Othello by William Shakespeare Summarization of the Plot, the Characters, and Major Themes/Symbols/Motifs
What to expect while reading
General Summary The play is about love, betrayal, manipulation, and murder. Iago, one of Shakespeare s GREATEST villains manipulates a general of the Venetian army to believe his new wife is cheating on him. He goes mad, and eventually several men die due to Iago s lies and deceit!
*Major plot events only! *Use for clarification Purposes only!
Act I Summary The play starts with an argument between Iago and Roderigo Roderigo is rich and is paying Iago to win Desdemona s heart; but he has just learned that she married Othello (whom Iago works for) Iago tells Roderigo that he HATES Othello he was overlooked for a promotion to lieutenant (Michael Cassio was given the post, despite Iago s service in battle) Iago claims to only PRETEND to serve Othello and then recommends that Roderigo ruins Othello s marriage by turning Desdemona s family against him
Act I Summary At this suggestion, they go to Brabanzio s house (Desdemona s father, AND a Venetian senator) and cries out that he has been robbed by thieves Brabanzio does not listen and tells Roderigo to stay away from his daughter; Iago becomes vulgar and reveals that Othello and Desdemona are having sex (it s at this information that Brabanzio seeks out his daughter)
Act I Summary Iago leaves, successful at making trouble, with the intention of finding Othello. Roderigo waits for Brabanzio who comes out of his house, furious that his daughter is not home. Roderigo follows Brabanzio to find his daughter. Othello, Roderigo, and Brabanzio does not know that Iago is causing trouble.
Act I Summary Iago finds Othello to warn him that Brabanzio will force a divorce between Othello and Desdemona; at this news, Othello finds Venetian court officers at his house They bring him news that he is wanted by the Duke of Venice in a matter concerned Cyprus (Island in the Mediterranean Sea controlled by Venice).
Act I Summary Brabanzio and Roderigo come in and order Othello to be subdued. At this, men fight (half on Brabanzio s side, the others fighting on behalf of Othello). Brabanzio halts and decides to take his case to the Duke himself, as Othello was already headed there anyways.
Act I Summary The duke s meeting It s all about Cyprus and the Turkish army. Another island is being invaded: Rhodes. But it s all a rouse on the part of the Turkish army.
Act I Summary The entrance of Brabanzio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo causes state issues to be put to the side Othello is accused of using witchcraft to seduce and lure Desdemona The Duke is interested in this claim, and is eager to join Brabanzio s side Othello is given a chance to talk: admits to marrying Desdemona, BUT did not using magic; he swears that during his time at Brabanzio s house he would reveal his life story and Desdemona was moved to loving him from his story
Act I Summary Othello = CLEARED; the Duke says that Othello s story would probably win his own daughter s heart Desdemona = Finally enters the play She is asked who she owes the most allegiance, she says it is to her husband Othello (this is problematic, her father expected her to say his name but she argues that like her mother married, she did so of free will and now must shift her loyalty from father to husband); Brabanzio steps aside to allow the court to return to state affairs
Act I Summary Othello is told he must go defend Cyprus from the Turkish army; Othello asks for his wife to be properly provided for (her father refuses to help and so the Duke sends her with Othello) Everyone leaves BUT Roderigo and Othello Roderigo feels defeated, never to be with Desdemona Iago tells him that everything will work out in the end
Act I Summary After Roderigo leaves Iago reveals more about his own character He has suspicion that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia His plan is to take Roderigo s money, convince Othello that Cassio slept with Desdemona, and then use Othello s honest and unsuspecting nature to bring about his sudden death
*Major plot events only! *Use for clarification Purposes only!
