By William Shakespeare

Othello

Othello – the Moor of VeniceDesdemona – Othello’s wifeIago – Othello’s ensignRoderigo – a jealous suitorBrabanzio – Desdemona’s father, Senator of

VeniceCassio – Othello’s LieutenantEmilia – Desdemona’s attendant and Iago’s

wifeDuke of Venice – the authority in Venice.

Main Characters

Act IVenice…Iago’s plan…

VeniceIago and Roderigo are arguing about money and

Desdemona.Desdemona has recently married the general

Othello, who Iago serves.We learn that Iago was passed over and hates

Othello.They end up at Brabanzio’s house where Iago tells

him his daughter has been “stolen.”Brabanzio gets upset and takes a detail of men out

to find his daughter and Othello.

Act I – Scene 1

At Othello’s PlaceIago is already there and they see a detail of men

approaching.Iago believes it is Brabanzio so he advises Othello to

retreat indoors.Othello stands his ground and it turns out to be

Cassio and the Duke’s men – Othello is invited to see the Duke.

Then Brabanzio and his men arrive – and a fight almost breaks out.

But Othello calmly tells them to wait – and they all decide to go see the Duke.

Act I – Scene 2

The Duke’s PalaceThe Duke is discussing the invasion of the

Turks.Brabanzio accuses Othello of stealing his wife

with magic – Othello admits he is married to Desdemona, but under her own free will.

Desdemona enters – and confirms that she married Othello of her own free-will.

The Duke orders Othello to Cyprus to defend against the Turks – Desdemona decides to go with him.

Iago’s first soliloquy

Act I – Scene III

Act IIThe drunken celebration…

The Shores of CyprusThe is a storm and The governor, Montano, is

uncertain if Othello’s ship will survive.Iago, Emilia, Desdemona and Cassio all arrive

safely – Iago sees Cassio take Desdemona’s hand…

Othello arrive safely and greets Desdemona.Iago tells Roderigo that Cassio is interested in

Desdemona – and convinces him to start a fight with him.

Iago’s second soliloquy.

Act II – Scene 1

The Celebration!Othello declares a celebration because of the

safety of Cyprus…and his marriage to Desdemona!

Act II – Scene 2

On Guard DutyOthello leaves Cassio in charge of security

during the festivities – then leaves to consummate his marriage.

Iago shows up and tries to convince Cassio that Desdemona is a temptress.

Iago tells Cassio to have a drink and to invite some more people.

Cassio stumbles off-stage drunk – and Iago tells Montano that he thinks he has too much responsibility for someone with a drinking problem…

Act II – Scene 3

Roderigo enters, and Montano suggests that something be said to Othello of Cassio’s drinking problem.

Cassio chases Roderigo across the stage, threatening to beat him.

Montano steps in to prevent the fight and is attacked by Cassio.

As Montano and others attempt to hold Cassio down, Cassio stabs Montano. Othello is called.

After much discussion – Othello falls into Iago’s trap and dismisses Cassio.

Iago laughs to the audience about how in doing “good” he is really evil…

Act II – Scene 3 (cont’)

Act IIIThe Dreaded Handkerchief!!!

At Othello’sCassio tries to get back into Othello’s good

books.Othello wants nothing to do with him.Iago intervenes and arranges for a private

meeting between Cassio and Desdemona.

Act III – Scene 1

The CitadelIago, Othello, and a gentleman walk together

at the citadel. Othello gives Iago some letters to deliver and

decides to take a look at the town’s fortifications.

Act III – Scene 2

In the CitadelOthello walks in on Desdemona, Emilia and

Cassio – Cassio leaves quickly.Othello is not sure if it was Cassio he saw – but

Desdemona begs him to re-instate Cassio.Iago starts insinuating that Cassio and

Desdemona are having an affair.Othello is full of doubt – believing he is to

“black” for someone as beautiful and fair as Desdemona.

The sleeping story and the handkerchief?

Act III – Scene 3

In the CitadelDesdemona and Emilia send message to Cassio

– Desdemona wonders where her handkerchief might be.

Othello enters and asks to borrow her handkerchief…a long story…When she cannot produce it – Othello gets angry!

Cassio arrives and Desdemona tells him Othello is in a bad mood – Emilia thinks he is jealous.

Bianca enters and Cassio asks her to copy a handkerchief he found in his bedroom.

Act III – Scene 4

Act IVThe madness of Othello

Othello’s RageIago goads Othello with stories about nakedness

and handkerchiefs – finally Iago tells Othello what Cassio told him…He loses it.

Cassio arrives and Iago tells Othello to hide and watch Cassio’s face as they talk – Iago actually talks to him about Bianca.

Othello is beside himself with rage and starts contemplating killing his wife.

Othello is really pissed. He hits Desdemona. People wonder if he is mad.

Act IV – Scene 1

“The Cunning Whore”Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona.Desdemona tries to find out from Iago why

Othello is treating her as such.Roderigo enters and is angry that Iago has not

delivered – Iago lies to him.He convinces Roderigo to kills Cassio…

Act IV – Scene 2

BedtimeOthello sends Desdemona to bed – she seems

prepared for what is about to happen.She sings – and talk about how she would

rather meet bad deeds with good deeds.

Act IV – Scene 3

Act VThe bedroom scene…

“This is the fruits of whoring…”Iago and Roderigo plan to ambush Cassio on

his way out of the brothel.Roderigo and Iago stab Cassio – Othello hears

the commotion.Iago pretends to “find” Cassio and his assailant

– who he stabs without hesitation.

Act V – Scene 1

The Death SceneHolding a candle, Othello stands over the

sleeping Desdemona and prepares to kill her.They talk – Othello accuses her of sleeping with

Cassio, who is dead, Desdemona weeps for him (which doesn’t help the situation…)

Othello smothers Desdemona.(There is a really confusing death scene which

makes little sense)Emilia calls for help!

Act V – Scene 2

The Death SceneIago’s treachery is revealed through Emilia’s

confessionEverything about the handkerchief is also told.In the commotion Iago stabs his wife.Iago is caught – and Othello kills him.The guards tell Othello he will be taken back to

Venice and out on trial.Othello says “I took by the throat the

circumcised dog / and smote him thus” – and stabs himself.

Act V – Scene 2 (cont’)

THE END