Othello - scene & act summaries

Question 1

Act 1, Scene 1

Answer 1

• Iago is furious that Othello promoted Cassio over him.
• He and Roderigo wake up Brabantio to inform him that Othello has secretly married Desdemona.

Question 2

Act 1, Scene 2

Answer 2

• Othello is summoned by the Duke
• Brabantio accuses him of witchcraft.

Question 3

Act 1, Scene 3

Answer 3

• Othello defends his love for Desdemona.
• The Duke sends Othello to Cyprus to fight the Turks.
• Desdemona insists on going too.
• Iago begins plotting Othello’s downfall using Cassio and Desdemona.

Question 4

Act 2, Scene 1

Answer 4

• Everyone arrives in Cyprus (the Turkish threat is gone)
• Iago begins planting seeds of doubt by suggesting Desdemona is too friendly with Cassio.

Question 5

Act 2, Scene 2

Answer 5

• A brief proclamation celebrates the safety of Cyprus and Othello’s marriage.

Question 6

Act 2, Scene 3

Answer 6

• Iago gets Cassio drunk and orchestrates a brawl, leading to Cassio’s demotion.
• Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona’s help in regaining Othello’s favour.

Question 7

Act 3, Scene 1

Answer 7

• Cassio asks Emilia to arrange a meeting with Desdemona.

Question 8

Act 3, Scene 2

Answer 8

• Othello handles official duties briefly.

Question 9

Act 3, Scene 3

Answer 9

• Desdemona pleads Cassio’s case.
• Iago uses this to manipulate Othello into believing Desdemona is unfaithful.
• The handkerchief, Othello’s first gift to Desdemona, becomes a key piece of “evidence” when Iago ensures it ends up with Cassio.

Question 10

Act 3, Scene 4

Answer 10

• Desdemona worries about losing the handkerchief.
• Othello becomes increasingly erratic.
• Cassio gives the handkerchief to his mistress Bianca.

Question 11

Act 4, Scene 1

Answer 11

• Othello falls into a trance, imagining Cassio with Desdemona.
• Iago stages a conversation with Cassio that Othello misinterprets.
• Othello strikes Desdemona in public.

Question 12

Act 4, Scene 2

Answer 12

• Othello interrogates Desdemona and accuses her, but she is confused and hurt.
• Emilia suspects foul play.

Question 13

Act 4, Scene 3

Answer 13

• Desdemona discusses her loyalty with Emilia and sings the “Willow Song,” foreshadowing tragedy.

Question 14

Act 5, Scene 1

Answer 14

• Iago sets up Cassio to be attacked by Roderigo
• Cassio wounds Roderigo instead.
• Iago secretly wounds Cassio and kills Roderigo to cover his tracks.

Question 15

Act 5, Scene 2

Answer 15

• Othello smothers Desdemona in bed.
• Emilia exposes Iago’s lies and is killed by him.
• Othello learns the truth and kills himself.
• Iago is arrested, his fate left to Cassio.