Othello Act/scene Summaries Flashcards
A1 S1
The play opens on a street in Venice at night. Iago and Roderigo are outside Desdemona’s house.
Roderigo has been paying Iago to win Desdemona, Iago hasn’t told him of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage until now.
Roderigo is outraged, Iago says he hates “the Moor” for promoting Cassio to be his lieutenant instead of him.
They shout to Brabantio from outside his window. He comes, they use sexually suggestive, racial language to warn him his daughter has eloped.
Brabantio is outraged by the accusation until he checks to find her gone. Brabantio gathers his men to find Othello and Desdemona, following Roderigo.
Iago exits before his identity is revealed so he can stay in Othello’s good graces.
A1 S2
Iago arrives at Othello’s lodgings and informs him of Brabantio’s anger about the elopement.
A party of men approaches his lodgings, Othello first thinks this is Brabantio, but it’s actually Cassio and officers from the Venetian court.
Cassio sends the word that Othello has been summoned by the Duke to a council of war, as there’ll be a possible Turkish attack on Cyprus.
Brabantio and his men arrive, accusing Othello of robbing Desdemona. Brabantio decides to bring the cause before the Duke himself.
A1 S3
The Duke has a meeting with his senators about the imminent Turkish attack on Cyprus. A sailor enters and announces the Turks have turned towards Rhodes (controlled by Venice), but this is proved to be a way to mislead Venetians, and they’re heading back to Cyprus.
The meeting is disrupted by Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago and officers. Brabantio accuses Othello of the elopement, the Duke is eager but turns skeptical when finding the accused is Othello.
Othello says that Desdemona has married him under free will and love for his remarkable life story. The Duke is persuaded by Othello, and Desdemona is summoned/enters, renouncing her love and loyalty to Othello.
The Duke decides Othello must go Cyprus to defend against the Turks. Othello is willing but asks about accommodation for Desdemona. The Duke suggests she stays with her father, but all refuse this, so the couple leave for Cyprus together.
The stage clears, leaving only Iago and Roderigo. Iago convinces him that Desdemona will get bored after having sex with Othello a few times, and convinces him to sell his belongings for money to win her with his riches.
Roderigo exits, Iago delivers his first soliloquy, declaring his hatred for Othello. He reveals he will trick Roderigo into bringing him valuables and fool Othello into thinking Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio, using his honest and unsuspecting nature to bring him to his demise.
A2 S2
Montano watches the storm with 2 gentlemen, discussing that the Turkish fleet has been wiped out by the storm. Cassio enters and confirms this.
Voices off stage announce the sighting of a new ship, which Iago, Desdemona, Emilia and Roderigo are on. Once they enter/arrive in Cyprus, Cassio informs Desdemona that Othello is yet to arrive. While they wait, Iago shows his misogynistic views.
Cassio takes Desdemona away to speak of Othello’s arrival. Iago notices Cassio “tales her by the palm” and plots to use this in his plan.
Othello arrives and greets Desdemona lovingly. Everyone by Iago and Roderigo exit, to head to the castle to celebrate.
Iago proposes that Desdemona is in love with Cassio, claiming that this will disgrace Cassio, creating less competition for Desdemona.
Roderigo exits, Iago delivers a soliloquy, reflecting that he secretly lusts after Desdemona because he suspects Othello has slept with Desdemona and wants revenge through a “wife for wife”. He goes on, if he’s unable to sleep with Desdemona, Roderigo’s accusation of Othello will make Othello suspect his lieutenant of sleeping with his wife, and will drive him into jealousy and madness.
A2 S2
Herald (a messenger) announces that Othello has planned a night of celebration for both the destruction of the Turkish fleet and Othello’s recent marriage.
A2 S3
During the celebration, Cassio follows Othello’s orders and directs soldiers to drink in moderation and keep the peace.
Othello and Desdemona exit to bed, their first night spent together since marriage.
Iago enters and invites Cassio to drink. He initially declines, but Iago successfully persuades him. Cassio exits, Iago reveals after Cassio has drank, he will lose his rationale, allowing his plan to unfold.
Cassio, Montano, and gentlemen enter to drink. Roderigo enters and Iago spurs him into a fight with Cassio, however Cassio, drunk, stabs Montano when him and others attempt to hold him down.
