Plot
Act 1, Scene 1
The play Othello begins in Venice, where Iago, a low-ranking officer in the army, and Roderigo, a man in love with Desdemona, are talking about their frustration with Othello. Roderigo is upset because Othello has married Desdemona, while Iago is angry because Othello promoted Cassio to lieutenant instead of him. Iago immediately starts plotting revenge.
Iago convinces Roderigo to wake up Brabantio, a senator and Desdemona’s father, and tell him that Desdemona has secretly married Othello. Brabantio is furious and searches his house. When he finds out that Desdemona is indeed gone, he is very distressed.
In this scene, we see several key themes. First is jealousy: Iago is jealous of Cassio for getting a promotion, and Roderigo is jealous of Othello for marrying Desdemona. Another theme is the concept of the “Other,” highlighting Othello’s outsider status. Othello is referred to with terms that emphasize his foreignness, like “lascivious Moor”, “thicklips”, “an old black ram” and “an extravagant and wheeling stranger.”
The theme of deception is also present. Roderigo feels tricked by Iago, who has failed to help him win Desdemona’s love. Brabantio feels deceived by his daughter for marrying Othello without his permission. Additionally, Iago admits he only pretends to be loyal to Othello.
Act 1, Scene 2
In this scene, Othello makes his first appearance. Iago tells Othello that he has heard people speaking poorly of him and warns him about potential trouble, all while pretending to be loyal and gaining Othello’s trust.
Cassio arrives to inform Othello that the duke is looking for him because there is a military threat to Cyprus. When Brabantio arrives, Iago advises Othello to be cautious. Despite the tension, Othello remains confident and unafraid, showing his readiness to face any challenge.
Brabantio accuses Othello of using magic to win over his daughter, Desdemona, and demands that Othello be imprisoned. Othello responds that this would upset the duke. Realizing the importance of the situation, Brabantio agrees that the duke should decide what to do with Othello.
At this point, it is clear to the audience that Iago is manipulative and only looking out for himself. Meanwhile, Othello has shown that he does not fit the negative descriptions others have used against him.
Act 1, Scene 3
Act 1, Scene 3 takes place in the duke’s council chamber, where council members are discussing reports about a Turkish fleet approaching Cyprus, a colony of Venice. Messengers are providing updates on the number of Turkish ships coming. When the duke refers to Othello as “Valiant Othello,” it becomes clear that the council respects him, which contrasts with how Iago, Roderigo, and Brabantio view him.
Brabantio quickly complains that his daughter has been taken from him. The duke is shocked and vows to punish the person responsible. The duke tells Brabantio that he can decide the punishment, saying he can “read in the bitter letter / After your own sense.” However, the duke is surprised to learn that Othello is the man accused.
Othello respectfully defends himself by explaining his life story and how he and Desdemona fell in love. The duke, needing Othello’s leadership for the war against the Turks, suggests they need more evidence to prove that Desdemona was truly stolen. Desdemona is called to speak before the council.
When Desdemona arrives, she explains that she is torn between her loyalty to her father and her love for her husband, Othello. She tells her father, “And so much duty as my mother showed / To you, preferring you before her father, / So much I challenge that I may profess / Due to the Moor, my lord.” With this, Desdemona settles the matter, and the duke needs no further proof.
The duke appoints Othello as governor of Cyprus and instructs him to prepare to leave. Desdemona asks to accompany Othello to Cyprus, and the duke allows it. Before the scene ends, Brabantio warns Othello one last time, saying, “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. / She has deceived her father, and may thee.” This warning will later trouble Othello.
The scene concludes with Iago manipulating Roderigo, who is heartbroken and ready to end his life because he believes he has no chance with Desdemona. Iago, however, convinces Roderigo to stay strong, predicting that Desdemona and Othello will grow tired of each other. Iago urges Roderigo to stick with him so they can both get revenge on Othello.
After Roderigo leaves, Iago speaks to himself (in an aside to the audience), admitting that he thinks Roderigo is a fool. He also repeats how much he hates Othello, having heard rumors that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. This gives Iago further motivation to harm Othello. He plans to make Othello believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Iago believes this will be easy because “The Moor is of a free and open nature, That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, / And will as tenderly be led by th’ nose / As asses are.”
