Othello Scenes Flashcards
Act 1 Scene 1
Iago and Roderigo, sharing their hatred for the moor, rouse Brabantio from sleep to tell him in increasingly obscene terms, that his daughter has eloped with Othello.
Act 1 Scene 2
Iago informs Othello of the oncoming mob. He, however, determines to stay and let his recommendations speak for him. Cassio arrives with a summons from the Duke, just before Brabantio storms on accusing Othello of witchcraft. He remains calm and reasons with him, pointing out they are both called for.
Act 1 Scene 3
Brabantio accuses Othello in front of the Duke. He allows Othello to speak: a passionate monologue sways the council and Desdemona’s confirmation only more so.
Othello is to leave for Cyprus, Desdemona asks to go with him.
Iago consoles a heartbroken Roderigo, “put money in thy purse”. He then hatches a plan to destroy Othello in his first soliloquy.
Act 2 Scene 1
The Turkish fleet is destroyed in a storm. Iago makes rude quips about women to Desdemona and Emilia while they anxiously await Othello. Meanwhile Iago observes Cassio’s Florentine manners, later using them to convince Roderigo he is in love with Desdemona, and that he should provoke him in the evening.
Act 2 Scene 2
Announcement of the celebrations of the end of the war
Act 2 Scene 3
Iago convinces Cassio to drink before his watch. Cassio returns from the watch chasing Roderigo, but instead ends up fighting and wounding Montano who steps in between them.
Othello returns from trying to consummate his marriage to break up the fight and demotes Cassio. The Florentine is consoled by Iago who councils him to sway Desdemona to his cause.
“How am I then a villain?” Soliloquy
Act 3 Scene 1
Cassio requests to see Desdemona through Emilia. Iago promises to keep Othello out of the way for their private discourse
Act 3 Scene 2
Othello goes to see the fortifications
Act 3 Scene 3
Othello and Iago observe Cassio leaving Desdemona. Desdemona tries to plead Cassio’s case - Othello agrees but dismissively. Iago starts to work his poison and then leaves Othello to think. Desdemona returns and noticing a change, offers up her handkerchief which Othello rejects aggressively.
Emilia, finding the handkerchief, gives it to Iago who has been asking after it. He intends to leave it in Cassio’s chambers. Othello returns, much transformed, vowing to kill Desdemona and have Cassio killed by Iago.
Act 3 Scene 4
Desdemona, concerned about her handkerchief, worries how Othello will react. He appears demanding to see it, telling a tale of its magical origin. Emilia questions Desdemona’s assertions that her husband is not jealous. She informs Cassio “my lord is not my lord”. Iago excuses the behaviour with matters of the state.
Bianca visits Cassio after, accusing him of cheating when she’s asked to have the pattern of the hankies copied.
Act 4 Scene 1
Iago implies Cassio confessed; he can get away with anything. Othello falls into an epileptic trance. Afterwards he observes a conversation between Iago and Cassio. They talk of Bianca but Othello misinterprets. Bianca enters, throws the handkerchief at Cassio and accuses him once more of cheating.
Iago and Othello decide on how to kill the lovers.
Othello strikes Desdemona in front of Ludovico who is shocked.
Act 4 Scene 2
Emilia swears he lady’s innocence but is dismissed. Othello accuses Desdemona of being a whore.
Desdemona asks her wedding sheets be put on her bed. Iago appears to console her, again blaming on state affairs while Emilia suspects foul play.
Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio despite his doubts.
Act 4 Scene 3
Emilia prepares her lady for bed. Desdemona has some foresight about her death. She sings “Willow”, a song by her mother’s maid who’s love forsook her. Emilia claims there are women who will be false to their husbands but Desdemona can’t believe it.
Act 4 Scene 1
Roderigo strikes at Cassio who retaliates and wounds him. Iago strikes a blow to Cassio from behind. Othello, hearing him cry out, makes his way to Desdemona’s chamber.
Iago pretends to stumble across the scene, killing Roderigo in revenge and tending to Cassio’s wound. He blames the event on Bianca, claiming they were rival lovers.
Act 5 Scene 2
Othello mourns the act he must commit. He asks her to pray and repent for her sins. She begs him to spare her.
Emilia arrives to inform of Roderigo’s death. Emilia discovers the dead Wife. Othello confesses to her. Emilia calls him out, she claims her husband lied and shouts out the murder. The group arrive. Iago stabs Emilia but she exposes him with her last breaths. Iago escapes and Othello kills himself.