Act II Summary The war in Cyprus is no longer going to be as bad as it first seemed the Turkish army has been tossed around due to the storms around the island A new ship is on the way, it is carrying Iago, Emilia, Desdemona, and Roderigo The conversation between these four being playful and friendly; Cassio & Desdemona tease Emilia for talking too much while Iago says that women should always be criticized for always lying, being lazy, and generally despicable Desdemona plays along, laughing at Iago s attack on women
Act II Summary Cassio takes Desdemona away by holding her hand to speak about Othello Iago notices this swears to use this information in his plot to frame Cassio and Desdemona in their supposed affair Othello arrives: He greets his wife Thanks the Cypriots for their hospitality Orders Iago to unload the ship
Act II Summary During this time, Roderigo and Iago stay behind... Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona will tire of Othello, she wants a well-mannered and handsome man She ll choose Cassio after Othello (the knave ) Roderigo argues for Cassio he was polite when he took her hand but Iago manipulates him and makes him believe that Cassio has ill intentions. Roderigo swears to start a fight against Cassio; his goal? Make Cassio fall out of graces with Othello and he can stay away from Desdemona.
Act II Summary Iago is left alone... Explains that he lusts after Desdemona in large part because he believes Othello slept with Emilia Wife for wife he thinks it s a fair trade for the pain he has suffered Continues to explain that if he cannot sleep with Desdemona, he will torture Othello to madness using Roderigo s accusation of Cassio (he ll make him believe SHE cheated on HIM)
Act II Summary A celebration occurs: Cassio remains on guard Othello and Desdemona celebrate their marriage Iago claims Desdemona is a temptress seducing men for fun; Cassio fights for her modesty! Cassio then indulges in drinking and leaves the scene
Act II Summary Iago then tells US his plan: Phase 1: Roderigo and three other Cypriots (all drunk) will join Iago and Cassio on duty Phase 2: Everyone will coerce Cassio to do something that will disgrace him Phase 3: Iago will tell everyone that Cassio has too much power for someone with a drinking problem Phase 4: Roderigo will start a fight with Cassio Cassio, in his drunk state, will miss his intended target Phase 5: They will report to Othello of his second in commands actions
Act II Summary Othello demands the truth in which Iago tells him, but in such a way is softer than the truth. He doesn t use names directly and he seems to be protecting a friend; Othello falls for it saying that he was doing what a good friend would do to protect his friend; Cassio is dismissed from service A short while later... Desdemona is awakened by the commotion Othello fills her in and says he is taking care of his friend Cassio is upset about his actions, Iago has a plan for him: APPEAL TO DESDEMONA! She can encourage Othello to rethink his previous decision!
Act II Summary Iago, left alone, explains materials to the audience: Does the most evil when he is most evil: he will benefit himself by aiding a friend. If Cassio spends a lot of time with Desdemona, the lie of her cheating on Othello will seem more true! He ll also use his own wife to make this lie seem more believable Roderigo comes in to end the Act... Upset and penniless Has nothing to show for his actions Iago reminds him to be patient
*Major plot events only! *Use for clarification Purposes only!
Act III Summary Cassio tries to win back the favor of Othello: he sends him musicians which Othello turns away Cassio begs the servant to ask Emilia to come talk to him it s so he can get near Desdemona Iago comes into the scene He ll send his wife to Cassio to help him out He ll even distract Othello to make sure she s not distracted!
Act III Summary Emilia enters She tells him that Othello and Desdemona have already been discussing his case with Desdemona on his side! Othello is wary to ensure political popularity, but he still cares for his friend and wants to help She will find a way for Desdemona and him to talk privately
Act III Summary The plot thickens Othello and Iago are walking together Iago has to deliver letters on Othello s behalf Desdemona, Cassio and Emilia enter the scene mid-conversation She s vowed to help Cassio Right as the three see the other two, Cassio scampers off Othello is curious as to why, while Iago lays the groundwork for his lie: Cassio is behaving like a guilty man when Othello comes near, why?
