War Requiem

In the second half of the 16th century, the island of Cyprus, which is under Venetian rule, is besieged by a Turkish fleet. Othello, a man of Moorish origin in the service of Venice, is appointed to command the island’s forces in the battle against the attackers and lead the battle against the Turks. The plot takes place around the governor’s palace in Cyprus.

Act One

Venetian officers and the people of Cyprus await the arrival of Othello the Moor, the ruler of Venice, whose ship is struggling in the violent storm raging outside. The storm subsides and Othello anchors off the island to the joyous sounds of the crowd. The only ones who do not share in the joy are Iago and Roderigo – Iago is frustrated and bitter that Othello has appointed Cassio as his deputy, while Roderigo is unhappy because of his love for Desdemona, Othello’s wife. Iago is already plotting his revenge in his mind and when Cassio appears, Iago and Roderigo get him drunk and lead him to a duel with Montanus. Othello, called to intervene in the fight, dismisses Cassio from his new position. Desdemona also leaves and as everyone leaves, she and Othello reaffirm their love for each other.

Second act

Iago, now Othello’s confidant, continues to set the wheels of his plot in motion. He advises Cassio to ask Desdemona to speak on his behalf to Othello and ask for forgiveness for his shameful act. The teacher sees Cassio with his wife and Iago plants the seed of jealousy in him, which germinates when Desdemona comes to talk about her husband’s heart to forgive Cassio, their old friend. Iago takes Desdemona’s handkerchief from his wife, Emilia, Desdemona’s companion. He will later use it as evidence. When he is alone with Othello, Iago tells him how he heard Cassio talking about Desdemona in his sleep, as if the two were in love. Othello swears revenge and Iago promises to help him and provide him with the necessary evidence.

Act Three
A herald announces the arrival of the ambassadors from Venice. Before they arrive, Desdemona again brings up the subject of Cassio, and Othello rejects her pleas and asks her to show him the special handkerchief he gave her. When she cannot find it, he openly accuses her of treason – despite her angelic appearance, she is no more than a prostitute. Desdemona does not understand the meaning of the accusations. Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca, his mistress, but lets Othello, who is secretly listening, assume that they are talking about Desdemona. Cassio shows a handkerchief that he mysteriously found in his room, the same handkerchief that Iago planted there, and Othello, who cannot hear the two’s conversation but sees the handkerchief, is finally convinced. He ends up telling her to murder Desdemona that very night and promote Iago to the rank of captain. Everyone gathers for the arrival of Ludovico, the ambassador from Venice. When Othello reads the message from the Doge, Ludovico remarks on Cassio’s absence. Othello can no longer contain his burning jealousy and in front of everyone he insults his wife and then reads aloud the Doge’s orders: he himself must return to Venice and Cassio will be the governor in his place. While everyone is talking about the new message and the insult that Othello has insulted Desdemona, Iago urges Othello to kill his wife and promises that he will take care of Cassio himself. Immediately afterwards he asks Roderigo to kill Cassio so that Othello – and Desdemona – can remain in Cyprus. In a rage, Othello throws everyone out of his sight and collapses as he imagines his wife’s betrayal of him. Iago feels the victory of the battle.

Act Four

Desdemona prepares to board the ship and remembers the sad song sung by her mother’s companion, a song about her love for the man who abandoned her. “He was born to glory, and I – to love him and die,” the song ends. She prays to the Holy Virgin. Othello arrives and demands that his wife ask forgiveness for all her sins before he kills her. She denies the accusations of adultery with Cassio, but he strangles her. Amelia returns with news that Cassio has killed Roderigo. She sees the dying Desdemona and cries for help. Iago’s handkerchief plot is discovered and he escapes for his life. Othello commits suicide over his lover’s dead body.