Ms. Roberts’ Six Weeks Play Project

The story of Desdemona opens on the morning she is killed by her husband for infidelity. In Pulitzer-Prize-Winner Paula Vogel’s play, things are topsy-turvy to Shakespeare’s original Othello. In Vogel’s adaptation, Desdemona has been unfaithful to her husband with the entire garrison (except, ironically, Cassio) and Emilia is a staunch Catholic singularly loyal to her husband, Iago.

In the opening scene, Desdemona is creating a mess in a back room of the palace on Cypress looking for the fated handkerchief while Emilia watches in frustration. It is just like any normal day at the palace. Later, Desdemona finds a hoof-pick and asks Emilia what it is. The two have a conversation about their husbands that ends with Desdemona in giggles and Emilia embarrassed.

The conversation turns to Desdemona’s new friend, Bianca, the local prostitute. Emilia disapproves of her lady socializing with the other woman. Apparently, Desdemona ‘stood in’ for Bianca at work last week and is planning to do so again. Bianca is supposed to stop by later to pay Desdemona for the work. As Emilia is digesting this information, there is a knock at the door. She goes to answer it and comes back into the room to tell Desdemona that Othello wants to see her. Desdemona, frightened, steps offstage, where a loud slap is heard.

The next scene opens with Desdemona once more frantically searching for the missing handkerchief. She promises Emilia a promotion for Iago if she can help her, although she is puzzled by Emilia’s support of Iago, who she seems to hate. Emilia then explains how life is for those in the ‘bottom ranks.’

Later on, Emilia arrives with a message from Desdemona’s former lover, the Ambassador Ludovico. He is eager to see her, and Desdemona reminisces about her days in the convent, when they would share secret assignations. Emilia, despite everything, still manages to be shocked by Desdemona’s behavior, and gives her a lecture on virtue.

Desdemona asks Emilia if she’s ever been unfaithful to her husband, Iago, and then reflects on the reasons she married Othello in the first place. She confesses that she admires Bianca for being a ‘new woman’ who scorns marriage for the lie that it is. Emilia responds that Bianca is the same as the rest of the world, and that there’s no such thing as a ‘new woman.’

The next scene opens with excitement. Desdemona has decided to leave Othello for the Ambassador. She tells Emilia to let her know the instant Bianca arrives and to peel some potatoes for dinner later. Emilia tries to argue with Desdemona, saying she’s been promoted and shouldn’t have to peel potatoes anymore, but when Desdemona threatens to leave her behind on Cypress, Emilia meekly obeys.

Emilia is busy venting her anger on the potatoes when Bianca arrives. The two get into an argument about Desdemona, and Emilia has finally managed to frighten Bianca off when Desdemona arrives and convinces her to stay. Emilia is berated and skulks off to fetch wine for the two friends as they start gossiping.

Emilia returns with the wine and the two friends continue to shun her while Bianca regales Desdemona with a tale about one of her ‘johns’ who very nearly killed her during a job. Desdemona is impressed and asks Bianca to show her how to fake being hurt. Bianca leaves to use the restroom and Desdemona tells Emilia she’s going to ask Bianca about the handkerchief. Emilia begs her not to.

Bianca returns and confesses that she’s looking forward to marrying Cassio. Desdemona is crushed. Bianca then shows her a ‘gift’ from Cassio—the handkerchief! When she finds out it’s Desdemona’s, she becomes violent and threatens to kill Desdemona. Bianca spares Desdemona’s life and leaves, but not before pointedly asking Emilia where Iago was on the night Desdemona stood in for her.

Desdemona and Emilia are left alone. Desdemona asks Emilia where Iago was on that night, she answers that he told her he had guard duty. Desdemona tells Emilia that she is going home alone, and will not be able to take her along. Emilia confesses to taking the handkerchief— Iago put it up to her as a joke.

The women realize that Iago has plotted and achieved Desdemona’s destruction. With nothing left to do, they prepare Desdemona for bed.

Desdemona – played by Jessica Brooks-Allen

Bianca – played by Molly McKee

Emilia – played by Rory Roberts

Desdemona is a play that faces, with clear and dangerous precision, the various roles that three very different women want to play, are needing to fulfill, or are often forced to pretend. This is a play about women... What we want, what we do not want, and what we need. Desdemona is the central female in Shakespeare’s Othello. In this modern tale of Desdemona, we see her as more than a struggling ingenue, we see a woman trying to find herself while living on display like a beautiful caged animal in her husband’s palace. Did she really deserve death?