Act 2, Scene 1
Act 2, Scene 1 begins in Cyprus, where a violent storm is raging at sea. Montano, the former governor of Cyprus, is worried that Othello’s ships may have been destroyed by the storm. Soon after, Montano is informed that the storm has scattered the Turkish fleet, ending the threat of war.
Cassio enters, and through his conversation with Montano, it becomes clear that he is deeply loyal to Othello. The audience also learns that Cassio approves of Othello’s marriage to Desdemona, showing that he is not involved in Iago’s schemes.
Desdemona, along with Emilia, Iago, and Roderigo, arrives in Cyprus. Desdemona is anxious because Othello has not yet appeared. While Cassio is shown to be caring and respectful, Iago comes across as crude. He mocks his wife and criticizes women in general, saying they are “pictures out of doors, / Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens, / Saints in your injuries, devils being offended, / Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds.” By this, Iago means that women are deceitful, noisy, wild, and only good for sex.
Othello finally arrives and expresses his deep love for Desdemona publicly, saying, “I cannot speak enough of this content. / It stops me here; it is too much of joy.” Iago, seeing this display of love, comments in an aside to the audience, “O, you are well tuned now! / But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music,” indicating his intent to destroy their happiness.
Iago then renews his plan to stir up Othello’s jealousy and persuades Roderigo to help him. Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona has fallen for Cassio, which Roderigo finds hard to believe at first. However, Iago manipulates him, fueling Roderigo’s anger until he agrees to challenge Cassio to a fight. Iago assures Roderigo that this will bring him closer to getting what he wants, saying, “So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them.”
Act 2, Scene 2
In this brief scene, Othello declares that there will be a night of celebration to mark two important events: his recent marriage to Desdemona and Cyprus’s narrow escape from the threat of a Turkish attack.
Act 2, Scene 3
Othello sends Cassio to guard his house while he and Desdemona go to bed. Cassio mentions that Iago will be joining him, and Othello responds, “Iago is most honest.” This line is ironic because the audience knows that Iago is anything but honest, highlighting Othello’s vulnerability and trust in the wrong person.
When Cassio meets up with Iago, Iago talks about Desdemona in a sexual way, while Cassio speaks of her as being modest, exquisite, and delicate. Iago then persuades Cassio to drink, despite Cassio admitting that he gets drunk easily. Iago takes advantage of this and gets Cassio intoxicated, leading to a public fight.
When Othello arrives to deal with the situation, he asks Iago who is responsible for the brawl. Iago, pretending to be hesitant, subtly blames Cassio. As a result, Othello punishes Cassio by demoting him from his recent promotion, which the audience knows is a serious mistake and part of Iago’s manipulative plan.
Act 3, Scene 1
Cassio, feeling regretful and upset, stands in front of Othello’s castle. He is trying to convince Emilia to help him by asking Desdemona to speak on his behalf to Othello, hoping to restore his reputation after the recent incident. Meanwhile, Iago, continuing his manipulations, tells Cassio that he will arrange for Othello to be away from the castle, giving Cassio the opportunity to meet with Desdemona privately. This is all part of Iago’s plan to make it appear as though there is something inappropriate going on between Cassio and Desdemona, further fueling Othello’s jealousy.
Act 3, Scene 2
In this brief scene, Othello hands some important papers to Iago, instructing him to deliver them. Afterward, the audience watches as Othello leaves the castle. This departure sets the stage for the next scene, where Desdemona remains in the castle without Othello, creating the opportunity for Iago’s scheme to unfold and for Cassio to meet with Desdemona alone, as planned by Iago.
Act 3, Scene 3
In Act 3, Scene 3, Desdemona meets Cassio in the garden of Othello’s castle. Cassio asks for her help, and Desdemona agrees to speak to Othello and ask him to forgive Cassio. As Cassio leaves, Iago and Othello arrive. Iago notices Cassio leaving and slyly says, “Ha! I like not that,” as if something suspicious is happening. Othello asks what Iago means, and Iago pretends it’s nothing, but he is starting to make Othello doubt Cassio.
