Scene-By-Scene Plot Recount Flashcards
What happens in Act I Scene I?
’Othello’ opens in medias res, with Roderigo and the tragic villain, Iago amidst an argument, immediately establishing the play as a tragedy filled with conflict. Throughout this scene, Othello is not referred to by name, rather reduced to ‘the Moor’. Iago expresses his hatred towards Othello and admits to his sycophantic and duplicitous behaviours. They rouse Brabantio from his sleep and inform him of Desdemona and Othello’s clandestine marriage.
What happens in Act I Scene II?
Within this scene, we, the audience, are finally presented with the eponymous hero of this tragedy, Othello; he greatly contrasts the earlier depictions of him offered by other characters. He instead appears as a composed, honorable and valiant man, who we may admire. This glorification sets up Othello for his inevitable tragic fall from grace. It is also notable that Iago’s attitude towards Othello shifts at this point in an unsettling natural manner, conveying his duplicitous nature. Cassio enters and informs Othello that the duke has requested his presence, needing to discuss urgent matters about Cyprus. Shortly after ‘Brabantio, Roderigo and Officers with torches and weapons’ enter to confront Othello, who attempts to diffuse the conflict.
**What happens in Act I Scene III?*
This scene opens with a meeting between the duke and senators, discussing the different reports on the Turkish fleet. They anticipate that the Turks will invade Cyprus, and that their fleet heading towards Rhodes is a red herring – this is confirmed by a messenger. Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo and officers enter. Upon seeing Othello, the Duke appoints him to lead the forces to defend Cyprus. He then notices Brabantio, who presents his case against Othello. The Duke allows Othello to defend himself, who urges them to call upon Desdemona and speak for herself. At this point in the play, the two lovers appear to be enthralled with each other as they defend their marriage. This scene is significant as it marks Desdemona’s shift in allegiance from her father, Brabantio, to her husband, Othello, subverting societal conventions. The lovers’ case wins the favour of the Duke, and attention is, once more, shifted towards the war, as they plan their departure. Everyone, except Roderigo and Iago, exit the stage; Roderigo is distraught, and Iago talks sense into him, devising a plan. At the end of this scene, Iago reveals his plans to bring forth Othello’s downfall.
**What happens in Act II Scene I?*
The setting changes from Venice to Cyprus; Montana, Governer of Cyprus, awaits the Venetian forces, who have been delayed due to a storm. It is revealed that the storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet, and consequently, they no longer pose a threat to Cyprus. This gives a momentary sense of peace, though the real war at the heart of the tragedy is yet to begin – the change to a foreign, secluded setting means that Othello is now much more vulnerable. Cassio’s ship is first to arrive, followed by Desdemona, who is accompanied by Iago and Emilia. As they wait for Othello’s arrival, Desdemona and Iago engage in banter about female sexuality. Though Iago speaks with a comical tone, his words are hostile and reveal the very same misogynistic rhetoric he will use to manipulate Othello. Iago then notices Cassio and Desdemona’s friendly interactions, which inspire his schemes. Othello triumphantly arrives and he, Desdemona, and the attendants exit the stage, leaving Iago and Roderigo to converse. Iago tells Roderigo that Cassio is involved in an affair with Desdemona and convinces him to provoke Cassio into a fight.
**What happens in Act II Scene II?*
Short scene – On Othello’s behalf, the herald reads a proclamation declaring a night of general festivities to celebrate both the destruction of the Turkish fleet and Othello’s recent marriage.
**What happens in Act II Scene III?*
Othello instructs Cassio to overlook the celebration, ensuring that the soldiers drink with moderation. He then retires to bed with Desdemona, to consummate their marriage. Iago initiates his plan to taint Cassio’s image by encouraging him to drink, exploiting his inability to handle liquor; Cassio becomes quickly intoxicated, though he insists he’s not, and runs off stage, leaving Iago and Montano, who discuss his drinking problems. Discretely, Iago sets Roderigo up to quarrel with Cassio – moments later Cassio chases Roderigo on stage. Montano tries to intervene, but he too gets caught in a brawl with Cassio and ends up injured. Othello enters, putting an end to the fight and demanding answers; he swiftly dismisses Cassio from his post. After Othello returns to his lodgings, Iago consoles Cassio, feigning friendship, and advises him to appeal to Desdemona to intercede with her husband. When Cassio exits, Iago addresses the audience, asserting that his advice is inherently good, proving that his inequity transcends the bounds of the stage. The scene ends with Roderigo, dismayed and determined to return to Venice, though Iago assures him that his plan has just begun.
**What happens in Act III Scene I?*
In an attempt to regain Othello’s favour, Cassio hires a group of musicians to play beneath his window. However, Othello sends his servant, a clown, to dispel the music. Cassio requests the clown to call for Emilia, seeking to talk to her. When the clown exits, Iago enters, and upon learning Cassio’s plan, he assures him that he would send Emilia himself, also promising to take Othello aside, so that they may confer privately. Emilia enters and reports that Desdemona and Othello have been discussing the events of last night. She tells Cassio that Desdemona has been defending him, and that although Othello is unable to reinstate him due to Montano’s influence in Cyprus, he plans to when the opportunity presents. Even so, Cassio begs Emilia to arrange a conversation with Desdemona, and she agrees to help.
**What happens in Act III Scene II?*
Short scene – Othello instructs Iago to deliver some letters to the caption of a ship bound for Venice. This highlights the power Othello has over Iago at this point, but also his trust in him.
