scene summaries Flashcards
Act 1, scene 1
The play begins with Iago expressing his hatred towards Othello for promoting Cassio instead of him, despite his lack of experience. They shout outside Brabantio’s house, revealing his daughter’s secret marriage to Othello. Iago angers Brabantio by describing Othello and Desdemona as “making the beast with two backs” and using sexual animal imagery. Brabantio initially doesn’t recognize them but eventually sees Roderigo and offers to help him find the married couple
Act 1, scene 2
Iago informs Othello that Brabantio knows about his marriage and has spoken scurvy terms against his honor. Othello dismisses this and lets Brabantio do his spite. Cassio sends a message to the Duke asking Othello to discuss the war in Cyprus. Brabantio and Roderigo arrest Othello for bewitching Desdemona, but Othello refuses, stating that the Duke and his state brothers feel wrong.
Act 1, scene 3
At the Senate, Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, and Roderigo discuss the war and Brabantio accuses Othello of bewitching his daughter, Desdemona. Desdemona confesses to marrying Othello for love and now has her duty to him. Othello warns Desdemona of deceiving her father and asks Iago to bring his wife Emilia to Cyprus. Iago convinces Othello to follow them to Cyprus, predicting their love will not last long. Iago plans to make Othello believe Desdemona is unfaithful to him with Cassio, aiming to plume up his will in double knavery.
Act 2, scene 1
Montano, the Governor of Cyprus, learns that the Turkish fleet has been damaged by storms, and Michael Cassio, lieutenant to Othello, arrives on shore. Desdemona, Iago, and Emilia arrive on the next ship, and Cassio describes Desdemona as a maid with wild fame. Iago plans to ensnare Cassio with his web. Othello’s ship arrives, and Desdemona is delighted to be together again. Iago convinces Roderigo that Desdemona is bored with Othello and suggests provoking him into a fight.
Act 2, scene 2
Othello’s herald announces a party to celebrate the triumph over the Turks and Othello’s marriage to Desdemona.
Act 2, scene 3
Othello leaves Cassio and Iago at the party and spends time alone with Desdemona. Iago convinces Cassio to drink, despite his protests. Iago sends Roderigo to provoke Cassio into a fight, but Cassio fights and injures him. Othello questions if they are turned Turks and Iago persuades himself to speak the truth. Cassio loses his reputation and immortality, and Iago advises him to ask Desdemona for help in convincing Othello to give him back his job. Iago plans to use Desdemona’s lust to repeal him. Roderigo arrives injured and has no money left, but Iago assures him the plan is working.
Act 3, scene 1
The morning after the fight, Cassio asks Emilia to help him speak to Desdemona and Iago offers further support. Emilia tells Cassio that Desdemona is already speaking up for him to Othello ‘and she speaks for you stoutly’. Cassio asks Emilia to help him speak ‘with Desdemon alone’.
Act 3, scene 2
Othello passes through, talking to Iago and others about affairs of state.
Act 3, scene 3
Desdemona assures Cassio that she will continue speaking on his behalf, promising to maintain a friendly relationship with him. Iago notices Cassio leaving Desdemona and suspects it could be him. Desdemona convinces Othello to talk to Cassio, who denies any wrongdoing. Iago suggests that something is happening between Cassio and Desdemona, advising him to observe his wife closely. Othello becomes convinced of his wife’s infidelity, and he loaths her. When Desdemona returns with Emilia, Othello complains of a headache and drops her handkerchief. Emilia claims her husband wooed her to steal it, and Iago takes it from her and plans to plant it in Cassio’s room to provide further evidence of his affair with Desdemona.Othello confronts Iago, furious about his wife’s affair with Cassio, demanding ‘ocular proof’. Iago argues that it would be difficult to catch them. Othello pretends to hear Cassio discussing the affair and sees him using Desdemona’s handkerchief. Convinced, Othello vows ‘wide revenge’ and asks Iago to kill Cassio and Desdemona himself.
Act 3, scene 4
Desdemona loses her handkerchief, but Emilia pretends she knows nothing about it. Othello borrows it, claiming it has magic. Desdemona tries to convince him about Cassio, but he keeps talking about it. Iago returns with Cassio, and Desdemona thinks Othello is jealous. Bianca, in love with Cassio, arrives and gives her the handkerchief, claiming it was found in his chamber.
Act 4, scene 1
Iago, pretending to be supportive, scolds Othello about Desdemona and Cassio, leading to an epileptic fit. Iago then questions Cassio about his relationship with Bianca, leading to a heated argument. Othello believes Cassio is laughing about his affair with Desdemona, and is determined to kill her. Desdemona arrives with Lodovico, bringing a letter from Venice instructing Othello to leave Cassio in command of Cyprus. Desdemona and Lodovico discuss the disagreement, and Othello becomes angry at Desdemona for defending Cassio. He hits, insults, and yells at her, leaving her shocked. Lodovico questions Othello’s behavior, and Iago suggests that his behavior has become increasingly erratic.
Act 4, scene 2
Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona, who defends her honesty and chasteness. He questions Desdemona herself, but doesn’t directly ask about Cassio or the handkerchief. Desdemona asks Iago for help, but Iago dismisses her as a fool. He sends the women away with the promise of all things being well. Roderigo arrives angry that Iago’s promises to help him win Desdemona have failed. Iago convinces Roderigo to remove Cassio by “knocking out his brains” to stop Othello and Desdemona from Cyprus.
Act 4, scene 3
Emilia helps Desdemona prepare for bed and expresses her concern about Othello’s behavior. Desdemona remains loyal to him but cannot shake off a song she heard from her mother’s maid, Barbary, who died singing it. Desdemona believes that no woman would be unfaithful to her husband and blames men for not understanding women’s feelings. She believes it is their husbands’ faults if wives fall.
Act 5, scene 1
On a dark night, Iago leads Roderigo to find Cassio, confessing that every way makes his gain. Cassio stabs Roderigo, and Iago kills him. Othello hears Cassio’s yelling and believes Iago killed him. Lodovico and Gratiano hear the yelling and decide to fetch help. Iago pretends to be horrified at Cassio’s injury and secretly kills Roderigo. Bianca enters distraught at Cassio’s injuries and Iago insinuates she was responsible. Emilia enters and Iago tells Othello and Desdemona what has happened.
Act 5, scene 2
Desdemona is asleep on her bed when Othello tells her to die to avoid betrayal. He kisses her and urges her to confess that she gave the handkerchief to Cassio. Desdemona refuses, but Othello suffocates her. Emilia calls him and tells him that Cassio killed Roderigo and that Cassio lives. Emilia is shocked by Othello’s involvement and yells for help. Montano, Gratiano, and Iago rush in, confronting Iago about Desdemona’s unfaithfulness with Cassio. Emilia confronts Iago, who admits to having seen his handkerchief in Cassio’s hand. Othello realizes the truth and stabs Emilia, while Montano runs after him. Lodovico, Montano, and Cassio come in with Iago as a prisoner. Othello asks Iago why he ensnared his soul and body, but Iago refuses to speak. Lodovico tells Othello that his power and command are taken off, and Cassio rules in Cyprus. Othello asks about Cassio’s love and wealth, and he stabs himself, kisses Desdemona, and dies.