Iago send Roderigo to ring the alarm bell, waking up Othello and bringing him and his armed men to the spot. Othello demands to know who started the fight. Iago names Cassio, and Othello fires Cassio.
All exit, leaving Iago and Cassio. Iago advises Cassio to speak to Desdemona to get his job back, so she can speak on his behalf to Othello, making it easier to convince Othello that they’re having an affair.
Cassio exits, and Iago delivers a dramatic monologue, joking about the irony of his villainy, in that he is counseling Cassio to a course of action that’ll aid the success of his plan. He reveals he’ll “pour pestilence” into Othello’s ear, making Desdemona “undo her credit with the Moor”.
Roderigo enters, upset, so Iago ironically assures him that everything is going to plan. He tells Roderigo to go, and once he exits, he continues his dramatic monologue, telling the audience that he’ll convince Emilia to speak to Desdemona on Cassio’s behalf and will arrange for Othello to witness these, framing them as attempts to woo Desdemona.
A3 S1
In an effort to win Othello’s good graces, Cassio sends musicians to play in Othello’s quarters, but Othello sends his servant (who’s a clown) to tell the musicians to go away.
Cassio asks the clown to entreat Emilia to come speak with him, so he can ask her for access to Desdemona.
When the clown exits, Iago enters and tells Cassio that he will send for Emilia, and find a way to take Othello aside so Cassio and Desdemona can confer privately.
After Iago enters (?), Emilia enters and tells Cassio that Othello and Desdemona have been discussing his case. Desdemona pleaded for Cassio, but Othello worries that Montano’s influence and popularity in Cyprus would make Cassio’s reappointment impractical, regardless of how much he values him.
Emilia allows Cassio to come in and tells him to wait for Desdemona.
A3 S2
Iago, Othello and gentlemen walk together at the citadel (fortress). Othello gives Iago some letters to deliver and prepares to conduct an inspection of the town’s fortification (reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack).
A3 S3
Cassio speaks with Desdemona, with Emilia present, asking her to speak with Othello in his behalf. Desdemona agrees.
Othello and Iago enter, Cassio exits due to his embarrassment, and Iago seizes this opportunity to say surely Cassio would not behave like a guilty man after speaking with Desdemona, planting doubt in Othello’s mind.
Desdemona entreats Othello to forgive Cassio, but he’s blunt and distracted by his thoughts.
Desdemona and Emilia exit, leaving Othello and Iago alone. Iago continues to imply that he knows something but refuses to divulge. Othello denies that he would give himself over to jealousy, but he doubts himself and begins to fear that Brabantio was right in saying Desdemona disloyal and deceiving.
Othello tells Iago to have Emilia watch Desdemona when with Cassio, but Iago retreats from his accusations and says to leave the matter alone, but doubt has already been planted.
Iago exits, leaving Othello alone with his self-doubt. He delivers a soliloquy, showing that he believes Iago and produces possible reasons of why she may cheat.
Desdemona and Emilia enter to tell Othello it’s time for dinner. Othello tells Desdemona there’s a pain in his forehead, however, when she tried to soothe it with her handkerchief (his first gift to her that hold importance), Othello says it’s too small and drops it to the floor, showing his distaste towards Desdemona.
Othello and Desdemona exit, leaving Emilia alone who picks up the handkerchief, noting that Iago is always asking her to steal it. She decides she will make a copy and hand it to Iago.
Iago enters, Emilia shows him the handkerchief, he grabs it from her and refuses to give it back, then sends her away.
Iago delivers a dramatic monologue, announcing his plot to plant the handkerchief in Cassio’s room, and noting that Othello “already changes with [his] poison”.
Othello enters, and flies into a rage about Desdemona’s ‘affair’, declaring that his soul is in torment, and he would rather be deceived than suspect without proof.
He demands that Iago brings him visual evidence to “prove [his] love a whore”. Iago protests that it would be impossible to witness Desdemona and Cassio having sex, but he tells Othello that while him and Cassio were sharing a bed, he called out Desdemona’s name and kissed Iago. This enrages Othello.
