Othello: Act 1

Question 1

Summarize Othello Act 1

Answer 1

Act 1 Summary:

• Night time in the streets of Venice, where Rodrigo and Iago discuss Othellos secret marriage to Desdemona.
• Rodrigo loves Desdemona, he’s mad that Iago didn’t tell him before hand, because Iago is Othello’s chief Officer.
• Iago actually hates othello, because Othello passed him over for promotion.
• Iago tells Rodrigo that they should go and wake up Desdemona’s father (Brobantio) and say that Desdemona ran off with a black man.
• Brabantio doesn’t find Desdemona in her room, causing him to gather men, and go looking for Desdemona and Othello, being the only black person.
• Brabantio and his men find Othello.
• Brabantio wants to arrest Othello for using witchcraft for Desdemona to fall in love with him, thinking that a white girl wouldn’t fall for someone black.
• Othello was on his way to see the Duke, who summoned him to a military mission, so they all go to the Duke.
• Duke hears both sides, however Desdemona steps forward claiming that she actually loves Othello and that no witchcraft was involved.
• The Duke sends othello away to defend the island of Sypresu being invaded by the Turkish navy.
• Othello tells Iago to bring Desdemona to Sypreus after him.
• Iago tells Rodergio to sell his lands and follow them to Sypreus, where he’ll have his chance to get together with Desdimona.
• Iago hates Othello, because Othello is rumoured to have slept with his wife, Emilia.
• Iago is going to get revenge by making Othello suspect that Desdemona is sleeping with the armies 2nd in command, Cassio.