Act 5, Scene 1 — Othello — Study Shakespeare

The argument Iago stations Roderigo in ambush for Cassio. Roderigo wounds Cassio; Iago from darkness wounds Cassio in the leg. Iago kills Roderigo to silence him. Lodovico and Gratiano arrive at the noise. Bianca runs out. Iago accuses her of involvement. Emilia arrives and is sent by Iago to tell Othello what has happened.

Enter Iago and Roderigo.

IAGO ≋ verse [coldly goading Roderigo to strike]

Here, stand behind this bulk. Straight will he come.

Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home.

Quick, quick, fear nothing; I’ll be at thy elbow.

It makes us, or it mars us, think on that,

And fix most firm thy resolution.

Here, stand behind this building. He will come directly. Wield your sword carefully, and drive it home. Quickly, quickly, show no fear; I'll be at your side. This makes us or destroys us—think carefully on that, And fix your resolve most firmly.

Get behind this building here. He'll be here any second. Have your sword ready and use it. Come on, don't be scared; I'll be right next to you. This is everything for us—either we win or we lose it all. Make up your mind.

hide here he's coming keep ur sword ready go for it i got ur back this is everything

RODERIGO [nervous, doubting his own courage]

Be near at hand, I may miscarry in ’t.

Stay close by me; I might fail at this.

Stay nearby; I might mess this up.

stay close i might mess up

Why it matters Iago's indifference to which of the two men survives shows us how completely he has reduced people to instruments. Roderigo has served his purpose; Cassio needs to die; the order in which they die is irrelevant.

🎭 Dramatic irony Iago's aside — 'every way makes my gain' — is the clearest statement of his amoral calculation. He genuinely doesn't care which of the two men dies. The audience hears this while both Cassio and Roderigo believe Iago is their ally.

IAGO [icy, positioning himself to watch]

Here, at thy hand. Be bold, and take thy stand.

I'm right here at your side. Be brave and get ready.

I'm right here. Be strong and stand firm.

i'm here be brave

[_Retires to a little distance._]

RODERIGO ≋ verse [forcing himself to commit murder]

I have no great devotion to the deed;

And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons.

’Tis but a man gone. Forth, my sword; he dies.

I don't feel strongly drawn to this action; Yet he has given me reasons that satisfy me. It is only one man gone. Come on, my sword; he will die.

I'm not exactly excited about doing this; But he's convinced me it's the right thing. It's just one guy. Let's go, blade; it's time to kill.

don't really want this but he convinced me just one guy lets do it

[_Goes to his stand._]

IAGO ≋ verse [coldly calculating who profits most]

I have rubb’d this young quat almost to the sense,

And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,

Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,

Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,

He calls me to a restitution large

Of gold and jewels that I bobb’d from him,

As gifts to Desdemona.

It must not be. If Cassio do remain,

He hath a daily beauty in his life

That makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor

May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril.

No, he must die. But so, I hear him coming.

I have irritated this young man almost past bearing, And he grows angry. Now, whether he kills Cassio, Or Cassio kills him, or each kills the other, Every way works to my advantage. If Roderigo lives, He would demand from me a full repayment Of gold and jewels that I stole from him, As gifts to Desdemona. It must not be. If Cassio survives, He has a daily beauty in his life That makes me seem ugly. And besides, the Moor May reveal me to him; there I face great danger. No, he must die. But listen, I hear him coming.

I've pushed this young guy to the edge of losing it, And he's furious now. Look, either he kills Cassio, Or Cassio kills him, or they kill each other— Any of it works for me. If Roderigo lives, He's going to demand back every piece of gold and jewelry I stole from him to give to Desdemona. That can't happen. And if Cassio makes it, He's so naturally good-looking and decent It makes me look terrible next to him. Plus, Othello Might tell him what I've done; that puts me in real danger. No way. Cassio has to die. Wait, I hear him coming.

pushed the kid too hard now he's mad if roderigo lives he'll want his money back if cassio lives he makes me look bad and othello might tell him i'm guilty cassio's gotta die here he comes

"Every way makes my gain" This is Iago's manipulation of contingency at its most explicit: he has created a situation where he wins regardless of outcome. This is the architecture of his whole plan — not a single timeline but a set of possible outcomes, all of which serve him.

Enter Cassio.