Iago then claims to have seen Cassio wiping his beard with the handkerchief, making Othello cry and kneel, vowing to heaven that she will get his revenge on Desdemona and Cassio
Iago kneels with him, vowing to help execute his master’s vengeance. Othello promotes Iago to be his lieutenant. Othello wants Cassio dead, Iago agrees to do it. Othello then wonders how to kill Desdemona.
A3 S4
Desdemona order the clown to find Cassio and bring him the message that she has spoken on behalf of Cassio to Othello.
As the clown exits, she wonders to Emilia where her handkerchief may be. Emilia says she doesn’t know.
Othello enters, takes Desdemona’s hand, and notes that it is moist and “argues fruitfulness”, suggesting sexual promiscuity.
Othello asks Desdemona for the handkerchief, but when she admits she doesn’t have it at hand, Othello tells the story of the handkerchief, revealing it to the audience. This is where an Egyptian sorceress gave it to his mother and told her it would make her desirable and keep her husband loyal. If she lost it or gave it away, Othello’s father would leave her.
Uncomfortable by the story, Desdemona says he doesn’t have the handkerchief with her, but it isn’t lost. When Othello doesn’t believe her and demands for the handkerchief, she tries to change the subject back to Cassio. This enrages Othello, he exits.
Emilia wonders if Othello is jealous, and comments on how fickle men are towards women.
Cassio and Iago enter, and Cassio immediately asks about his case with Othello to Desdemona. She tells him he must be patient, and for some reason Othello doesn’t seem himself, and her advocacy of Cassio made him angrier. Iago exits, promising to soothe Othello’s anger.
Emilia speculates that Othello is jealous, even though he has no reason, but Desdemona maintains her conviction that Othello is upset by some affair of state. Desdemona tells Cassio to wait while she goes to find Othello to bring him to talk about Cassio. Desdemona and Emilia exit.
While Cassio waits, Bianca (a prostitute) enters and reprimands him for not visiting her more frequently. He apologizes and says he is worn out by his thoughts.
He asks her to copy the embroidery of a handkerchief he recently found in his room onto another handkerchief. Bianca accuses him of making her copy the embroidery of a love gift from another woman, but Cassio tells her that her jealousy is for nothing and he does not know who it belongs to. They make a plan to meet later that evening, as Cassio says he must meet Othello, so Bianca grudgingly agrees.
A4 S1
Othello and Iago enter mid conversation, where Iago remarks that if he were to give his wife a handkerchief, it would be hers to do as she wished with it. Iago’s persistent insinuations drive Othello to an incoherent frenzy, where he pumps Iago for more information on Desdemona
Iago finally says that Cassio has told him he has slept with Desdemona. Othello spirals and falls into a trance.
Iago tells the audience that his “medicine” is working, driving Othello into madness.
Cassio enters, Iago says that Othello has “fallen into an epilepsy”, his second in two days, and they must let it take its course. Iago sends Cassio away, and tells him to come back later to talk.
Othello regains consciousness, Iago tells him Cassio stopped by, and later he will make him retell the story of him sleeping with Desdemona, and tells him to hide nearby and observe the conversation.
Othello withdraws. Iago then informs the audience, in a dramatic monologue, that he will actually joke with Cassio about Bianca, and Othello will be driven mad as he will believe he is joking about Desdemona.
The plan works, Cassio laughs uproariously with Iago, with Othello watching.
Just as Cassio is saying he no longer wishes to see Bianca, she enters with the handkerchief and accuses him of giving her a love token from another woman again.
Bianca tells him that if he does not show up for dinner with her, he will never be welcome again.
Cassio and Bianca exit. Othello, who has recognized the handkerchief, comes out of hiding and wonders how he should kill Cassio with Iago. He then grieves and laments his love for Desdemona, but Iago reminds him of her adulterous actions.
Othello suggests that he will poison her, but Iago advises him to “strangle her in the bed she hath contaminated” with her infidelity.
Iago promises to arrange Cassio’s death.
Desdemona enters with Lodovico (her cousin) who comes with a message from the Duke, and gives Othello a letter.
Lodovico irritates Othello by asking questions about Cassio, Desdemona further irritates Othello by answering his queries.
The contents of the letter from the Duke upset Othello, he has been called back to Venice with orders to leave Cassio as his replacement in Cyprus.
Desdemona expresses her happiness about leaving Cyprus, whereupon Othello strikes her.