Act III Summary Desdemona and Othello She gets him to agree to talk to Cassio, but he won t give her more information on a meeting time or a promise to reinstate him as lieutenant She leaves, upset that he is so reluctant to talk to her: HIS WIFE
Act III Summary Iago and Othello: Iago starts to insinuate an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Evidence? He was their messenger during their courtship He is acting guilty and refusing to even SEE Othello Othello asks if Iago believes Cassio to be honest instead, Iago refuses to answer His refusal makes Othello suspicious of his wife cheating on him, lying and betraying him Othello screams in frustration, demands Iago and his wife to watch his wife whenever Cassio is near Iago suggests that Othello leave the matter alone but it s already planted and will spurn hate
Act III Summary Othello, by himself: He thinks Desdemona no longer loves him (he s too old, his race, his lack of manners) Desdemona and Emilia enter to try and get Othello to come to dinner, he doesn t because of a bad headache Desdemona tries to give him a handkerchief to make it better, it doesn t fit around his head and falls to the floor where it stays while the two exit Emilia TAKES THE HANDKERCHIEF: her husband has told her forever to steal it; Iago is beyond pleased that she has finally managed to do this tiny feat! Iago s plots to plant the handkerchief in Cassio s room
Act III Summary Othello enters: Full of rage soul is tormented because he is suspecting his wife without any proof He wants visual evidence that Desdemona is cheating on him Iago says that he can t VISUALLY prove anything BUT he can provide circumstantial evidence! He says that while Cassio was sleeping, he overheard him saying Desdemona s name in his sleep. He also says that he caught Cassio wiping his face with her handkerchief (the handkerchief IS important: it was Othello s first gift to Desdemona)
Act III Summary Othello is ENRAGED and will take vengeance on his wife and Cassio Iago vows to help him get his revenge and in turn, Othello promotes Iago to lieutenant Desdemona Sends a message to Cassio that she has done all she can Wonders where her handkerchief has gone
Act III Summary Othello enters, is angry and very easy to upset; asks to hold her hand it s sweaty which he chastises her for At that time, it meant promiscuity and adultery He then asks for his handkerchief, which she cannot produce He tells her the story behind it: an Egyptian sorceress gave it to his mother to make her desirable and to keep her husband loyal. If lost of given away, the power would fade and her husband would leave. His mother gave it to him on his deathbed to give it to the woman he desired to marry to keep the magic alive. Desdemona is nervous she has the handkerchief, just not with her. He becomes angry and keeps demanding to see the handkerchief. She tries to change the subject to Cassio. He leaves after he can t control himself any longer.
Act III Summary Othello leaves, Cassio and Iago enter Cassio pleads Desdemona for help she can t, he is in a bad mood Iago swears to make him stop being angry Emilia thinks he is jealous Desdemona believes he is upset due to some political misfortune and as such, she will find him and talk to him about Cassio regardless of his attitude (she leaves to find him)
Act III Summary Bianca enters (her character is a prostitute) She is angry at Cassio for not seeing her more frequently He asks her if she can copy an embroidery on a handkerchief he found in his room onto another handkerchief She s upset about receiving a copy of another woman s gift, but still agrees they plan to meet later
*Major plot events only! *Use for clarification Purposes only!
Act IV Summary Iago and Othello enter the Act talking... Iago claims that the handkerchief is Desdemona s to do as she pleases; further, he can t be angry at his wife is he can t really prove that she has cheated on him sexually This makes Othello MORE angry he focuses on the handkerchief and on more information regarding Cassio Iago keeps avoiding the subject, finally saying that Cassio has bragged that he slept with Desdemona (a lie) Othello is in a trance
Act IV Summary Cassio enters... Iago claims Othello is having fits of epilepsy, warning Cassio to stay out of the way and that he will talk to him on behalf of Cassio Cassio leaves Othello wakes up, and Iago informs him that Cassio came by but will stage a discussion so Othello can hear the truth STRAIGHT FROM CASSIO. Othello is to hide and listen to their conversation and watch his face.