RODERIGO [lunging at Cassio in ambush]

I know his gait; ’tis he. Villain, thou diest!

I know how he walks; it's him. Villain, you die!

I'd know that walk anywhere; it's him. You're done for!

i know it's him villain you're done

[_Rushes out, and makes a pass at Cassio._]

CASSIO ≋ verse [startled but fighting back hard]

That thrust had been mine enemy indeed,

But that my coat is better than thou know’st.

I will make proof of thine.

That blow would have been my death, Except my coat is stronger than you know. I will test yours.

That would've killed me if my armor wasn't so good. But it is, so now it's your turn.

that would've killed me but my armor's strong now ur turn

[_Draws, and wounds Roderigo._]

RODERIGO [crying out, mortally wounded]

O, I am slain!

I'm killed!

I'm mortally wounded!

i'm done

Why it matters Iago has now killed Roderigo, wounded Cassio from ambush, and reappeared as a concerned passerby. The transformation from murderer to bystander takes him approximately thirty seconds.

🎭 Dramatic irony Iago asks 'What villains have done this?' — while being the villain who did it. His performance of horror is immediate and convincing. Cassio, wounded, cannot yet speak clearly. Iago manages the scene entirely.

[_Iago rushes from his post, cuts Cassio behind in the leg, and exit._]

CASSIO [in agony, crying for help]

I am maim’d forever. Help, ho! murder, murder!

I am wounded for life. Help, someone! Murder, murder!

I'm ruined. Somebody help me! Murder! Help!

im dying help murder

🎭 Dramatic irony Iago accuses Bianca of involvement in the attack. She is innocent — she happened to arrive at the noise. The man who actually attacked Cassio is the one making the accusation.

[_Falls._]

Enter Othello.

OTHELLO [grimly satisfied revenge is done]

The voice of Cassio. Iago keeps his word.

That's Cassio's voice. Iago kept his promise.

That's Cassio yelling. Iago came through for me.

that's cassio iago kept his word

RODERIGO [dying, realizing Iago's betrayal]

O, villain that I am!

I am such a villain!

What a wretched creature I am!

what a villain i am

OTHELLO [coldly resolved to kill Desdemona]

It is even so.

That's exactly as I thought.

Just as I suspected.

exactly what i thought

CASSIO [frantic, bleeding, calling for help]

O, help, ho! light! a surgeon!

Help, someone! Light! I need a surgeon!

Somebody help me! I need light! Get a doctor!

help i need light get a doctor

OTHELLO ≋ verse [dark triumph, rushing to kill]

’Tis he. O brave Iago, honest and just,

That hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrong!

Thou teachest me,—minion, your dear lies dead,

And your unbless’d fate hies. Strumpet, I come!

Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted;

Thy bed, lust-stain’d, shall with lust’s blood be spotted.

That's him. Oh, brave Iago, honest and fair, You feel your friend's injury so deeply and nobly! You show me what to do. You hussy, your darling is lying dead, And your own cursed doom is racing toward you. Whore, I'm coming! Your eyes, those spells you cast on me, are wiped out of my heart; Your bed, stained by lust, will be spattered with your lustful blood.

That's Cassio screaming. Iago, you legend, so loyal and so right, you take what was done to me like it was done to you! You're showing me how it's done. Hey, you little tramp, your boyfriend's dead, and you're next, it's coming for you fast. I'm on my way! Those eyes of yours don't work on me anymore, I've scrubbed them out; the bed you cheated in is going to get splattered with your blood.

cassio's down, iago came thru ur boyfriend's dead btw ur next done falling for those eyes coming home now

Why it matters Iago immediately points at Bianca — identifying her as a suspect before anyone has asked. This is his standard technique: redirect suspicion proactively onto someone convenient. Bianca is a woman of lower status, associated with Cassio; she makes a perfect target.

[_Exit._]

Enter Lodovico and Gratiano.

CASSIO [desperate, no one is answering]

What, ho! No watch? No passage? murder, murder!

Why is there no guard? Why is no one coming? Murder, murder!

Isn't anyone watching? Why is nobody out here? Murder! Help!

anyone there help murder

GRATIANO [alarmed by the terrible cries]

’Tis some mischance; the cry is very direful.

This is some misfortune; the cry is very frightening.

