Othello
Othello – Summary............................................................................................. 1
Othello – Key Quotes.............................................................................................. 5
Othello:............................................................................................................ 5
Duke:............................................................................................................... 5
Iago:................................................................................................................ 5
Borobancio:..................................................................................................... 6
Emilia:.............................................................................................................. 6
Rodrigo:........................................................................................................... 6
Iago (Deception and Manipulation):.................................................................6
Iago (Jealousy and Observation):.....................................................................6
Barbancio:....................................................................................................... 6
Iago (Manipulating Others):.............................................................................6
Othello – Summary
Setting: Venice, later Cyprus
Plot Overview:
1. The play begins on a street in Venice, where Rodrigo and Iago argue.
o Rodrigo has been manipulated by Iago to help him win
Desdemona’s hand.
o Rodrigo learns that Desdemona has married Othello, who recently
chose Cassio over him as lieutenant.
o Rodrigo and Iago alert Barbancio (Desdemona’s father) that she has
“been stolen” by Othello, the Moor.
2. Barbancio’s Reaction:
o Barbancio gathers officers to confront Othello.
o Iago, hiding his hatred for Othello, hurries to warn him before
Barbancio arrives.
3. Othello’s Defense:
o At Othello’s lodgings, Cassio arrives with news of a potential Turkish
invasion of Cyprus, requesting Othello’s help.
o Barbancio confronts Othello, accusing him of using witchcraft to win
Desdemona.
, o Othello explains he won Desdemona by telling stories, not by magic.
o Desdemona enters, defending her choice to marry Othello,
declaring her allegiance to him.
o The Duke and Senate support Othello, while Barbancio is frustrated
but allows the proceedings to continue.
o The Duke orders Othello to aid in defending Cyprus against the
Turks.
4. Arrival in Cyprus:
o The next day, in Cyprus, Montano and two gentlemen watch the
shore.
o News arrives that the Turkish fleet has been destroyed by a storm.
o Cassio, whose ship survived, arrives, followed by another ship
carrying Iago, Rodrigo, Desdemona, and Emilia.
o Cassio greets Desdemona warmly.
o Iago reveals to the audience his plan to ensnare Cassio and
manipulate events.
5. The Brawl and Iago’s Manipulation:
o Rodrigo complains to Iago about Desdemona’s marriage.
o Iago convinces Rodrigo to provoke Cassio into a fight.
o Cassio gets drunk, Rodrigo confronts him, and a brawl breaks out.
o Montano tries to intervene, but Cassio stabs him.
o The alarm is raised, and Othello arrives to investigate.
o Iago manipulates Othello into believing Cassio is solely responsible.
o Othello strips Cassio of his lieutenant position.
6. Iago’s Plot Against Othello and Desdemona:
o Iago encourages Cassio to use Desdemona to regain his position.
o Iago plans to frame Cassio and Desdemona as lovers to provoke
Othello’s jealousy.
o Cassio attempts reconciliation by sending musicians to play
beneath Othello’s window.
o Othello, annoyed, sends his clown to dismiss them.
o Iago schemes to get Othello out of the way so Cassio can speak
with Desdemona.
Desdemona and Cassio:
Othello – Summary............................................................................................. 1
Othello – Key Quotes.............................................................................................. 5
Othello:............................................................................................................ 5
Duke:............................................................................................................... 5
Iago:................................................................................................................ 5
Borobancio:..................................................................................................... 6
Emilia:.............................................................................................................. 6
Rodrigo:........................................................................................................... 6
Iago (Deception and Manipulation):.................................................................6
Iago (Jealousy and Observation):.....................................................................6
Barbancio:....................................................................................................... 6
Iago (Manipulating Others):.............................................................................6
Othello – Summary
Setting: Venice, later Cyprus
Plot Overview:
1. The play begins on a street in Venice, where Rodrigo and Iago argue.
o Rodrigo has been manipulated by Iago to help him win
Desdemona’s hand.
o Rodrigo learns that Desdemona has married Othello, who recently
chose Cassio over him as lieutenant.
o Rodrigo and Iago alert Barbancio (Desdemona’s father) that she has
“been stolen” by Othello, the Moor.
2. Barbancio’s Reaction:
o Barbancio gathers officers to confront Othello.
o Iago, hiding his hatred for Othello, hurries to warn him before
Barbancio arrives.
3. Othello’s Defense:
o At Othello’s lodgings, Cassio arrives with news of a potential Turkish
invasion of Cyprus, requesting Othello’s help.
o Barbancio confronts Othello, accusing him of using witchcraft to win
Desdemona.
, o Othello explains he won Desdemona by telling stories, not by magic.
o Desdemona enters, defending her choice to marry Othello,
declaring her allegiance to him.
o The Duke and Senate support Othello, while Barbancio is frustrated
but allows the proceedings to continue.
o The Duke orders Othello to aid in defending Cyprus against the
Turks.
4. Arrival in Cyprus:
o The next day, in Cyprus, Montano and two gentlemen watch the
shore.
o News arrives that the Turkish fleet has been destroyed by a storm.
o Cassio, whose ship survived, arrives, followed by another ship
carrying Iago, Rodrigo, Desdemona, and Emilia.
o Cassio greets Desdemona warmly.
o Iago reveals to the audience his plan to ensnare Cassio and
manipulate events.
5. The Brawl and Iago’s Manipulation:
o Rodrigo complains to Iago about Desdemona’s marriage.
o Iago convinces Rodrigo to provoke Cassio into a fight.
o Cassio gets drunk, Rodrigo confronts him, and a brawl breaks out.
o Montano tries to intervene, but Cassio stabs him.
o The alarm is raised, and Othello arrives to investigate.
o Iago manipulates Othello into believing Cassio is solely responsible.
o Othello strips Cassio of his lieutenant position.
6. Iago’s Plot Against Othello and Desdemona:
o Iago encourages Cassio to use Desdemona to regain his position.
o Iago plans to frame Cassio and Desdemona as lovers to provoke
Othello’s jealousy.
o Cassio attempts reconciliation by sending musicians to play
beneath Othello’s window.
o Othello, annoyed, sends his clown to dismiss them.
o Iago schemes to get Othello out of the way so Cassio can speak
with Desdemona.
Desdemona and Cassio:
