Othello, Shakespeare: Act I

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OTHELLO, SHAKESPEARE

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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