Act IV Summary The conversation... Truth versus Reality Othello thinks this conversation will be about Cassio s relationship with Desdemona: details regarding where, when, and how often he has slept with Desdemona In reality, he will have Cassio discuss Bianca. Iago knows that Cassio will laugh as he tells the story of how she desires him. This will cause Othello to go mad.
Act IV Summary The plan works: Cassio laughs outrageously as he tells Iago of Bianca s love for him this is making Othello outrageously mad At this same moment, Bianca enters with a handkerchief She s angry that he gave her a love token of another woman
Act IV Summary Everyone leaves the scene, Othello comes out and wonders HOW to kill his former friend/lieutenant; worse yet? How to kill his wife. Othello suggests poison, but Iago says that it is MORE APPROPRIATE to kill the adulterer in her bed He also tells Othello that he will help arrange to murder Cassio
Act IV Summary Desdemona enters with Lodovico (a messenger from Venice) Lodovico wants to know about Cassio Othello is angry, so Desdemona answers for him (making Othello MUCH angrier) Othello is also called back to Venice, with orders to leave Cassio in charge as his replacement Desdemona is pleased to know they are going back, but Othello loses all control and strikes her Lodovico is shocked by the loss of self-control, asks to have Desdemona called back for an apology; Othello DOES call her back but only to accuse her of being an adulteress Lodovico asks if Othello has gone mad, but Iago says that he must find out for himself
Act IV Summary Othello interrogates Emilia Emilia swears Desdemona has done nothing suspicious he demands she bring him to him Desdemona enters he says that she is unfaithful; Desdemona swears otherwise and Othello refuses to accept her apology Desdemona seeks out Iago: Why is Othello treating me so badly? Emilia thinks that Othello has been deceived by the same person who led Iago to believe she cheated on him with Othello (she actually reveals that she has NEVER cheated on Iago... he has been mislead this whole time!)
Act IV Summary Roderigo enters, angry as well: He is mad that Desdemona does not love him, he also wants the jewels that Iago gave her (that s where all his money supposedly went) this is another lie on the part of Iago, but the first that we hear of it Iago continues to lie: He says that Othello is being sent to Mauritania, Africa and is taking Desdemona with him The only way to save his true love? Kill Cassio.
Act IV Summary Desdemona s scene... She tells Emilia that if she dies before her, she wants Emilia to wrap her body in her wedding sheets (shows awareness) As they prepare for bed, Desdemona sings a song named Willow (the song is about a woman whose love forsook her) she says the song makes her think of adultery, then proceeds to ask Emilia if she could cheat of her husband Emilia says she could NEVER for all the jewels or rich clothes Emilia also explains that women have the ability to cheat the same that men do. She swears that men who cheat on their wives only have themselves to blame if their wives decide to cheat on them too. Desdemona s response? Bad deeds should be replied to with GOOD deeds rather than bad deeds to try and make a bad situation GOOD.
*Major plot events only! *Use for clarification Purposes only!
Act V Summary Iago and Roderigo wait for Cassio outside the brothel that Bianca works at Cassio vs. Roderigo Iago provides the rapier (it s a sword) and a place to attack Iago withdraws himself, but stays in a place should Roderigo need assistance Cassio comes into the scene and Roderigo stabs him, failing to pierce through his armor Cassio on the other hand, stabs and wounds Roderigo Iago comes into the fight, stabs Cassio on the leg
Act V Summary Othello doesn t come into the scene, but hears of Cassio s cry of being attacked: this leads him to believe that Iago has killed him and has now inspired him to complete his vengeance Translation: Othello will now kill Desdemona
Act V Summary Lodovico and Graziano enter, they hear Cassio and Roderigo s cries but can t see anything as it is so dark Iago also enters the scene to discover Cassio and Roderigo Iago pretends to discover Cassio first Then stumbles across Roderigo and stabs him, killing him It s his way of avenging Cassio s assailant The three men finally come face to face and try to discover the truth of the situation
Act V Summary The questioning Iago suggests Roderigo is to blame but Cassio does not know him. Why would he randomly attack? Emilia enters and finds out what has happened and is to report to Othello & Desdemona what has happened Iago remarks once he is all alone that tonight his plan will pay off, or will be undone
Act V Summary Othello and Desdemona s final scene: He says prepare to die she wants to know why he would kill her He tells her of her unfaithfulness with Cassio, the proof with her handkerchief She denies it, and he refuses to believe her he claims that Cassio has confessed but is also dead after having been killed by Iago (she weeps at his death, causing him to become overwrought with anger) He smothers her, and thinking she is in pain chokes her again.
