How many lines does Cassio have in Othello?

The size of the part, every scene it speaks in, its longest speeches, and how long it takes to learn.

The Offbook team

Oct 8, 2026

Cassio has about 273 lines in Othello: 1,953 words in 111 speeches, 7.6% of the play, and the 4th-largest part. The role speaks in 9 of the 15 scenes, and its longest wait is 2 scenes in a row without a line.

Cassio’s biggest scene is Act 2, Scene 3, where he gets drunk, loses his post, and mourns his lost reputation. His longest speech comes earlier, a courtly welcome for Desdemona in Act 2, Scene 1. From there he spends much of the play asking for help to win back Othello’s favor, and the part mixes verse and prose.

Lines: 273
Words: 1,953
Share of play: 7.6%
Speech time: 14 min

52% of the words are verse. 111 speeches means about 111 cues to learn.

Scene by scene

Scene	Words	Minutes
Act 1, Scene 2	104	0.7
Act 2, Scene 1	362	2.6
Act 2, Scene 3	599	4.3
Act 3, Scene 1	148	1.1
Act 3, Scene 3	76	0.5
Act 3, Scene 4	275	2.0
Act 4, Scene 1	192	1.4
Act 5, Scene 1	99	0.7
Act 5, Scene 2	98	0.7

The longest speeches

Speech	Scene	Words
“She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,”	Act 2, Scene 1	107
“Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you”	Act 3, Scene 4	96
“Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieuten…”	Act 2, Scene 3	72
“Something from Cyprus as I may divine:”	Act 1, Scene 2	69
“I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive s…”	Act 2, Scene 3	59
“I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell m…”	Act 2, Scene 3	58
“Has had most favourable and happy speed:”	Act 2, Scene 1	44
“I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctl…”	Act 2, Scene 3	43

How many lines a day to learn

New lines a day to be off book in time, learning five days a week. Review what you already know on the other days.

Time until off book	New lines a day
2 weeks	28
3 weeks	19
4 weeks	14
6 weeks	10

Questions actors ask