Overview of scenes Flashcards
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 1:1
Roderigo has paid Iago to help him win Desdemona’s love. Roderigo’s angry because she’s married to Othello.
Iago tells Roderigo that he hates Othello for promoting Cassio to lieutenant ahead of him.
They wake up Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, and tell him about her secret marriage to Othello.
Brabantio is furious when he discover’s that she’s run away. He goes with Roderigo to confront Othello.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 1:2
Iago warns Othello that his secret marriage to Desdemona had been discovered.
Othello is summoned to see the Duke to discuss the situation in Cyprus.
Brabantio enters and accuses Othello. Brabantio decides to bring the case before the Duke.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 1:3
The Duke is discussing the military situation in Cyprus with his senators. They tell Othello to prepare for war.
Brabantio accuses Othello of stealing Desdemona from him. The Duke asks for evidence. Othello and Desdemona explain how they fell in love
Iago convinces Roderigo to raise more money, telling him that it will help to win Desdemona’s love.
In a soliloquy, Iago plans to get revenge on Othello by convincing him that his wife is unfaithful.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 2:1
A storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet and separated the Venetian ships.
Cassio’s ship arrives in Cyprus first, then Desdemona and Iago join him. They wait for Othello.
Othello’s ship finally arrives and Desdemona is very relieved. They prepare a celebration.
Iago suggests further motives for his plan to destroy Othello, Desdemona and Cassio.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 2:2
A herald announces that Othello plans revelry for the evening in celebration of Cyprus’s safety from the Turks, and also in celebration of his marriage to Desdemona.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 2:3
Othello leaves Cassio to keep order on the island as he and Desdemona go to consummate their marriage.
Iago tries to make Cassio admit that he has feelings for Desdemona. When he fails, he gets him drunk instead.
Acting on Iago’s instructions, Roderigo provokes Cassio who chases him. Montano stops Cassio and they fight.
Cassio wounds Montano, just as Othello enters. Iago gives his version of events so that Othello will fire Cassio.
Iago advises Cassio to try to convince Desdemona to help him regain his position of Othello’s lieutenant.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 3:1
Cassio arranges for some musicians to play to Othello and Desdemona, but Othello pays them to leave.
Emilia agrees to help Cassio talk to Desdemona. He hopes that Desdemona will defend him to Othello.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 3:2
Othello asks Iago to pay his respects to the council and joins him as he inspects the Islands fortifications.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 3:3
Desdemona Kindly agrees to talk to Othello on Cassio’s behalf. She begs Othello to reinstate Cassio as his Lieutenant, but Othello asks her to leave.
Once Iago and Othello are alone, Iago starts to convince Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful. Desdemona returns and thinks Othello looks unwell. She tries to nurse him and drops her handkerchief.
Emilia takes the handkerchief and gives it to Iago. Iago plans to plant it in Cassio’s lodgings.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 3:4
Desdemona makes Othello angry by once again asking him to reinstate Cassio.
Othello asks to borrow her handkerchief and gets even angrier when she can’t produce it.
Emilia suggests that Othello is jealous, but Desdemona thinks it must be something else.
Cassio gives the handkerchief to Bianca and asks her to make a copy of it. She thinks it’s from another woman.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 4:1
Iago continues to torture Othello by talking about Desdemona and Cassio’s alleged affair. Othello has a seizure.
Iago persuades Othello to eavesdrop on a conversation between himself and Cassio. Iago asks Cassio about Bianca but Othello thinks they’re talking about Desdemona.
Lodovico delivers a letter summoning Othello back to Venice and appointing Cassio as governor of Cyprus. Othello mistakes Desdemona’s happiness for Cassio as affection, so he hits her.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 4:2
Othello asks Emilia about Desdemona and Cassio. She assures him that they’re innocent.
Othello interrogates Desdemona. She defends herself but Othello thinks she’s lying.
Roderigo confronts Iago because his attempts to woo Desdemona have come to nothing.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 4:3
Othello orders Desdemona to go to bed and tells her to dismiss Emilia.
Desdemona tells Emilia the story of her mother’s maid, Barbary, and sings her ‘willow’ song.
Desdemona and Emilia discuss their different views on infidelity and marriage.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 5:1
Roderigo attacks Cassio, but is unsuccessful. Cassio injures Rodrigo, then Iago stabs Cassio in the leg and exits.
Othello hears Cassio calling out in pain and thinks Iago has killed him. Othello leaves to murder Desdemona.
Iago returns and feigns ignorance of what has happened. He then stabs and kills Roderigo.
Bianca is distraught to see Cassio injured. Iago accuses her of being involved in the attack on Cassio.
Give a brief overview of what happens in the scene. 5:2
Othello tells Desdemona he is going to kill her. She begs for her life but he smothers her on their bed.
Emilia discovers the murder and tells Othello that Desdemona was innocent. Montano, Gratiano and Iago enter the room when they hear Emilia’s cries. When Emilia finds out that Iago used the handkerchief to prove Desdemona’s guilt, she confesses that she, stole it and accuses Iago of deceiving Othello.
Iago kills Emilia and runs away. He’s caught and brought back but he refuses to explain his actions.
Othello commits suicide. Cassio is given responsibility for torturing Iago.