Lodovico is horrified by Othello’s loss of self-control and asks Othello to call back Desdemona, who is leaving the stage as he does so, only to accuse her of being promiscuous.
He tells Lodovico that he will obey the Duke’s orders and commands Desdemona to leave, she exits. Othello then storms off, exits.
Lodovico is in disbelief that this is the same noble man he once knew. He wonders to Igo whether Othello is mad, Iago refuses to answer his questions and says he must see for himself. They both exit.
A4 S2
Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona’s behavior, but Emilia insists that Desdemona has done nothing suspicious. Othello tells Emilia to summon Desdemona, Emilia exits.
Othello criticizes that Emilia is a bawd in a short monologue.
Desdemona and Emilia enter, Desdemona asks Othello what is wrong. Othello tells Emilia to guard the door, Emilia exits.
Othello speaks privately with Desdemona, threatening to banish her and calling her a whore, charges he immediately denies.
Emilia enters, Othello exits.
Emilia tries to comfort Desdemona, unaware of why Othello is treating her as if she has been unfaithful. Desdemona tells Emilia to lay her bedding sheets on the bed for that night.
At Desdemona’s request, Emilia exits to fetch Iago. Iago and Emilia enter. Desdemona tried to figure out why Othello has been behaving this way. Emilia suspects that some “villainous knave” has deceived Othello, the same villain who made Iago suspect Emilia sleeping with Othello.
Iago assures Desdemona that Othello is merely upset by official business.
Trumpets summon Desdemona and Emilia away to dinner with the Venetian emissaries. They both exit.
Roderigo enters, furious and ready to make his case known to Desdemona, as his jewels were never delivered to her. Iago kept them for himself.
Iago lies, telling Roderigo that Othello is being sent to Mauritania, Africa, and “taken with him the fair Desdemona”, unless an accident occurs and keeps him in Cyprus.
Iago then links his two plots together, and says that because Cassio has been assigned to Othello’s spot, the only way to prevent Othello from moving elsewhere is to kill Cassio.
Iago persuades Roderigo to kill Cassio, so that Othello must stay with Desdemona.
A4 S3
Enter Othello, Lodovico, Desdemona, Emilia and attendants.
After dinner, Othello proposes to walk with Lodovico and sends Desdemona to bed, telling her that he will be with her shortly and she should dismiss Emilia.
Othello, Lodovico and attendants exit.
When preparing for bed with Emilia, Desdemona declares her love for Othello, even though he seems to hate her. Desdemona seems aware of her imminent death, as she tells Emilia that if she dives before her, she should use one of her bedding sheets as her shroud.
As Desdemona hems her undress, Desdemona sings a song called “Willow”, saying her had learnt the song from her mother’s maid, Barbara, who died singing the song after she had been deserted by her lover.
Desdemona thinks about adultery and asks Emilia if she would cheat on her husband. Emilia speaks about how women have the same appetite for sex and infidelity as men do, and that men who deceive their wives only have themselves to blame if their wives cheat on them.
Desdemona says she prefers to answer bad deeds with good deeds, rather than more bad deeds.
Desdemona dismisses Emilia and goes to bed.
A5 S1
Iago and Roderigo wait outside of the brothel where Cassio meets Bianca.
Iago gives Roderigo a sword and convinces him to make the first attack, promising the back him up if necessary.
In an aside, Iago plans for Roderigo to ambush Cassio hoping they will kill each other. But he notes that he wins either way: if Cassio kills Roderigo, he gets to keep all of his jewels, if Roderigo kills Cassio, there’s no danger that Cassio and Othello will ever figure out his plot.
Cassio enters, Roderigo attacks but Cassio’s armor turns away the thrust. Cassio stabs and wounds Roderigo. Iago darts in and stabs Cassio in the leg, then exits.
Not knowing who has stabbed him, Cassio falls and cries in pain. Othello hears this and believes Iago has killed Cassio. Inspired by Iago’s loyalty, Othello goes to his bedroom to kill Desdemona.
Lodovico and Gratiano (Desdemona’s uncle) enter and can hear Roderigo and Cassio’s cries but cannot see anything because it is dark. Iago enters asking what the commotion is, Lodovico and Gratiano don’t know this is Iago yet.