Something terrible is happening; those screams are horrible.

somethings wrong those screams r terrifying

Why it matters Iago sending Emilia to tell Othello what has happened is the last piece of the plan: it ensures Othello proceeds with the murder before the confusion of the night can give him pause.

CASSIO [weakening, pleading for help]

O, help!

LODOVICO [straining to listen, wary]

Hark!

Listen!

listen

RODERIGO [groaning in pain and self-blame]

O wretched villain!

LODOVICO ≋ verse [cautious, suspecting a trap]

Two or three groan. It is a heavy night.

These may be counterfeits. Let’s think’t unsafe

To come in to the cry without more help.

Two or three men are groaning. It is a dark night. These may be fakes. It seems unsafe To go toward the crying without more help.

I hear two or three guys moaning. It's pitch black. They could be faking it. It's not safe To run toward those screams without more people.

ppl r groaning it's dark could be fake need more ppl before we go

RODERIGO [despairing, bleeding out alone]

Nobody come? Then shall I bleed to death.

Is no one coming? Then I will bleed to death.

Isn't anyone going to come? I'm going to bleed out.

no one coming im dying

Enter Iago with a light.

LODOVICO [tense, catching another sound]

Hark!

Listen!

listen

GRATIANO [wary of the approaching stranger]

Here’s one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons.

Here comes someone in his nightshirt, with light and weapons.

Someone's coming in his underclothes, carrying light and weapons.

someone coming has light n weapons

IAGO [feigning alarm, playing rescuer]

Who’s there? Whose noise is this that cries on murder?

Who is there? Whose noise is this shouting murder?

Who's out there? Who's screaming about murder?

who's there who's screaming

LODOVICO [guarded, unsure who to trust]

We do not know.

We don't know.

We have no idea.

dunno

IAGO [probing, acting the concerned officer]

Did not you hear a cry?

Didn't you hear someone shouting?

You didn't hear the screaming?

u didn't hear that

CASSIO [relieved, begging whoever it is]

Here, here! for heaven’s sake, help me!

This way, over here! Please, in heaven's name, help me!

I'm over here! Please, somebody help me!

im here help me

IAGO [feigning surprise at the scene]

What’s the matter?

GRATIANO [recognizing Iago with relief]

This is Othello’s ancient, as I take it.

This is Othello's officer, as I understand it.

That's Othello's lieutenant, if I'm right.

that's othello's guy

LODOVICO [reassured, vouching for Iago]

The same indeed, a very valiant fellow.

The very same, indeed, a very brave man.

Yes, that's him, and he's a real soldier.

yep that's him

IAGO [playing the concerned officer]

What are you here that cry so grievously?

What are you doing here, crying so bitterly?

What happened to you? Why are you screaming?

what happened why u screaming

CASSIO ≋ verse [relieved to see a friend]

Iago? O, I am spoil’d, undone by villains!

Give me some help.

Iago? I am ruined, destroyed by villains! Give me some help.

Iago? I'm finished, torn up by these criminals! Help me out here.

iago im destroyed help me

IAGO [mock horror at Cassio's wound]

O me, lieutenant! What villains have done this?

Oh my lieutenant! What villains have done this?

Oh no, lieutenant! Who did this to you?

who did this to u

CASSIO ≋ verse [weak but urging pursuit]

I think that one of them is hereabout,

And cannot make away.

I think one of them is still nearby, And can't get away.

I think one of them is still around here, And can't escape.

ones still here can't escape

IAGO [feigning shock at the ambush]

O treacherous villains!

IAGO ≋ verse [quickly taking charge of the scene]

[_To Lodovico and Gratiano._] What are you there?

Come in and give some help.

Who are you there? Come in and give us some help.

You two there! Get in here and help!

hey you two get in here help us

RODERIGO [crying out in pain, dying]

O, help me here!

Help me here!

Somebody help me!

help me

CASSIO [identifying his attacker to Iago]

That’s one of them.

There is one of my attackers.

There's one of the attackers.

that's one of em

IAGO [stabbing Roderigo under cover of outrage]

O murderous slave! O villain!

You murderous slave! You villain!

You murderer! You scum!

murderer scum

[_Stabs Roderigo._]

RODERIGO [dying, finally seeing Iago's treachery]

O damn’d Iago! O inhuman dog!