Act V Summary Emilia s entrance: She reports that Roderigo is dead but that Cassio is alive he is alarmed by this Desdemona cries out that she is murdered, but that she was not murdered but that she killed herself Othello admits to Emilia that he killed his wife because Iago proved her adultery, and instead of staying quiet, Emilia calls out for help
Act V Summary Mantano, Graziano and Iago come into the scene: Iago s lies come out and this causes Othello to cry We learn that Brabanzio is dead (the first the audience has heard of this) as he would have been so upset to see his daughter like this Othello swears up and down regarding the handkerchief, when finally Emilia admits that she stole it Iago has to silence her to save himself now
Act V Summary The truth is known: Othello charges at Iago to kill him, in the process Iago does stab his wife In her dying moments: Emilia reveals that Desdemona was chaste and honest to Othello, she loved him, and then dies singing Willow
Act V Summary Upon the return of the others: Othello is armed and mourning his wife Iago is now held prisoner Othello stabs him, but Iago does not die Othello finds out the truth from a letter Roderigo had, and then Cassio explains that he found the handkerchief in his room Othello is at a loss for his actions
Act V Summary The men tell Othello they will take him from here, strip him of his power and then be put on trial Othello asks several questions, and reminds them of his good deeds, then stabs himself to die next to his wife Lodovico names Graziano Othello s heir, and tells Iago to take a look at his lies and devious actions Montano is told to execute Iago
*The key players, key actions!
Major Characters Othello: Christian moor (a Latin term to suggest a person came from Mauretania, Africa; used here in Shakespearean context was a reference to dark skinned persons); general of the armies of Venice. He is smart and physically powerful, respected by many despite his race. Married to Desdemona, victim of Iago s lies. His worst qualities: gullible, insecure mostly due to his race Desdemona: daughter of Brabanzio (a Venetian senator); secretly marries Othello before the play begins. She is the source of envy for Iago. Is faithful to her husband, but is suspected of having an affair with Othello s lieutenant
Major Characters Iago: The villain of the play; also a soldier of Othello s. Is passed over for a promotion, and suddenly is out to destroy Othello in a very unclear sort of way with his reasons changing throughout the play. He obsesses over the manipulation and destruction of Othello. Michael Cassio: Othello s lieutenant; a young and inexperienced soldier. Resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello. Is used as a ploy of Iago s scheme to make Othello believe Desdemona is in an adulterous relationship with him.
Major Characters Emilia: Iago s wife and Desdemona s attendant she is deeply attached to Desdemona and while she loves her husband, she is not fully trusting of his methods Roderigo: Jealous suitor of Desdemona. Young and incredibly rich easily manipulated by Iago. He will try to kill Cassio as he feels he is more of a rival for Desdemona s affections than her actual husband is.
Minor Characters Bianca: a courtesan (prostitute) in Cyprus; is seen as a lover of Cassio Brabanzio: Venetian senator and father of Desdemona; is betrayed when he daughter marries behind his back Duke of Venice: Official authority of Venice Montano: governor of Cyprus Lodovico: Brabanzio s family; messenger between Venice and Cyprus Graziano: Brabanzio s family; comes with Lodovico for company on his messaging trips Clown: Othello s servant
*The major universal lessons of this play
Major Themes/Symbols/Motifs The Danger of Isolation Sight and Blindness Animals Handkerchief Willow