Othello Summary
Iago is furious about being overlooked for promotion and plots to take revenge against his
General; Othello, the Moor of Venice. Iago manipulates Othello into believing his wife
Desdemona is unfaithful, stirring Othello's jealousy. Othello allows jealousy to consume him,
murders Desdemona, and then kills himself.
Act I
Before Othello begins, Roderigo has been pursuing Desdemona, a Venetian noblewoman.
One night, he hears from his soldier friend, Iago, that Desdemona has secretly married his
General, the Moorish Othello. Iago bears a grudge against Othello for overlooking Iago for a
lieutenant position. Instead, Othello chose Michael Cassio, leaving Iago only at the low rank
of ensign. Iago urges Roderigo to continue his pursuit of Desdemona. He knows Senator
Brabantio, Desdemona's father, will dislike having Othello as a son-in-law. So late at night,
Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio and tell him the news of Desdemona. Brabantio angrily
summons the militia to arrest Othello. At that moment, officers arrive to summon Brabantio
to an urgent meeting of the Senate. The Senate is concerned about the imminent threat of a
Turkish invasion fleet on Cyprus. Full of fury, Brabantio goes to the council.
Brabantio interrupts the council, claiming vengeance against Othello. Othello is already there
because he has just been put in command of the forces to repel the Turks. Othello explains
how his stories of military prowess have helped him earn Desdemona's love (good
storytelling is the most important trait in a companion, after all). Afterwards, Desdemona is
called to reinforce the tale and defend her marriage. Following Desdemona's defence, her
father disowns her, and she chooses to go with Othello on his campaign. She plans to travel
in the care of Lieutenant Cassio and with Emilia, Iago's wife.
Act II
In Cyprus, Montano, the governor of Cyprus, and his soldiers greet Cassio, Iago, Desdemona,
and Emilia as they disembark. Othello soon arrives with news that storms at sea have
dispersed the Turkish fleet. A night of celebration is proclaimed. Roderigo confesses doubts
about his potential to woo Desdemona, but Iago assures him that there is hope. He urges
Roderigo to challenge Cassio to a duel that night, since (as Iago claims) Desdemona is
actually falling in love with him. When the night comes, Iago gets Cassio drunk, and
Roderigo incites his anger. Montano, the governor, is stabbed during his attempt to contain
Cassio. Othello is angered by the fight and blames Cassio, stripping him of his recently
conferred officer status.
Act III
The next day, Iago convinces Cassio to ask Desdemona for help in regaining his post. When
Cassio asks, Desdemona innocently agrees. Meanwhile, Iago has sown seeds of jealousy in
Othello’s mind, suggesting that Desdemona is overfond of Cassio. With no reason to suspect
Iago of bad intentions, Othello begins to watch his wife. Othello becomes angry when
Desdemona cannot find the first gift (a handkerchief) he had ever given her. The
handkerchief is embroidered with strawberries and especially important to Othello. But
Desdemona had not lost the handkerchief. Iago had instructed Emilia, his wife, to take it.
Iago then hid the handkerchief where Cassio would find it. When Desdemona urges her
husband to reconsider Cassio’s demotion, Othello gets jealous and suspects her of infidelity.
O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster — Othello, Act 3 Scene 3
Act IV
Iago continues to inflame this jealousy. He encourages Othello to listen in on, and
misinterpret, part of a conversation between Cassio and his mistress, Bianca. Cassio and
Bianca discuss how Cassio obtained the embroidered handkerchief that he then gives to
Bianca to copy. Othello’s agitation at what he hears brings on an epileptic fit. After
recovering, he orders Iago to kill Cassio. Desdemona cannot understand Othello's change of
attitude towards her. Othello even strikes her in the presence of her relative, Lodovico, who
has arrived as an ambassador from Venice. As she prepares for bed, she talks with Emilia,
singing to relieve the distress she feels at losing the trust of her husband.
Act V
Meanwhile, Roderigo has begun to suspect Iago is not quite the friend he seems. Still Iago
persuades him to attack Cassio that night (again, to be able to court Desdemona). In the fight
that ensues, Iago goes undetected and wounds Cassio. He then enters again as himself to
accuse and kill Roderigo for the act of wounding Cassio.
Othello comes to his sleeping wife's bedroom to murder her as punishment for her supposed
adultery. He smothers her with a pillow as she asserts her innocence. Emilia alerts the
household, causing Iago and others to come to the scene. Othello defends himself,
mentioning the handkerchief as evidence. Emilia realises what has happened and betrays
Iago‘s plots against Othello. Iago, reacting to his wife's accusations, stabs and kills her. Iago
is arrested and sent to trial after Othello wounds him (he doesn't even die). Othello, facing the
inevitability of his own trial, uses a hidden weapon to commit suicide. The play ends with
Cassio reinstated and placed in command as Governor of Cyprus.