Cassio tells Iago he has been attacked. Pretending to be enraged by this, Iago spots Roderigo, who still alive, and stabs him. Roderigo dies.
Lodovico and Gratiano still cannot see, until finally they see Cassio and question him about his injuries.
Bianca enters, crying when she sees wounded Cassio. Iago attempts to pin the attack on her, and fakes his discovery that Cassio’s assailant was Roderigo. Cassio states he does not know him.
Emilia enters and Iago tells her what has happened. He and Emilia chastise Bianca about whose house Cassio had dined at that evening and her being a “strumpet”.
Iago takes Bianca under arrest and sends Emilia to tell Othello and Desdemona what has happened.
He then says in aside (to himself) that this is the night that will make or break him.
A5 S2
Othello enters the bedroom, kisses Desdemona and is overcome with love for her, declaring that he will not harm her beauty, but will kill her.
She wakes; he tells her to prepare for death. Still unaware of her sins, Othello enquires whether she has prayed and tells her that she must atone for her sins.
He says the handkerchief is proof of her cheating. She denies this and says that Cassio can prove it, but Othello tells her that Iago has killed Cassio. Desdemona begins to weep for Cassio, enraging Othello. She pleads for mercy, but Othello smothers her.
Emilia (offstage) calls from outside the door, and Othello, who is now delirious, confuses Emilia’s cries with Desdemona’s, and concludes that Desdemona is not yet dead.
Thinking himself to be merciful and not wanting her to linger in pain, he smothers her again and kills her.
Othello draws the bed curtains and lets Emilia in.
Emilia enters and tells Othello that Cassio has killed Roderigo and Cassio is alive. As Othello realizes his plan has gone awry, Desdemona cries out that she has been murdered. Emilia opens the bed curtains and cries out.
Desdemona claims that she has killed herself. However, Othello triumphantly admits that he killed her. He speaks ill of her, Emilia defends her.
Othello states that Iago opened his eyes to Desdemona’s falsehood, but Emilia says he was lying. Othello threatens Emilia with his sword, but she is unfazed and cries out Desdemona’s murder.
Montano, Gratiano and Iago enter. The truth of Iago’s villainy comes out after Emilia tells the truth. Othello falls weeping on the bed next to Desdemona’s corpse.
Gratiano expresses his relief that Brabantio is dead (the first time that the audience has heard of this) as he has not lived to see his daughter come to such a tragic end.
Othello still clings to Iago’s fabrications and Desdemona’s ‘guilt’, mentioning that the handkerchief and Iago’s ‘confession’., but Emilia erupts. Iago, no longer certain he can keep his plots hidden, draws his sword on her.
Gratiano stops him, Emilia explains how she found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago. Othello runs at Iago, but Iago stabs Emilia and exits. Montano and Gratiano go after him and both exit.
Left alone on stage with Desdemona’s corpse and Emilia dying, Othello searches for a sword. Emilia asks to be laid next to Desdemona, and sings “Willow”, tells Othello that Desdemona was chaste, then dies.
Gratiano returns to find Othello armed and defiant, mourning Desdemona. They are joined shortly after by Montano, Lodovico, Cassio and Iago, who is being held prisoner.
Othello stabs Iago, he bleeds but does not die. He refuses to say any more of what he has done, but Lodovico shows a letter that was found in Roderigo’s pocket that reveals what truly happened.
Othello asks Cassio how he came by the handkerchief, Cassio replies that he found it in his chamber.
Lodovico tells Othello that he must come with them back to Venice, that he will be stripped of his power and command and put on trial. He says that Iago will be tormented and imprisoned.
Refusing to be taken away, Othello asks to be described exactly as he was, someone who loved too much but not wisely, someone who was not made easily jealous, but was manipulated.
He recounts the story of when he served for the Venetian state and ambushed a Turk, then stabs himself in demonstration. He falls onto the bed, kisses Desdemona’s corpse, and dies.
Lodovico tells Iago to look at the result of his villainy. He orders him to be taken away.
Gratiano is named as Othello’s heir, inheriting everything.
Cassio is in charge of Cyprus and Lodovico prepares to leave Cyprus and bring the news to the Duke and senate in Cyprus.
They all exit.
