The Moor of Òwu: An Ìrosùn Tale
Genre: Tragedy (inspired by Othello and the themes of betrayal in the Odu Ìrosùn).
Central Theme: The destructive power of jealousy and how a noble mind, once poisoned by deceit, can destroy innocence and trust.
Ifá Focus: The Ìrosùn Odu, which often warns of betrayal and the need to maintain one's own integrity when others are deceitful. It speaks of the importance of ancestors (Egungun) and warns against selfishness.
Synopsis: Othèllò, a respected general of Òwu, marries the fair-skinned Desdèmóna. His ensign, Ìjàgó, bitter at being passed over for promotion, sows seeds of doubt about Desdèmóna's fidelity with Cassíò. Ìjàgó manipulates an ambiguous Ìrosùn divination, claiming it warns of a wife's hidden betrayal. Othèllò, consumed by jealousy, ignores his wife's truth and his own "Ori's" wisdom, ultimately murdering her and then himself when the truth of Ìjàgó's treachery is revealed.
ACT I
SCENE I. The streets of Òwu, by night. A clamour.
Enter RODERÌGÒ, a wealthy citizen, and ÌJÀGÓ, Othèllò’s ensign.
RODERÌGÒ:
I tell thee, Ìjàgó, this shall not pass;
My purse is lightened, and my hopes are dashed.
You swore to me that you would aid my suit
To win the hand of fair Desdèmóna.
But she, in stealth and silence of the night,
Hath linked her fate to Othèllò, the Moor!
You, his ensign, did know of this affair.
ÌJÀGÓ:
Roderìgò, peace! I knew it, but to scorn it.
As I am an honest man, I hate the Moor.
RODERÌGÒ:
You serve him still? That is a paradox!
ÌJÀGÓ:
He has boarded my boat; well, let him use me.
For know, my friend, I am not what I am.
He passed me by for one that never set
A squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster; mere prattle, without practice,
Is all his soldiership. But he, the Moor,
Hath chosen Cassíò, a Florentine,
A fellow almost damned in a fair wife,
To be his lieutenant. I, his ancient,
Must serve the will of this proud, foreign lord.
I follow him to serve my turn upon him.
We must awaken Bàbá-Ìya, her sire.
RODERÌGÒ:
Here is the house. I'll call aloud.
ÌJÀGÓ:
Do so, and with the most tempestuous tongue
Of slander, raise his house! Cry on his name,
That it may shame him.
(RODERÌGÒ knocks violently at the door.)
RODERÌGÒ:
What ho, Bàbá-Ìya! Wake! Thieves! Thieves!
ÌJÀGÓ:
(To the window, where the aged senator Bàbá-Ìya appears)
Awake the sleeping citizens with us,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you!
You are robb’d; your heart is stol'n by the Moor.
Your daughter's love hath made a journey dark,
Against all natural rites and custom's law!
BÀBÁ-ÌYA:
(Above)
What is the matter there? What clamour rude?
Are you men? What is ‘t you want?
ÌJÀGÓ:
Sir, you have lost your daughter!
A ram doth couple with your white ewe now!
Awake, I say! The Moor is in your fold!
BÀBÁ-ÌYA:
Thou art a villain.
ÌJÀGÓ:
You are a senator.
BÀBÁ-ÌYA:
This is the Prince of Òwu, Othèllò, whom you abuse!
My daughter is not with him.
RODERÌGÒ:
(To Bàbá-Ìya)
Sir, I am Roderìgò, whom your grace
Hath often heard discourse of Cassíò's suit.
She's with the Moor, I swear by Ifá’s chain!
BÀBÁ-ÌYA:
How? With the Moor? Run to the King at once!
Gather your men! Othèllò shall be judged!
(BÀBÁ-ÌYA rushes from the window. Enter GUARDS with torches.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
Farewell, Roderìgò. I must away.
It would not do for me to be seen here
Against the General. I must appear loyal.
I’ll find him and alert him to the rage,
Then meet you at the court. Go, stir the Senator!
(Exit ÌJÀGÓ hastily.)
RODERÌGÒ:
I will. Woe is my heart!
(Exit RODERÌGÒ.)
ACT I
SCENE II. Another part of the streets.
Enter OTHÈLLÒ, the Moor, and ÌJÀGÓ, who has run ahead of the others.
ÌJÀGÓ:
Though I do hate him as I hate the plague,
The Prince, Bàbá-Ìya, I must confess,
Spoke many a scurrilous word 'gainst your good name.