**What happens in Act III Scene III?*
This scene starts with Desdemona and Cassio amidst a conversation, that is cut short when Othello and Iago approach; Cassio, embarrassed by his previous antics, swiftly leaves to avoid confrontation with Othello, though he is seen by him regardless. Othello asks Iago whether it was Cassio who just left, and Iago questions why, if it was him, he would flee so guiltily.
Desdemona confirms that she was just talking to Cassio, urging Othello to call him back and speak with him. He reassures her that he will do so another time and asks her to leave. When she does, Iago starts planting the seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind, asking leading questions about Cassio’s honour – Othello takes notice of Iago’s vague, but suggestive words and urges him to speak his mind. Iago eventually relents, revealing his suspicions of an affair between Desdemona and Cassio, but warns Othello of jealousy. Othello denies being jealous, but as Iago leaves, we begin to see he is clearly disturbed.
Desdemona and Emilia enter, and Desdemona notices that something is troubling Othello, offering him her handkerchief. He rejects it and it falls, unnoticed, as she guides him off stage for dinner. Emilia picks up the handkerchief, musing that her husband had been asking for it, but that Desdemona treasures it too greatly for her to have taken it.
She decides that she will make a copy of the handkerchief for him, but when Iago enters, he takes it and sends her away. When Emilia is gone, Iago reveals that he plans to plant the handkerchief in Cassio’s room and frame him for adultery.
Othello reenters, clearly hysterical, and demands Iago for proof of Desdemona’s affair, who alleges that he had recently heard Cassio talking in his sleep about making love to Desdemona and even saw him wipe his beard with her handkerchief. Enraged, Othello kneels and vows to the heavens that he will take his revenge and Iago joins him, pledging to help. Othello promotes Iago to lieutenant.
**What happens in Act III Scene IV?*
This scene opens with Desdemona sending the clown to find Cassio and deliver the message that she has spoken to Othello about his reinstatement. When he exits, she wonders where her handkerchief might be, upset, but Emilia acts oblivious; she questions whether Othello is a jealous man, which Desdemona denies. This is ironic as soon after Othello enters the stage and chastises her by alluding to her promiscuity through examining her hand. Unaware of the cause behind Othello’s strange disposition, Desdemona, once again, asks him to reinstate Cassio, which enrages him further. Othello demands for the handkerchief he had given her but when she is unable to produce it, he reveals the tale of its history and magical origins. Desdemona entreats for Cassio’s reinstatement to change the subject, which causes Othello to exit the stage in a fit of fury. Emilia comments on his clear jealousy and the fickle nature of men. Iago and Cassio enter – Cassio pleads further with Desdemona, to which she assures him that she is trying, but that Othello is in a bad humour. Iago promises to go soothe him, exiting, and they speculate the cause of Othello’s temperament, with Desdemona certain that it is a political matter. Desdemona and Emilia exit, leaving Cassio on stage. Bianca, a courtesan who is involved with Cassio, enters. She is angry at him for not going to see her. Cassio gives Bianca Desdemona’s handkerchief, asking her to copy its embroidery and she accuses him of having another lover. Cassio assures her that he simply found in his bedchambers and then promptly asks her to leave so Othello does not see that he has a lover.
**What happens in Act IV Scene I?*
Act IV begins amidst a conversation between Othello and Iago, conveying how Iago plagues Othello’s mind, even off stage. Iago tells Othello that Cassio admitted to sleeping with Desdemona, tormenting him with vivid descriptions of their sexual activity. Othello is physiologically affected by Iago’s words as he falls into a ‘trance’. Cassio enters and Iago claims that Othello has epilepsy and has had seizures before and that they must let it take its course. Iago sends Cassio offstage but tells him he’d like to talk to him in private. Othello regains consciousness and Iago tells him to hide and observe Cassio. He is positioned to see, but not necessarily hear, the conversation between Iago and Cassio. When Cassio returns, Iago orchestrates a conversation about Bianca, so it appears as a conversation about Desdemona. Bianca enters, angry with Cassio, and throws Desdemona’s handkerchief at him. When she exits, Cassio chases after her to prevent her making a scene. Upon seeing Desdemona’s handkerchief in the hands of Cassio’s mistress, Othello is fully convinced of their affair and vows to kill them both. He proposes poison but Iago convinces him to strangle Desdemona. Just then, a trumpet sounds off stage and Lodovico, Desdemona and attendants enter. Lodovico hands Othello a letter, requesting his return to Venice. Desdemona asks Lodovico to mend Othello and Cassio’s friendship. Othello shames and humiliates Desdemona, striking her. When they exit the stage, Lodovico shows disturbance towards Othello’s behaviours and changed disposition.
**What happens in Act IV Scene II?*
**What happens in Act IV Scene III?*
Returning from a state dinner, Othello invites Lodovico on a walk. He orders Desdemona to go to bed, dismiss Emilia and await him. Desdemona professes her love for Othello, despite his recent behaviours. When Emilia tells Desdemona she has made her bed with her wedding sheets, Desdemona requests Emilia, that if she were to die before her, for her to wrap her body in those wedding sheets. As Emilia helps Desdemona prepare for bed, Desdemona sings the ‘Willow Song’, remembering her mother’s maid, Barbary, who died singing the song after her lover went mad and abandoned her. The song foreshadows Desdemona’s imminent demise, which she appears to have a premonition of. The two women then discuss infidelity, with Emilia arguing that women have the same desires as men and Desdemona arguing that no woman should be unfaithful to her husband, reinforcing her role as a tragic innocent.
**What happens in Act V Scene I?*
**What happens in Act V Scene II?*