You cursed Iago! You inhuman dog!

You evil Iago! You monster!

iago u're evil u monster

"He stabs RODERIGO" Iago kills Roderigo not in rage but in calculation — he is silencing the one person who knows the whole scheme. Roderigo has become a liability. His dying words — 'O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!' — are the play's first clear condemnation of Iago from a victim who knows what was done to him.

IAGO ≋ verse [loudly performing outrage for onlookers]

Kill men i’ the dark! Where be these bloody thieves?

How silent is this town! Ho! murder! murder!

What may you be? Are you of good or evil?

Killing men in darkness! Where are these bloody thieves? How silent is this town! Help! Murder! Murder! What are you people? Are you good or evil?

Stabbing people in the dark! Where are these killers? Why is this town so quiet? Help! Murder! Help! Who are you people? Are you good people or bad?

killing in the dark where r the killers help who r u u good or evil

LODOVICO [cautiously identifying himself]

As you shall prove us, praise us.

We will prove ourselves good by our actions.

You'll see who we are by what we do.

we'll prove it with actions

IAGO [surprised, recognizing a Venetian noble]

Signior Lodovico?

LODOVICO [plainly confirming himself]

He, sir.

Yes, that's me.

That's right, that's me.

yeah that's me

IAGO [smoothly directing attention to Cassio]

I cry you mercy. Here’s Cassio hurt by villains.

I beg your pardon. Here is Cassio, hurt by villains.

I apologize for not greeting you. Cassio's been attacked by criminals.

sorry cassio got attacked

GRATIANO [shocked to hear the name]

Cassio!

IAGO [playing the devoted friend]

How is’t, brother?

How are you, my friend?

How are you doing?

you ok?

CASSIO [in pain, reporting his wound]

My leg is cut in two.

My leg is split in two.

My leg is completely severed.

my leg's cut in half

IAGO ≋ verse [performing tender concern for Cassio]

Marry, heaven forbid!

Light, gentlemen, I’ll bind it with my shirt.

By heaven, that's terrible! Light, gentlemen, I'll bind it with my shirt.

Oh god, no! Somebody bring light, I'll wrap it with my shirt.

no way i'll tie it up

Enter Bianca.

BIANCA [alarmed, rushing toward the commotion]

What is the matter, ho? Who is’t that cried?

What's going on? Who is it that was shouting?

What's happening? Who was screaming?

what's going on who was screaming

IAGO [deflecting, testing who has arrived]

Who is’t that cried?

Who was it that shouted?

Who was screaming out there?

who screamed

BIANCA [distraught at seeing Cassio hurt]

O my dear Cassio, my sweet Cassio! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

Oh my dear Cassio, my sweet Cassio! Oh Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

Cassio! My love, my sweet Cassio! Oh Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

cassio m love cassio cassio cassio

IAGO ≋ verse [contemptuously casting suspicion on Bianca]

O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect

Who they should be that have thus mangled you?

Oh you wretched whore! Cassio, do you suspect Who these people are that have hurt you so badly?

You cheap tramp! Cassio, can you tell Who these people are that messed you up?

u tramp cassio know who did this

CASSIO [too weak and confused to answer]

No.

GRATIANO [sympathetic, saddened by the sight]

I am sorry to find you thus; I have been to seek you.

I'm sorry to find you in this condition; I've been looking for you.

It's terrible seeing you like this; I've been searching everywhere for you.

terrible seeing u like this looked everywhere for u

IAGO ≋ verse [busily staging himself as helpful]

Lend me a garter. So.—O, for a chair,

To bear him easily hence!

Lend me a garter. So.—Oh, I need a chair, To carry him comfortably away!

Give me a belt. Okay.—Oh, we need a stretcher, So we can move him without hurting him more!

give me a belt need a stretcher to move him

BIANCA [panicking as Cassio weakens]

Alas, he faints! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

Oh no, he's fainting! Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

He's passing out! Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

he's dying cassio cassio cassio

IAGO ≋ verse [feigning shock recognizing Roderigo]

Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash

To be a party in this injury.

Patience awhile, good Cassio. Come, come;

Lend me a light. Know we this face or no?

Alas, my friend and my dear countryman

Roderigo? No. Yes, sure; O heaven! Roderigo.