He swore in raging terms, Othèllò,
You had bewitch'd his daughter with some charm,
Or potions bought from hedge-witches of the grove.
'Twould vex my soul to hear a man so noble
So grossly wrong'd; but I, in Christian duty—
OTHÈLLÒ:
(Calmly)
'Tis well, 'tis well. I am not charm'd with his foul speech.
Let him do his worst. My services which I have done the state
Of Òwu, they shall out-tongue his complaints.
For know, Ìjàgó, I love Desdèmóna so much,
I would not change my life with the King's court
For the vast tribal lands. But soft, what lights?
(Enter CASSÍÒ with OFFICERS bearing torches.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
These are the Duke's officials. They seek you out.
OTHÈLLÒ:
The Duke? What urgent business calls at night?
CASSÍÒ:
The Duke commands your haste, good General.
The matters of the state are urgent now,
And all the council's roused; the northern raids,
They say, are a great threat. They wait for you.
OTHÈLLÒ:
I'll follow straight.
(Seeing another group approaching)
But look, what storm is this?
(Enter BÀBÁ-ÌYA, RODERÌGÒ, and SERVANTS, all with torches and weapons.)
BÀBÁ-ÌYA:
Othèllò, thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd
My daughter? Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!
Lay hold upon him! If you have the grace and power to execute upon him!
(Othèllò's men and Bàbá-Ìya's men draw swords and face each other. Othèllò raises a hand.)
OTHÈLLÒ:
Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
Good father, you have been abused; 'tis true.
If you have hurt my honour, strike me dead.
BÀBÁ-ÌYA:
Down with the Moor! (To Othèllò) You shall answer for this!
The King shall hear this tale of sorcery.
OTHÈLLÒ:
I am required by the Duke, and the state's matters
Cannot be thus delayed. Let’s to the court.
There you shall have your justice, Bàbá-Ìya,
Be it my life or your own daughter's truth.
All ears shall hear our cause.
CASSÍÒ:
The General speaks with wisdom. To the Duke!
(Exeunt, all following OTHÈLLÒ in tense silence.)
SCENE III. The Council Chamber.
The DUKE OF ÒWU and SENATORS sit in council. OTHÈLLÒ, BÀBÁ-ÌYA, RODERÌGÒ, CASSÍÒ, and ATTENDANTS enter.
DUKE:
Valiant Othèllò, we must straight employ you
Against the fierce invasion from the North.
But you, good Bàbá-Ìya, seem disturb'd.
What private injury brings you here to court?
BÀBÁ-ÌYA:
A tale of shame, a story to dismay
The father's heart! My daughter is abused,
Stol'n from my house and hearth, by spells and potions,
By Othèllò there, who has corrupted her!
DUKE:
(To Othèllò)
We did not look for this. What say you, Moor?
Have you the wisdom of an upright man?
OTHÈLLÒ:
Most potent, grave, and reverend senators,
My very noble and approved good masters:
That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,
It is most true; true, I have married her.
The head and front of my offending
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,
And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace.
I won his daughter with my life's strange story,
With tales of battles, journeys long and far,
Not with some charm or devilish sorcery.
Send for the lady to confess the truth;
If she denies that she was won by me,
Then let me bear the heaviest punishment.
DUKE:
Send for Desdèmóna.
(A MESSENGER is sent. The council waits in silence.)
BÀBÁ-ÌYA:
You trust the Moor?
DUKE:
We trust his honour. See where she appears.
(Enter DESDÈMÓNA and MESSENGER.)*
BÀBÁ-ÌYA:
Daughter, you owe obedience to my blood.
To whom do you give duty now? Your sire or him?
DESDÈMÓNA:
My noble father, I am bound to you
For life and education; but here's my husband,
And so much duty as my mother show'd
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to my Moor, my lord, my Othèllò.
(The court murmurs in agreement. Bàbá-Ìya accepts his fate.)
DUKE:
The cause is settled. Othèllò, you must leave
To fight the North. Your wife may stay with us,
Or go with you, as is her heart's desire.
OTHÈLLÒ:
We go together. The war calls for haste.
ÌJÀGÓ:
(To himself, observing)
This match is made in heaven, but I shall make the bed in hell.
The Odu speaks of treachery, and I shall be that hand.
