Act 2 Scene 3

After many many hours of celebrating and feasting for both the destruction of the Turkish fleet and Othello and Desdemona’s recent marriage, Cassio takes night watch. Othello warns his soldiers to moderate their drinking and keep peace. Iago manages to make suggestive remarks about Desdemona to Cassio in private. Iago replies to Cassio’s comments about Desdemona being refined and youthful with that she is “full of game” and “parley to provocation,” which translates to her being a woman who provokes men sexually through flirtation. Iago encourages Cassio to drink, as he has “poor / and unhappy brains for drinking,” though under the guise of saying it is fun to drink when celebrating.