Gentlemen all, I suspect this woman To be a party to this attack. Have patience, good Cassio. Come, come; Lend me a light. Do we know this person or not? Oh, my friend and my dear countryman Roderigo? No. Yes, certainly; my heavens! Roderigo.

Gentlemen, I think this woman Was involved in this attack. Hang in there, Cassio. Come on; Bring me some light. Do any of us know this person? Oh wait, it's my friend, my dear countryman Roderigo? No. Yes, it is; oh my god! Roderigo.

she was in on it hang on cassio bring light is that roderigo no wait yep it's roderigo

GRATIANO [startled by the name Roderigo]

What, of Venice?

IAGO [probing Gratiano's connection to Roderigo]

Even he, sir. Did you know him?

That very one, sir. Did you know him?

That's him, yes. Did you know him?

that's him u know him

GRATIANO [grimly acknowledging he knew him]

Know him? Ay.

Know him? Yes.

Know him? Of course.

know him? yeah

IAGO ≋ verse [smoothly apologetic, keeping up appearances]

Signior Gratiano? I cry you gentle pardon.

These bloody accidents must excuse my manners,

That so neglected you.

Signor Gratiano? I beg your forgiveness. These violent accidents must excuse my poor manners, That I so neglected you.

Gratiano! I apologize. With all this chaos happening, I wasn't as polite As I should have been.

sorry gratiano all this chaos forgive me

GRATIANO [relieved to see a familiar face]

I am glad to see you.

I'm glad to see you.

Good to see you.

good to c u

IAGO [bustling to seem indispensable]

How do you, Cassio? O, a chair, a chair!

How are you, Cassio? Oh, we need a chair!

How you doing, Cassio? We need a stretcher!

u ok cassio need a stretcher

GRATIANO [shocked, recognizing the dying man]

Roderigo!

IAGO [coolly confirming the corpse's identity]

He, he, ’tis he.

It's him, yes, it's him.

That's him, that's definitely him.

that's him

[_A chair brought in._]

IAGO [turning suspicion onto Bianca instead]

O, that’s well said; the chair.

Some good man bear him carefully from hence,

I’ll fetch the general’s surgeon. [_To Bianca_] For you, mistress,

Save you your labour. He that lies slain here, Cassio,

Was my dear friend. What malice was between you?

Good, the chair is here. Someone carry him away carefully; I'll fetch the general's surgeon. As for you, mistress, don't bother yourself. The man lying dead here was my dear friend. What conflict did you have with him?

Good, there's the chair. Somebody carry him out of here gently; I'll go get the general's surgeon. And you, mistress—don't worry about it. This dead man was my dear friend. What was your problem with him?

good, the chair someone carry him away i'll get the surgeon mistress, don't bother the dead man was my friend what did u have against him?

CASSIO [wary, refusing to name Roderigo]

None in the world. Nor do I know the man.

Not in the entire world. And I don't know the person.

Nobody anywhere. I don't even know who this guy is.

idk who this is never seen him

IAGO [feigning concern while watching Bianca]

[_To Bianca._] What, look you pale?—O, bear him out o’ the air.

Why are you looking pale?—Oh, carry him out into the open air.

Why do you look so pale?—Quick, get him outside into the fresh air.

y u looking pale get him outside

[_Cassio and Roderigo are borne off._]

IAGO ≋ verse [steering suspicion onto Bianca]

Stay you, good gentlemen.—Look you pale, mistress?

Do you perceive the gastness of her eye?

Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon.

Behold her well. I pray you, look upon her.

Do you see, gentlemen? Nay, guiltiness will speak

Though tongues were out of use.

Stay here, good gentlemen.—Look at you, pale mistress? Do you see the fear in her eyes? No, if you stare, we'll hear more soon. Look at her carefully. I ask you, observe her. Do you see, gentlemen? No, guilt will show itself Even when people stay silent.

Stay right here, gentlemen.—You see how pale she is? Look at the terror in her face. If you watch her, we'll see the truth. Keep your eyes on her. Please, look at her carefully. Do you see it, gentlemen? Guilt screams out Even when people don't say a word.

stay here look how pale she is look at her eyes she's terrified she's guilty guilty shows itself

Enter Emilia.

EMILIA [anxious, arriving to a bloody scene]

’Las, what’s the matter? What’s the matter, husband?

Oh my, what's the matter? What's happened, husband?