(The court rises. The WARRIORS prepare to depart. Curtain falls
ACT II
SCENE I. The Seaport of Òwu. A storm rages.
Enter CASSÍÒ and OFFICERS. The storm is violent.
CASSÍÒ:
The tempest doth rage fierce upon our shores!
The winds do howl, the waves do leap and crash.
No ship can sail this weather, I suspect
Our general’s vessel is in peril dire.
Great Ògún shield them from the watery grave!
(Enter ÌJÀGÓ, RODERÌGÒ, and DESDÈMÓNA.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
Good Cassíò, our ship made port in safety,
Though rattled by the storm. The general,
He stays behind upon the sea, yet safe.
CASSÍÒ:
Madam, a heavy welcome to this place!
I am glad you have made it safely to the shore.
(He takes Desdèmona’s hand and kisses it respectfully)
The general is a brave and noble man.
We wait his coming, and the end of war.
(Othèllò's ship is sighted.)
CASSÍÒ:
The Moor is safe! My heart is fill'd with joy!
(Enter OTHÈLLÒ and ATTENDANTS.)
OTHÈLLÒ:
O my fair warrior! My heart doth sing with joy
To see thy face upon this foreign shore!
If I were now to die, 'twere now to be most happy;
For I fear my soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.
DESDÈMÓNA:
The heavens speed you in your war and in your life.
OTHÈLLÒ:
Amen to that, sweet powers! I cannot speak enough of this content; it stops me here; it weeps for joy.
(They embrace.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
(To himself)
O, you are well tuned now! But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music, as honest as I am.
(He looks at Roderìgò)
Roderìgò, mark the courtesies that Cassíò doth give to the lady. He is a smooth-tongued villain, mark my words.
RODERÌGÒ:
I did observe it, and I did not like it.
ÌJÀGÓ:
In sooth, so did not I. The Odu Ìrosùn did warn of selfish hearts and betrayal. We shall use this warning to our advantage. The Moor must be made to see the truth.
(Exeunt all but ÌJÀGÓ and RODERÌGÒ.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
Hath Cassíò any sense of manly shame?
RODERÌGÒ:
He seems a very honourable man.
ÌJÀGÓ:
He is a rogue, and a base, lewd fellow!
This night we have a feast of celebration.
Cassíò has the watch. He must be made to drink.
We shall make him drunk, and then your quarrel
Will seem a just and righteous indignation.
Rouse the town with fighting, make a brawl!
The General shall hear, and dismiss the man.
RODERÌGÒ:
A brawl? I am not a fighter of the night.
ÌJÀGÓ:
Be a man! You love the lady, do you not?
If Cassíò is dismissed, the path is clear.
Now go and buy a flaggon of strong drink.
I'll do the rest.
(Exeunt, ÌJÀGÓ plotting with a wicked smile.)
SCENE II. A street before the castle.
Enter OTHÈLLÒ, CASSÍÒ, and OFFICERS.
OTHÈLLÒ:
Good Cassíò, know you our place of guard?
CASSÍÒ:
I do, my lord, their order is already set.
OTHÈLLÒ:
Ìjàgó is an honest fellow, I have found.
He shall assist you. Now, good night.
The war is done, but revelry tonight.
The guards must be alert, despite the wine.
CASSÍÒ:
My lord, I shall be vigilant.
(Exit OTHÈLLÒ. Enter ÌJÀGÓ.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
And so, the night begins its wicked dance.
Come, Cassíò, my friend, a cup of wine?
CASSÍÒ:
Not I, good Ìjàgó. I have a weak and thirsty brain.
I have drunk one cup tonight, and I am already light-headed.
ÌJÀGÓ:
Come, man, 'tis a night of joy! The General drinks a toast.
A single cup will not undo a man.
(ÌJÀGÓ leads CASSÍÒ off stage, then re-enters, slightly tipsy himself.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
He's drunk already, ripe for mischief's hand.
Now, Roderìgò, do your part, I pray.
(A noise of fighting and shouting is heard from off-stage. Roderìgò enters, running, pursued by Cassío with a drawn sword.)
RODERÌGÒ:
You rogue! You villain!
CASSÍÒ:
(Drunk and angry)
I’ll knock you to the ground, you piece of filth!
(They fight. OFFICERS rush in to break it up. The general alarm is sounded.)
OFFICER:
Peace, ho! For shame! The General will hear!
(Enter OTHÈLLÒ and ATTENDANTS, swords drawn.)
