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William Shakespeare

Othello

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Act 1

3 scenes

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    Scene 1Venice. A street.3 characters10 min read

    Iago tells Roderigo that he resents Othello for promoting Cassio over him and serves Othello only for his own advantage. Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio and tell him that Desdemona has secretly married Othello. Finding Desdemona gone, Brabantio gathers an armed party and follows Roderigo to seek Othello.

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  2. Scene 2Venice. Another street.6 characters6 min read

    Cassio brings an urgent summons from the Duke concerning military affairs in Cyprus. Brabantio confronts Othello with armed followers and accuses him of using spells to win Desdemona. Othello prevents a fight and agrees to answer Brabantio's accusations before the Duke.

  3. Scene 3Venice. A council chamber.12 characters22 min read

    After Othello recounts their courtship, Desdemona confirms that she freely married him and declares her duty to her husband. The Duke sends Othello to defend Cyprus against the Turks and permits Desdemona to accompany him. After persuading Roderigo to follow the expedition with money, Iago devises a plan to suggest that Cassio is Desdemona's lover.

Act 2

3 scenes
  1. Scene 1A seaport in Cyprus. A Platform.11 characters17 min read

    Cassio reaches Cyprus and reports that the storm has wrecked the Turkish fleet, while Othello's whereabouts remain uncertain. Othello arrives safely after Desdemona and joyfully greets her. Iago persuades Roderigo that Desdemona loves Cassio and instructs him to provoke Cassio during the watch.

  2. Scene 2A street.1 character1 min read

    A herald announces public festivities celebrating the destruction of the Turkish fleet and Othello's marriage.

  3. Scene 3A Hall in the Castle.7 characters20 min read

    Despite Cassio's admitted weakness for alcohol, Iago persuades him to drink while on duty. After Roderigo provokes Cassio into a brawl in which Montano is wounded, Othello strips Cassio of his lieutenancy. Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona's help in regaining his post, intending to turn her advocacy into evidence against her.

Act 3

4 scenes
  1. Scene 1Cyprus. Before the Castle.5 characters3 min read

    After Othello's clown dismisses his musicians, Cassio pays the clown to summon Emilia so that he can approach Desdemona. Emilia reports that Desdemona is already pleading his case and agrees to arrange a private conversation.

  2. Scene 2Cyprus. A Room in the Castle.3 characters1 min read

    Othello gives Iago letters to send to the Senate and then leaves to inspect the fortifications.

  3. Scene 3Cyprus. The Garden of the Castle.5 characters26 min read

    After Desdemona pleads for Cassio's reinstatement, Iago turns Othello's attention towards a possible affair between them. Emilia retrieves the handkerchief Desdemona drops and gives it to Iago, who plans to leave it in Cassio's lodging. Accepting Iago's fabricated evidence, Othello demands Cassio's death, resolves to punish Desdemona and appoints Iago lieutenant.

  4. Scene 4Cyprus. Before the Castle.7 characters11 min read

    Othello demands the missing handkerchief and leaves angrily when Desdemona instead presses Cassio's cause. Desdemona tells Cassio that Othello is troubled but promises to keep seeking his reinstatement. Cassio asks Bianca to copy the embroidery of the handkerchief he found in his chamber, provoking her suspicion of another woman.

Act 4

3 scenes
  1. Scene 1Cyprus. Before the Castle.6 characters15 min read

    Iago's claims about Cassio and Desdemona drive Othello into a fit. Othello mistakes Cassio's laughter about Bianca and her return of the handkerchief for proof against Desdemona, then agrees to strangle his wife while Iago undertakes Cassio's murder. After Lodovico delivers orders recalling Othello and appointing Cassio governor, Othello strikes Desdemona in his presence.

  2. Scene 2Cyprus. A Room in the Castle.5 characters13 min read

    Despite Emilia's testimony to Desdemona's innocence, Othello confronts his wife and rejects her denials of infidelity. Desdemona appeals to Iago about Othello's behaviour, while Emilia suspects that a malicious liar has deceived him. When Roderigo demands results or repayment, Iago persuades him that killing Cassio will prevent Othello and Desdemona from leaving Cyprus.

  3. Scene 3Cyprus. Another Room in the Castle.4 characters6 min read

    Othello instructs Desdemona to go to bed and dismiss Emilia before his return. As Emilia prepares her for bed, Desdemona recalls her mother's abandoned maid and sings her song of forsaken love. When Desdemona asks whether wives commit adultery, Emilia argues that husbands' misconduct can teach wives to betray them.

Act 5

2 scenes
  1. Scene 1Cyprus. A Street.8 characters7 min read

    After Roderigo's attack fails and Cassio wounds him, Iago secretly stabs Cassio in the leg and escapes. Returning as though to help, Iago kills the wounded Roderigo before he can expose their plot. Iago treats Bianca's distress over Cassio as suspicious and orders her detention while Emilia goes to report the violence.

  2. Scene 2Cyprus. A Bedchamber in the castle.9 characters20 min read

    Rejecting Desdemona's pleas and protests of innocence, Othello smothers her in their bed. Emilia reveals how she gave Iago the handkerchief, and he fatally stabs her before being captured. After further evidence confirms Iago's plot and Lodovico removes him from command, Othello stabs himself and dies beside Desdemona.