What's going on? What happened, husband?

what happened hubby

IAGO ≋ verse [calmly rewriting events for Emilia]

Cassio hath here been set on in the dark

By Roderigo, and fellows that are ’scap’d.

He’s almost slain, and Roderigo dead.

Cassio was attacked here in the darkness By Roderigo and men who have escaped. He's almost killed, and Roderigo is dead.

Cassio was jumped on here in the dark By Roderigo and some guys who got away. Cassio's barely alive, and Roderigo's dead.

cassio got attacked roderigo's here too roderigo's dead cassio's dying

EMILIA [genuinely grieved for Cassio]

Alas, good gentleman! alas, good Cassio!

Oh, poor gentleman! Poor Cassio!

Oh no! Poor Cassio!

poor cassio

IAGO ≋ verse [needling Bianca, testing her nerve]

This is the fruit of whoring. Prithee, Emilia,

Go know of Cassio where he supp’d tonight.

What, do you shake at that?

This is what comes from whoring. Come on, Emilia, Find out from Cassio where he had supper tonight. What, are you shaking at that?

This is what happens when people sleep around. Emilia, Go ask Cassio where he ate dinner tonight. Why, are you nervous about that?

this is what whoring gets u emilia ask where he ate why u shaking

BIANCA [defensive, refusing to be shamed]

He supp’d at my house, but I therefore shake not.

He had supper at my house, but I'm not shaking for that reason.

He ate dinner at my place, but that's not why I'm upset.

he ate at my place that's not y im upset

IAGO [seizing her words to arrest her]

O, did he so? I charge you go with me.

Oh, he did? I'm telling you to go with me.

He did? Then you're coming with me.

so ur coming w me

EMILIA [scornful, turning on Bianca]

Fie, fie upon thee, strumpet!

Shame on you, whore!

You're disgusting, you cheap tramp!

ur disgusting

BIANCA ≋ verse [indignant, defending her honor]

I am no strumpet, but of life as honest

As you that thus abuse me.

I am not a whore, but I live as honestly As you who call me one.

I'm not a tramp, and I live just as decently As you do.

im not a tramp im honest like u

EMILIA [disgusted, dismissing Bianca outright]

As I? Foh! fie upon thee!

Like you? Disgusting! Shame on you!

Like me? You disgust me! Shame on you!

like me shame on u

IAGO ≋ verse [aside: anxious the plot may unravel]

Kind gentlemen, let’s go see poor Cassio dress’d.

Come, mistress, you must tell’s another tale.

Emilia, run you to the citadel,

And tell my lord and lady what hath happ’d.

Will you go on afore? [_Aside._] This is the night

That either makes me or fordoes me quite.

Dear gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassio's wounds tended. Come, woman, you must tell us a different story. Emilia, run quickly to the citadel, And tell my lord and lady what has happened. Will you go ahead? [This is my moment: It will either make me or destroy me completely.

Gentlemen, let's go get Cassio's wounds treated. Come on, you need to tell us something else. Emilia, run to the citadel as fast as you can, And tell Othello and Desdemona what went down. Will you go first? [Now everything is on the line: Either I win or I lose it all.

go help cassio u gotta talk emilia tell em what happened this is it win or lose

"run you to the citadel and tell my lord and lady what hath happened" Iago sends Emilia to tell Othello about Cassio's wounding — this is the trigger that will precipitate Othello's murder of Desdemona. He is using his own wife as the messenger that sets off the final catastrophe.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

The scene in which Iago's plots start to collapse even as he tries to contain them. He has sent Roderigo to kill Cassio — badly. Cassio is only wounded; Roderigo is dying. Iago has to improvise: wound Cassio from the dark (to finish the job if possible), kill Roderigo (to prevent him from talking), and redirect suspicion onto Bianca. He almost succeeds. The scene is technically accomplished villainy — Iago manages three simultaneous crises in the dark — but it is the beginning of his unraveling. The bodies are multiplying faster than they can be managed.

If this happened today…

You arranged for a freelance hitman to do a job, and he wounded the target but got wounded himself. Now you have to simultaneously ensure neither the target nor the hitman can testify, redirect the police investigation toward someone else, and maintain your own alibis — all in a dark street while pretending to be a concerned bystander.

Continue to 5.2 →