OTHÈLLÒ:
Silence that dreadful bell! It frights the isle!
What is the matter, here? Honesty, Ìjàgó, speak!
Who began this bloody, drunken fray?
ÌJÀGÓ:
I do not know. Good Cassíò, I thought, was sober,
And Roderìgò a gentleman of worth.
But they did fight as if the devil were in them.
OTHÈLLÒ:
(To Cassío)
Cassíò, I am ashamed of thee! Put off thy sword!
This is a night of shame. For thy good service,
I strip thee of thy office. You are no longer lieutenant.
(Cassío stands in drunken shame.)
CASSÍÒ:
Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial.
OTHÈLLÒ:
Good Ìjàgó, look to the town's quiet.
And you, Cassíò, go nurse your wounded pride.
We shall have peace tonight.
(Exeunt all but ÌJÀGÓ and CASSÍÒ.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
Go to, go to; you are too hard at war with yourself.
Make thy peace with the lady, Desdèmóna.
She has the General’s ear. She can restore thee.
CASSÍÒ:
You are a friend indeed. I will go to her.
(Exit CASSÍÒ, hopeful.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
(To himself)
And so the web is woven, stitch by stitch.
He will go to her; she will plead his case.
The Moor will see them whisper, and his heart,
Already prone to doubt his own deserts,
Shall turn to bitter poison, dark and deep.
The Odu speaks of envy’s bitter sting.
Othèllò’s fall shall be my sweet revenge.
(Curtain falls on Ìjàgó's wicked soliloquy.)
ACT III
SCENE I. The castle gardens. Morning.
Enter CASSÍÒ and EMÌLÌA (Ìjàgó’s wife and Desdèmóna’s attendant).
CASSÍÒ:
Good madam, I am bold to make a suit.
My general is displeased, and I am shamed.
If I might speak with fair Desdèmóna,
To beg her grace to help restore my place?
EMÌLÌA:
Do not despair, good Cassíò. My lady
Is most inclined to help you in your cause.
She knows you for an honest, worthy man,
And speaks of you already to the Moor.
She bids me say she will bestow her pains
To make your peace, and bring you to command.
I'll fetch her to you in the garden walk.
(Exit EMÌLÌA. Enter ÌJÀGÓ, from the other side.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
My wife with Cassíò? The plot proceeds
Even faster than my wicked mind could wish.
CASSÍÒ:
Ah, Ìjàgó! I have prevailed upon your wife
To help me speak with the most generous Desdèmóna.
ÌJÀGÓ:
Excellent wretch! A perfect start, my friend.
I'll keep the general occupied elsewhere,
Lest he disturb you. Go you to the lady.
(Exit CASSÍÒ. Enter OTHÈLLÒ, approaching from a distance.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
(To Othèllò, pointing subtly as Cassío bows to the approaching Desdèmona)
Ha! I like not that.
OTHÈLLÒ:
(To himself)
What dost thou say?
OTHÈLLÒ:
(Observing)
'Twas Cassíò, I think, that stole away so guilty-like,
As if he were a thing to be avoided.
ÌJÀGÓ:
My lord, for aught I know.
I cannot think it, that he would sneak away,
Seeing you coming.
OTHÈLLÒ:
(Growing suspicious)
I do believe 'twas he.
(DESDÈMÓNA approaches OTHÈLLÒ, having just finished her brief conversation with Cassío.)
DESDÈMÓNA:
My lord, I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.
OTHÈLLÒ:
Who is ‘t you mean?
DESDÈMÓNA:
Why, your lieutenant, Cassíò. Good my lord,
If I have any grace or power to move you,
His fault is great, but not so great a crime
As his dismissal calls for. He is sorry.
Restore him, noble Othèllò.
OTHÈLLÒ:
(Disturbed)
Not now, sweet Desdèmóna; some other time.
DESDÈMÓNA:
But shall ‘t be short? Next morning? Or next night?
Othèllò, I have spoke the Odu Ìrosùn for you.
It warns against the selfish, closed-off heart.
Trust your true friends, and show them mercy’s hand.
For Cassíò is honest.
OTHÈLLÒ:
(Visibly troubled, his mind poisoned by Ìjàgó's earlier whisperings)
Leave me, my love, a little to myself.
DESDÈMÓNA:
I am obedient. I leave you, my lord.
(Exit DESDÈMÓNA.)
OTHÈLLÒ:
(To himself, watching her leave)
Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.
