Othello : Summary

Summary

Marriage of Othello and Desdemona: The play begins in Venice, a strong and important city known for its trade, banking, and powerful army. It is early morning, and two men are standing outside the house of Senator Brabantio. The two men are Roderigo, a young man who used to be in love with Brabantio’s daughter Desdemona, and Iago, a soldier. Iago is upset because he did not get a job promotion from Othello, the Moor (a man from Africa). The two men are there to tell Brabantio that Desdemona has secretly run away and married Othello.

After scaring Brabantio with this news, Iago quickly leaves, letting Roderigo confirm the story. Pretending to be a good friend, Iago then meets with Othello and tells him about Brabantio’s angry reaction. Soon after, Brabantio, Othello, and Desdemona appear in front of the Duke of Venice. Brabantio accuses Othello of using magic to trick his daughter into marrying him, but Othello explains that Desdemona fell in love with him after hearing about his adventures. When Desdemona speaks, she convinces the Duke and the senators that she married Othello because she truly loves him.

Othello’s Leave for Cyprus: The Duke makes Othello the leader of the army that will defend Cyprus from the Turks. Othello must leave for Cyprus immediately. Desdemona asks if she can go with him. The Duke allows it, and Othello arranges for Desdemona to travel later on another ship with Iago, whom Othello wrongly thinks is his trusted friend and Iago’s wife, Emilia. Iago convinces Roderigo that Desdemona will soon get tired of Othello and that Roderigo should follow her to Cyprus. Iago, secretly planning to destroy Othello, decides to use Cassio, a man he dislikes because Cassio got the promotion Iago wanted, as part of his plan.

Intrigue of Iago against Othello: In Cyprus, Iago begins to put his plan into action. He plants seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind, making Othello think Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. Iago arranges for a fight that leads to Cassio being demoted from his position. Cassio, wanting to get back into Othello’s good graces, asks Desdemona to speak to Othello on his behalf. Desdemona, not knowing about Iago’s evil plan, agrees to help and promises to keep asking Othello until Cassio is forgiven.

Later, when Cassio leaves after talking to Desdemona, Othello and Iago enter the scene. Othello notices how quickly Cassio leaves, and Iago points out that it looks like Cassio is trying to avoid Othello. Desdemona then starts asking Othello to forgive Cassio, just as she promised Cassio she would. She keeps begging him until Othello, distracted by his worries, agrees. As soon as Desdemona and Emilia leave, Iago starts planting more doubts in Othello’s mind, making him suspect that Desdemona is not being faithful.

Showing the Handkerchief as a Weapon of Intrigue: Othello, feeling unsure and anxious, demands proof from Iago that Desdemona has been unfaithful. Iago uses a handkerchief that Desdemona accidentally drops to convince Othello that she is cheating on him. Iago even arranges a fake conversation with Cassio, which makes Othello more certain that Desdemona is guilty. Othello, now full of rage and sadness, decides to take action. He agrees with Iago that he will kill Desdemona, and Iago will kill Cassio.

Desdemona continues to beg Othello to forgive Cassio, not knowing that this only makes Othello more convinced of her supposed unfaithfulness. Othello accuses her of cheating, and Desdemona, confused and hurt, can only assure him that she loves him and has done nothing wrong.

Trying to Kill Cassio by Roderigo: Meanwhile, Roderigo, who has given up hope of winning Desdemona, is encouraged by Iago to kill Cassio. That night, Roderigo and Iago attack Cassio in the street, but Cassio manages to wound Roderigo. Iago then sneaks up and stabs Cassio in the leg. Othello hears Cassio’s cries for help and thinks that half of his revenge is complete. He hurries to finish his plan.

Killing Desdemona by Othello: Desdemona is in bed when Othello enters. He tells her to say a final prayer because he doesn’t want to kill her soul. When Desdemona realizes that Othello plans to kill her, she protests, saying she has done nothing wrong. She begs him to let her live for a little longer, but Othello, believing she is lying, smothers her with a pillow.

Revelation of Iago’s Intrigue: Emilia, Desdemona’s servant and Iago’s wife discovers what has happened and calls for help. She tells everyone that Iago is a liar and explains how Desdemona’s handkerchief ended up with Cassio. When she refuses to stay silent, Iago kills her. Cassio, who is wounded, confirms Emilia’s story. Othello, realizing he has been tricked, feels deep regret. He says that people should remember him as someone who “loved too much but not wisely.” Othello then stabs himself and falls onto the bed beside Desdemona, where he dies.