Iago's Mistakes

VENETIAN TIMES

The Murder-Manipulator of Cyprus Receives Justice in Venice

Iago, 28, of Cyprus has been returned to Venice under accusation for the responsibility for two murders on the war torn island. He was stationed in Cyprus as a part of the Venetian force to defend the islands from Turkish invaders. The murdered include his wife Emilia, and one Roderigo. Michael Cassio, governor of Cyprus, arranged for Iago’s trial in Venice this past Friday.

Iago has been charged and convicted in front of a grand jury with two counts of voluntary manslaughter, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and one count of conspiracy. Iago will face 40 years in prison, not-eligible for parole, and roughly $100,000 in fines. The trial packed the courtroom tight, as there were as many as one thousand spectators trying to witness this event of justice.

Iago’s lawyers had charges of domestic violence and aggravated assault lifted partly on account that the witnesses of those certain accused crimes are now dead. Other witnesses that attended the trial to testify against Iago were Governor Michael Cassio, Bianca, Lodovico, Montano, Graziano, and some onlookers who claim to have overheard conversations between Iago and others.

The two counts of voluntary manslaughter come from the attack on his wife Emilia and friend Roderigo.

He killed Roderigo in the dead of night while the two of them were planning an attack on Michael Cassio. It was Iago’s hope that both Roderigo and Cassio would die that night, but sadly only Roderigo met that fate therefore convicting Iago of attempted first-degree murder. Letters later found on Roderigo and testaments told from onlookers suggest Iago conspired to rise against Othello and take power from the very beginning. Two women from the spectating audience of the trial rose and testified they heard Iago exclaim something along the lines of “For, sir, It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago. In following him, I follow but myself. Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so, for my peculiar end. For when my outward action doth demonstrate The native act and figure of my heart In compliment extern, ’tis not long after But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at. I am not what I am.” (Shakespeare, Act I, Scene I) to Roderigo in Venice a few weeks before the

incident.
In trial, Lodovico produced letters found on the late Roderigo that revealed much of the situation. Governor Michael Cassio read the letters to the judge and jury, “There is besides in Roderigo’s letter How he upbraids Iago, that he made him Brave me upon the watch, whereon it came That I was cast. And even but now he spake, After long seeming dead—Iago hurt him, Iago set him on.” (Shakespeare, Act V, Scene II).
Lawyers in Iago’s defense argued that Iago shouldn’t even have been put on trial for his accused crimes in Cyprus because Othello wasn’t. Othello committed suicide shortly after being told he would be stripped of his command and placed on trial when they return to Venice. Iago testifies to this and recounted Othello’s last words, “I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, Killing myself, to die upon a kiss” (Shakespeare, Act V, Scene II). This ‘coincidence’ or so it may be called was presented to the judge and jury in defense of Iago’s case. Lodovico also testified to this, repeating exactly what he said to Othello before he died, “You must forsake this room and go with us. Your power and your command is taken off And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave, If there be any cunning cruelty That can torment him much and hold him long, It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest Till that the nature of your fault be known To the Venetian state.—Come, bring him away.” (Shakespeare, Act V, Scene II).
Though Iago’s lawyers were able to get some of the charges dropped, Iago will still face jail time and fines for his crimes. There is unrest amongst the people of Cyprus and Venice, as violence has unearthed and tainted the cities.