(ÌJÀGÓ steps forward, adopting a serious, concerned demeanor.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
My noble lord...
OTHÈLLÒ:
What dost thou say, Ìjàgó?
ÌJÀGÓ:
Did Michael Cassíò, when you woo'd my lady,
Know of your love?
OTHÈLLÒ:
He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask?
ÌJÀGÓ:
But for a satisfaction of my thought;
No further harm.
OTHÈLLÒ:
Why, of thy thought, Ìjàgó?
ÌJÀGÓ:
(Feigning reluctance)
My lord, I would I might forget myself;
But I am full of love and honesty,
And weigh what nots I should. What if I think?
OTHÈLLÒ:
Think, my lord? By heaven, thou echo'st me,
As if there were some monster in thy thought
Too hideous to be shown. The Odu Ìrosùn speaks of honesty and integrity, Ìjàgó. Speak your mind plainly!
ÌJÀGÓ:
O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-ey'd monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on. That she loves you, I think she doth;
That she is honest, I think she is. But yet...
I saw her lean so closely to Cassíò in the garden.
Consider the place and age of your new bride.
She did deceive her father, marrying you.
OTHÈLLÒ:
(Agonized)
And so she did.
ÌJÀGÓ:
The oracle did warn of a close betrayal.
You dismissed the priest’s words, my noble Moor.
Observe her well with Cassíò. Watch her actions.
I speak but from my love. I humbly take my leave.
(Exit ÌJÀGÓ, leaving OTHÈLLÒ alone and tormented.)
OTHÈLLÒ:
(To himself)
This honest Ìjàgó...
If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!
I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And on the proof, there is no more but this:
Away at once with love or jealousy!
My life upon her faith!
(Exit OTHÈLLÒ, consumed by doubt.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
Nothing, my lord; or if you know what 'tis,
I know not what it is.
continue
ACT 3
SCENE II. Another room in the castle.
EMÌLÌA:
This napkin is found.
Her wayward husband has asked to steal it many times,
but she loves it because Othèllò gave it to her; it was her first gift.
It is adorned with sacred Cowrie shells.
This will be dropped where the Moor or Ìjàgó may find it.
What is the matter?
(Enter OTHÈLLÒ.)
OTHÈLÒ:
(To himself)
Ha! handkerchiefs! confessions! handkerchiefs!
EMÌLÌA:
My lord, you are not well.
OTHÈLÒ:
Don't be afraid; your husband is a serpent, but this cannot be believed.
(Emìlia hurries away in confusion. Enter ÌJÀGÓ, gleeful.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
How is it, my lord? You are in the garden, lost in thought.
Has something troubled your mind?
OTHÈLÒ:
(Seizing Ìjàgó by the throat)
Villain, prove my love a whore,
prove it; give me the proof!
Or by the worth of man’s eternal soul,
You would have been better born a dog
Than answer my challenged wrath!
ÌJÀGÓ:
O grace! O heaven forgive me!
Are you a man? Have you a soul or sense?
God be with you; take your office. O wretched fool,
That lives to make your honesty a vice!
O world, O world! That honest men should be such fools,
And practice cowardice to give advice!
OTHÈLÒ:
By the world, the wife is honest, and the wife is not. You are honest, and you are not.
Some proof is needed! Her name, which was fresh as Ifá’s spring, is now begrimed and black as my own face!
Show a sign!
ÌJÀGÓ:
(Feigning sorrow)
Passion has consumed you.
Something will be told, but honesty
Shall break my master's heart. He was with Cassíò lately;
He was not asked, but in a broken sleep,
He cried 'Sweet Desdèmóna!' then 'Othèllò cursed his fate!'
He kissed my lips, and laid his leg over my thigh.
He said he would not be Othèllò for the world.
These are dreams, my lord, the meaning is unknown.
OTHÈLÒ:
O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!
This human proof consumes. But this is a dream?
ÌJÀGÓ:
Yes, a dream that hints at a reality.
Furthermore, a handkerchief was seen,
Your first gift to the lady, one with Cowrie shells,
In Cassíò’s hand.
OTHÈLÒ:
O! O! O! (Falls into a trance.)
ÌJÀGÓ:
(To himself, kneeling beside him)
Work on, medicine, work! Thus the fools are caught.
The Moor is in a trance;
The Odu Ìrosùn’s shadow falls upon his mind.
(Othèllò stirs, raving.)
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