Act and Scene summaries Flashcards
A1S1
Iago tells Roderigo he hates Othello. Othello has promoted Cassio to lieutenant and not him. They stand outside Brabantio’s house and tell him about Othello and Desdemona’s secret marriage.
A1S2
Othello believes Iago’s version of events when he tells him about Brabantio.
There is a war going on with the Turks and the Senate are meeting very late at night to discuss news.
Brabantio thinks the Duke and the rest of the Senate will side with him against Othello.
A1S3
Othello won Desdemona’s love by telling her stories of his past adventures.
Desdemona chooses to go with her husband to Cyprus and feels loyalty to him over her father.
Iago is using Roderigo to help him in his plans and he has already hatched a plot to make Othello believe Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona – in a double revenge.
A2S1
The danger to Cyprus from the Turkish fleet has passed.
Iago intends for Roderigo to start a fight with Cassio in order to get Cassio into trouble.
Iago suggests Othello might have had an affair with his wife Emilia, but admits he has no proof.
A2S2
Othello’s herald announces a party to celebrate the triumph over the Turks and Othello’s marriage to Desdemona.
A2S3
Othello trusts Iago and Cassio. When the fight breaks out Othello turns to Iago for an honest report of what happened.
Cassio is distraught that he has lost not only his position as lieutenant but also his reputation.
Cassio is going to ask Desdemona to talk to Othello on his behalf and, meanwhile, Iago plans to convince Othello that Desdemona has feelings for Cassio.
A3S1
Cassio trusts Iago to help him.
Desdemona wants to help Cassio.
Emilia doesn’t know anything about Iago’s plan and helps Cassio.
A3S2
Othello passes through, talking to Iago and others about affairs of state.
A3S3
Othello does not feel very secure about Desdemona’s love for him but he does trust Iago.
Iago is very quick thinking and builds his lies very quickly, using Othello’s responses.
Emilia wants to please her husband, even if it means stealing from her mistress.
A3S4
The handkerchief is incredibly important to Othello and was a gift to his Mother, possibly with some ‘magic’ in it.
Othello believes Desdemona has given the handkerchief to Cassio.
Desdemona has noticed Othello behaving strangely but thinks it must be because of his work. Emilia suspects Othello’s strange behaviour is because of jealousy .
Cassio does not know who the handkerchief belongs to but he gives it to Bianca.
A4S1
Othello has a history of epilepsy.
Othello has been recalled to Venice and Cassio is meant to take his place as governor of Cyprus.
Othello’s violent behaviour towards his wife seems shocking to the Venetian nobleman Lodovico.
A4S2
Iago is still trusted by everyone.
Emilia guesses there is someone causing all this trouble but does not realise it is her husband.
Roderigo has given Iago jewels for Desdemona that Iago has not given to her.
A4S3
Desdemona continues to love Othello despite his behaviour towards her.
Emilia recognises that relationships between men and women are usually are more complex than Desdemona thinks.
A5S1
Iago hopes both Cassio and Roderigo will die this night so that no one can reveal the truth of his own actions.
Othello is spurred on to kill Desdemona by believing Iago has killed Cassio.
When Cassio survives, Iago has to think quickly and tries to blame Bianca for the attack on Cassio.
A5S2
Othello does not want to kill Desdemona but feels he has to.
Emilia shows great bravery in speaking out against her husband.
Cassio forgives Othello and retains respect for him despite everything.