Othello asks if it was Cassio who left, and Iago begins his plan. Desdemona talks to Othello, asking him to forgive Cassio, but Othello doesn’t promise anything. After she leaves, Iago starts making Othello even more suspicious by asking questions about Cassio, like whether Cassio knew about Othello and Desdemona’s love when they were courting. When Othello asks why, Iago brushes it off as just a simple question, but he is really planting seeds of doubt.
Iago’s trick works in two ways. First, he makes Othello think Desdemona is cheating on him, and second, he pretends to be a loyal friend to Othello while secretly working against him. Iago even warns Othello about jealousy, calling it a “green-eyed monster,” but still fuels Othello’s suspicions. He tells Othello to find proof of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness but also reminds him that she once lied to her father, which adds to Othello’s doubts.
Othello begins to trust Iago completely. Shortly after, Desdemona appears and wipes Othello’s forehead with her handkerchief when he complains of a headache. The handkerchief falls when they leave. Emilia, Iago’s wife, picks it up, remembering that Iago asked her to steal it. After Emilia leaves, Iago plans to plant the handkerchief in Cassio’s room to frame him.
Later, Othello confronts Iago, saying he has lost all peace and demanding proof of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. He warns Iago that if he’s lying, there will be consequences. Iago pretends to be offended, making Othello feel guilty for doubting him.
Othello is confused and torn between trusting his wife or believing Iago. Then, Iago lies again, saying he overheard Cassio talking in his sleep about his love for Desdemona and even kissing Iago in his sleep, thinking he was Desdemona. Iago adds that Cassio cursed “the Moor” (Othello) for being married to Desdemona.
This is too much for Othello to handle. The idea of Desdemona and Cassio being together drives him into a jealous rage. He demands that Cassio be killed, and Iago agrees to do it. In return, Othello makes Iago his new lieutenant, fully trusting him, even though Iago is the one betraying him.
Act 3, Scene 4
In this scene, Desdemona and Emilia are discussing jealousy, although Desdemona has no idea what is truly happening with Othello. Desdemona tells Emilia that she can’t imagine Othello ever becoming jealous. This is an example of irony because the audience knows that Othello is already consumed by jealousy.
When Othello enters, he says he isn’t feeling well and asks Desdemona for the handkerchief he gave her. Desdemona admits she has lost it, which upsets Othello. He explains that the handkerchief has magical powers and that losing it could bring bad luck. The conversation becomes heated, and tempers flare as Othello and Desdemona argue. Othello then angrily leaves the room.
Meanwhile, Cassio meets with Bianca, a woman he has been with but does not love. Bianca asks where Cassio has been. He shows her Desdemona’s handkerchief, which he found. Bianca, feeling jealous, assumes the handkerchief belongs to another woman Cassio has been involved with. Cassio reassures her that he simply found it and asks her to make a copy of it.
Act 4, Scene 1
Iago continues to manipulate Othello, pushing him deeper into jealousy and anger. As a result, Othello experiences an epileptic fit, and Iago takes satisfaction in the chaos he has caused. After Othello recovers, Iago suggests that Othello hide and watch as he talks to Cassio about Desdemona. However, Iago is actually talking to Cassio about Bianca, a woman Cassio has been involved with. Othello cannot hear the conversation clearly and mistakenly thinks that Cassio is laughing about Desdemona.
When Bianca arrives and returns the handkerchief to Cassio, Othello is shocked, believing it proves Desdemona’s infidelity. As Cassio leaves, Othello, consumed with rage, asks Iago, “How shall I murder him, Iago?” Iago continues to manipulate Othello by focusing on the handkerchief, increasing Othello’s fury. Now, Othello wants to kill Desdemona as well and speaks about violently hurting her. Iago suggests that Othello should strangle her.
Later, Lodovico, Desdemona’s uncle, arrives from Venice with a letter commanding Othello to return to Venice and leave Cassio in charge of Cyprus. When Othello is with Desdemona, she expresses hope that he and Cassio can make peace, which enrages Othello. In his anger, Othello strikes Desdemona and calls her a “devil,” shocking Lodovico, who wonders what is wrong with Othello.
Lodovico confronts Othello, and Othello responds by calling Desdemona a whore. Afterward, Iago speaks with Lodovico, hinting that something is wrong with Othello’s mind. Iago, pretending to be reluctant, says, “It is not honesty in me to speak / What I have seen and known,” making Othello seem weak and unstable. Of course, Iago denies any responsibility for Othello’s misery and mental breakdown, while secretly causing it all.
