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Othello

Othello, a Moorish general, is manipulated by his envious ensign Iago into believing that his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, leading to tragic consequences. Consumed by jealousy, Othello kills Desdemona and ultimately takes his own life upon discovering the truth. The play explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the devastating effects of manipulation.

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17 views3 pages

Othello

Othello, a Moorish general, is manipulated by his envious ensign Iago into believing that his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, leading to tragic consequences. Consumed by jealousy, Othello kills Desdemona and ultimately takes his own life upon discovering the truth. The play explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the devastating effects of manipulation.

Uploaded by

kimadeg925
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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• Othello: A respected general. Noble but easily manipulated by jealousy.

• Desdemona: Othello's loving wife. Innocent and loyal, but misunderstood.

• Iago: Othello's dishonest ensign. Sneaky and jealous, he causes chaos.

• Cassio: Othello's trusted lieutenant. Charming but naive; his promotion makes Iago
jealous.

• Emilia: Iago's wife and Desdemona's maid. She reveals Iago's lies at the end.

• Roderigo: A rich suitor of Desdemona. Easily tricked by Iago and acts foolishly.

In Othello, a Moorish general in Venice named Othello secretly marries Desdemona. Iago, Othello's
envious ensign, feels slighted by Othello's promotion of Cassio and schemes to ruin their lives. He
manipulates Othello into believing Desdemona is unfaithful with Cassio. Consumed by jealousy,
Othello confronts Desdemona and, believing Iago's lies, ultimately kills her. When the truth is
revealed, Othello is devastated and takes his own life. The play explores themes of jealousy,
betrayal, and the consequences of manipulation.

Act I

Before Othello begins, Roderigo has been pursuing Desdemona, a Venetian


noblewoman. One night, he hears from his soldier friend, Iago, that Desdemona has
secretly married his General, the Moorish Othello. Iago bears a grudge against
Othello for overlooking Iago for a lieutenant position. Instead, Othello chose Michael
Cassio, leaving Iago only at the low rank of ensign. Iago urges Roderigo to continue
his pursuit of Desdemona. He knows Senator Brabantio, Desdemona's father, will
dislike having Othello as a son-in-law. So late at night, Iago and Roderigo wake
Brabantio and tell him the news of Desdemona. Brabantio angrily summons the
militia to arrest Othello. At that moment, officers arrive to summon Brabantio to an
urgent meeting of the Senate. The Senate is concerned about the imminent threat of
a Turkish invasion fleet on Cyprus. Full of fury, Brabantio goes to the council.

Brabantio interrupts the council, claiming vengeance against Othello. Othello is


already there because he has just been put in command of the forces to repel the
Turks. Othello explains how his stories of military prowess have helped him earn
Desdemona's love (good storytelling is the most important trait in a companion, after
all). Afterwards, Desdemona is called to reinforce the tale and defend her marriage.
Following Desdemona's defence, her father disowns her, and she chooses to go with
Othello on his campaign. She plans to travel in the care of Lieutenant Cassio and
with Emilia, Iago's wife.

Act II

In Cyprus, Montano, the governor of Cyprus, and his soldiers greet Cassio, Iago,
Desdemona, and Emilia as they disembark. Othello soon arrives with news that
storms at sea have dispersed the Turkish fleet. A night of celebration is proclaimed.
Roderigo confesses doubts about his potential to woo Desdemona, but Iago assures
him that there is hope. He urges Roderigo to challenge Cassio to a duel that night,
since (as Iago claims) Desdemona is actually falling in love with him. When the night
comes, Iago gets Cassio drunk, and Roderigo incites his anger. Montano, the
governor, is stabbed during his attempt to contain Cassio. Othello is angered by the
fight and blames Cassio, stripping him of his recently conferred officer status.

Act III

The next day, Iago convinces Cassio to ask Desdemona for help in regaining his
post. When Cassio asks, Desdemona innocently agrees. Meanwhile, Iago has sown
seeds of jealousy in Othello’s mind, suggesting that Desdemona is overfond of
Cassio. With no reason to suspect Iago of bad intentions, Othello begins to watch his
wife. Othello becomes angry when Desdemona cannot find the first gift (a
handkerchief) he had ever given her. The handkerchief is embroidered with
strawberries and especially important to Othello. But Desdemona had not lost the
handkerchief. Iago had instructed Emilia, his wife, to take it. Iago then hid the
handkerchief where Cassio would find it. When Desdemona urges her husband to
reconsider Cassio’s demotion, Othello gets jealous and suspects her of infidelity.

Act IV
Iago continues to inflame this jealousy. He encourages Othello to listen in on, and
misinterpret, part of a conversation between Cassio and his mistress, Bianca. Cassio
and Bianca discuss how Cassio obtained the embroidered handkerchief that he then
gives to Bianca to copy. Othello’s agitation at what he hears brings on an epileptic fit.
After recovering, he orders Iago to kill Cassio. Desdemona cannot understand
Othello's change of attitude towards her. Othello even strikes her in the presence of
her relative, Lodovico, who has arrived as an ambassador from Venice. As she
prepares for bed, she talks with Emilia, singing to relieve the distress she feels at
losing the trust of her husband.

Act V

Meanwhile, Roderigo has begun to suspect Iago is not quite the friend he seems.
Still Iago persuades him to attack Cassio that night (again, to be able to court
Desdemona). In the fight that ensues, Iago goes undetected and wounds Cassio. He
then enters again as himself to accuse and kill Roderigo for the act of wounding
Cassio.

Othello comes to his sleeping wife's bedroom to murder her as punishment for her
supposed adultery. He smothers her with a pillow as she asserts her innocence.
Emilia alerts the household, causing Iago and others to come to the scene. Othello
defends himself, mentioning the handkerchief as evidence. Emilia realises what has
happened and betrays Iago‘s plots against Othello. Iago, reacting to his wife's
accusations, stabs and kills her. Iago is arrested and sent to trial after Othello
wounds him (he doesn't even die). Othello, facing the inevitability of his own trial,
uses a hidden weapon to commit suicide. The play ends with Cassio reinstated and
placed in command as Governor of Cyprus.

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