did they marry? Please, you do know this much correct?
Iago: I apologize sir, but yes they did marry.
Brabantio: “Treason!” [Running down the street still in his night clothing] “Treason!”