Act 4, Scene 2
In this scene, Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona’s faithfulness, trying to find out if his wife has been unfaithful. Emilia strongly defends Desdemona, saying that if Desdemona is not pure, then no man can ever be happy because even the most innocent wives would be guilty of terrible things. She says, “There’s no man happy; the purest of their wives / Is foul as slander,” meaning that Desdemona is as pure as can be, and any accusations against her are false.
Meanwhile, Roderigo confronts Iago, frustrated that Iago has done nothing to help him win Desdemona’s love. Iago calms Roderigo by telling him that Othello will soon leave Cyprus without Desdemona, and if Roderigo kills Cassio, then no one will be in the way of him and Desdemona. This manipulates Roderigo into continuing to follow Iago’s deceitful plan.
Act 4, Scene 3
In this short scene, Emilia is helping Desdemona get ready for bed. Desdemona asks Emilia if there are women who cheat on their husbands, and Emilia says that there are. Desdemona then asks Emilia if she herself could ever do such a thing to her own husband. Emilia turns the question back on Desdemona, asking if she could. Desdemona replies, “No, by this heavenly light!” meaning she could never do that.
Through this conversation, Shakespeare shows that despite everything Othello has done to Desdemona, she remains loyal and faithful to him.
Act 5, Scene 1
Roderigo attempts to kill Cassio, but instead, he ends up getting wounded. Taking advantage of the chaos, Iago secretly attacks Cassio from behind and then quickly escapes. After some time, Iago returns and kills Roderigo to ensure that Roderigo doesn’t reveal Iago’s plot, keeping his scheme hidden.
Act 5, Scene 2
In Act 5, Scene 2 of Othello, the scene opens with Othello entering Desdemona’s bedroom, holding a light as she sleeps. He delivers a soliloquy, conflicted by his love for her and the belief that she has been unfaithful. As he gazes at her beauty, he kisses her and expresses sorrow at what he feels he must do, though he hesitates, torn by his emotions.
Othello wakes Desdemona with a kiss, and as she stirs, he tells her to prepare for death. Confused and frightened, Desdemona pleads with him to explain why he is talking this way. Othello accuses her of giving Cassio the handkerchief, the symbol of his love, and being unfaithful. Desdemona protests her innocence, begging Othello to summon Cassio to clear her name, but Othello believes Cassio is already dead and dismisses her pleas. Desdemona begs for mercy, but Othello smothers her with a pillow.
At this moment, Emilia knocks on the door. Othello, startled, lets her in and tries to hide Desdemona’s body. Emilia tells Othello that Roderigo is dead and Cassio is still alive, which shocks Othello. As they speak, Desdemona, barely alive, utters her final words, claiming she was falsely murdered and saying that she did it to herself before she dies. Emilia, realizing the truth, accuses Othello of killing Desdemona. Othello confesses that he did it because Iago had told him of her unfaithfulness.
Emilia is horrified and begins to scream for help, calling Iago a liar and exposing his treachery. Iago, along with Montano and others, rushes in. Emilia reveals that Iago was the one who manipulated the situation with the handkerchief, and despite Iago’s threats, she continues to speak the truth. Iago, desperate, stabs Emilia, and she collapses by Desdemona’s side. Before dying, Emilia sings a few lines of the song she sang earlier about betrayal, then dies.
Othello, now fully aware of Iago’s deception, is overwhelmed with guilt and anger. He tries to kill Iago, but he is stopped and disarmed. Othello, filled with despair, is taken into custody. Iago refuses to explain his motives, vowing that from this point on, he will never speak another word.
In his final speech, Othello reflects on his actions, asking to be remembered as “one that loved not wisely but too well” and someone who “threw a pearl away richer than all his tribe,” a reference to Desdemona. He then stabs himself, kisses Desdemona one last time, and dies beside her.
Lodovico takes control of the situation, informing Othello that he is no longer the governor of Cyprus and that Cassio will take his place. Iago is ordered to be taken away for punishment. Cassio, now in charge, will ensure justice is done. The play ends with Lodovico lamenting the tragic events that have unfolded and restoring order.
