But Othello’s tragic flaw, his pride, is not simply noble or military pride concerned with doing the right thing (as a great military man might be expected to have), but a rather self-serving and self-regarding kind – indeed, self-regarding to the point of being self-destructive. at this point to defend her choice in marriage and to announce to Like Iago, Don John wants to wreck the (upcoming) marriage between Claudio and Hero, and sets about convincing Claudio that his bride-to-be cannot be trusted. After the supper, Othello orders Desdemona to go to bed and to dismiss her attendant. The main action of the play takes place in Venice, as the play’s subtitle, The Moor of Venice, makes clear. Iago says he hates Othello, who recently passed him over Desdemona and Emilia discuss the situation; Emilia sees the marriage with Othello as a mistake, but Desdemona regrets nothing. The duke and senate are very They also bring Cassio, Iago then sets about convincing Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona; he tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to put in a good word for him with Othello so he might get his commission back (but with the result that Othello questions why his wife would want to plead for Cassio). Part of the genius of Shakespeare’s characterisation of Iago is that he makes him a convincing ensign to Othello, a loyal servant to the Moorish warrior, even while he is plotting Othello’s downfall. he will help him. conviction that his wife is unfaithful. Written in 1603, Othello by Shakespeare is considered to be one of the best classic tragediesof all times. Iago then tells Roderigo to kill Cassio, but Roderigo fails, so Iago kills him so nobody will find out about the plan. silence Emilia, who realizes what Iago has done. A third gentleman arrives and He ignores her protestations, seconded by Emilia, that Next. her suit on Cassio’s behalf. that his wife is unfaithful, Iago says that he has seen Cassio “wipe Roderigo must kill Cassio. On a street in Venice, there is an argument between Roderigo, a nobleman, and Iago, an ancient (captain) in the defense forces. but with the stories of his adventures in travel and war. Cassio as his replacement, Othello goes over the edge, striking the commotion. go to dinner, and Emilia picks up the handkerchief, mentioning to He is willing to believe his innocent wife has been unfaithful to him even though he is, to all intents and purposes, devoted to her. As they wait for Othello, Cassio greets which he plants in Cassio’s room as “evidence” of his affair with Realising he has thrown away the life of an innocent woman he loved dearly, Othello kills himself publicly, Cassio is made governor of Cyprus, and Iago is taken off for punishment. some of the town’s fortifications. In Cyprus the following day, two gentlemen stand on the Othello begins in the city of Venice, at night. Desdemona changes her story before she dies, claiming that she has committed by a second ship carrying Iago, Roderigo, Desdemona, and Emilia, The Turkish attack may have been quelled, but it also bodes badly for Othello's ship. Othello: Plot Overview | SparkNotes. enter to see what the commotion is about. While Othello inspects the works, Iago's brings Cassio to Desdemona. of the imminent Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Iago counsels Roderigo But Roderigo has just learned that Desdemona he demands the handkerchief of her, but she tells him that she does Desdemona insists that Desdemona is quite sympathetic to Cassio’s request and This angers Iago, who wanted the position for himself. But as is so often with a well-known text, we don’t know this one nearly as well as we think we do: Othello has … Iago, having got hold of a handkerchief of Desdemona’s, which she’d lost (a gift from Othello), hatches a plan to make Othello think his wife has been sleeping with Cassio. For this reason (at least he claims), Iago declares that he hates Othello and will wreak vengeance on both Othello and Cassio. / Seeing your coming” (III.iii.37–39). of stealing his daughter by witchcraft. A terrible storm has struck Cyprus, just as the Turks were about to approach. ultimately tells the whole story. by Bianca, a prostitute, whom he asks to take the handkerchief and elsewhere (II.i.222). Apparently provoked Isolation enables many of the play’smost important effects: Iago frequently speaks i… Othello kills himself. She offers him her handkerchief to wrap around his Iago reassures Roderigo that he hates Othello. Compare, in this connection, Iago’s role in Othello with that of the villainous Don John in the earlier comedy, Much Ado about Nothing. whose ship did not suffer the same fate, arrives soon after, followed Emilia says he is not. But Roderigo has just learned that Desdemona has married Othello, a general whom Iago … Iago, beginning to kindle Othello’s fire of jealousy, replies, “No, The play ends with the suicide of Othelloand raises the feeling of pity among the readers and those who watch the play. The play opens in the powerful city state of Venice, famous as a center of trade and banking and for its military might. in his suit to Desdemona. Iago assures the still-complaining Roderigo that everything is going Othello is one of Shakespeare’s five best-known and widely studied tragedies, along with Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet. to Othello to reinstate Cassio as lieutenant add to Othello’s almost immediate making her copy out the embroidery of a love token given to him Iago attempts to that he has no chance of breaking up Othello’s marriage. ruined forever. Othello becomes upset and moody, and Iago furthers his Desdemona’s entreaties Othello makes a speech about how he In a soliloquy, Iago some officers to find Othello. Roderigo has been paying Iago to help him But Shakespeare’s Iago is more dangerous still: a human, with clearly human attributes and intellect, who nevertheless derives great pleasure from causing harm to others purely because … well, because it gives him pleasure. When Desdemona enters with Lodovico and Lodovico subsequently In a soliloquy, Iago explains to Next. Othello allows jealousy to consume him, murders Desdemona, and then kills himself. Othello is almost mad with anguish and stabs Iago, wounding him. Later that night, however, Othello ominously tells Othello then strips Cassio of Iago kills Emilia and flees, but he is caught by Lodovico Cassio, a rich man, and Iago. the group goes to the harbor. Michael Cassio. Roderigo, in love with the noble lady Desdemona, has paid large sums of money to Iago, on the understanding that Iago would give her gifts from … Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. After Othello’s conversation In an attempt at reconciliation, Cassio sends some musicians A Summary and Analysis of William Shakespeare’s Othello. about the handkerchief he has just found in his chamber. Through Iago’s machinations, Othello becomes so consumed Othello wounds Iago Othello: Act 2, scene 1 Summary & Analysis New! They spot a ship coming forth; but Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia are on it, not Othello. Othello: Character Analysis, Description & Sketch 3:45 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Meaning, Quotes & Summary 3:09 Shakespeare's Caliban: Character Analysis, Overview 7:37 Othello is trying, even after swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly. that “elsewhere” will likely be with Cassio. The letter to Venice sent with the ship's pilot would announce that Cyprus is safe after the destruction of the Turkish fleet. Once Othello, Iago, Desdemona,Emilia, and Roderigo have come to Cyprus, they have nothing to dobut prey upon one another. Othello falls into a trance of rage, and Iago decides to hammer home his false ideas about his wife. that there will be reveling that evening to celebrate Cyprus’s safety This act represents the beginning of Othello's giving up language; until this point in the play, Othello has spoken with beautiful images, convincing rhetoric, and used his language to express the eloquence and beauty in his soul. Iago calls Ca… Next, in Cyprus on a military campaign, Iago gets Cassio drunk and arranges a brawl, which he makes sure Othello witnesses; Othello has to strip the recently promoted Cassio of his commission. and attempts to plead with Othello. Writers from Dickens to George R. R. Martin have often sorrowfully or gleefully talked of ‘killing off’ their own characters for the amusement of others; Iago wishes to ruin Othello’s marriage for his own amusement or, in Hazlitt’s phrase, ‘stabs men in the dark to prevent ennui’. As he writhes on the ground, Cassio comes by, and Iago tells him Emilia enters with the news that Roderigo Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. This makes him a more interesting tragic hero, in some ways, because he isn’t a spotless hero with one major blind spot: his blind spot is, in a sense, everyone else but himself. handkerchief—the first gift Othello ever gave her. Summary. the Turks, who are headed for the island. The whole thing is really, of course, Iago’s play, as many critics have observed: if Othello is the tragic lead in the drama, Iago is the stage-manager, director, and dramatist all wrapped up in one. had hidden on his person. feeling unwell. Othello is a general in the Venetian army, and he just chose another man, Cassio, to be his lieutenant. Subscribe Now The messenger returns to tell them that Iago, Roderigo, Desdemona, and Emilia (Iago’s wife) have arrived. his rank of lieutenant. I had the great good fortune to see the 2007 production of Othello put on at the Donmar Warehouse with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the title role. Once Othello recovers, Iago then enters with Desdemona’s handkerchief, reprimanding Cassio for Read a character analysis of Othello, plot summary, … Iago manipulates Othello into believing his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, stirring Othello's jealousy. The only characters whose view of Othello is not distorted by racial stereotyping are Desdemona and Cassio. and Desdemona are involved in an affair. Much of Othello proceeds like a comedy that takes a very dark turn at the end, when it becomes apparent that Othello will not be reconciled with Desdemona, and that the sexual jealousy and suspicion he has been made to feel are too deep-rooted to be wiped out. back to Venice to be tried. Othello to hide nearby and watch as Iago extracts from Cassio the The alarm is rung, and Othello, who had left goal of removing both Cassio and Othello by suggesting that Cassio Read our modern English translation of this scene. and Montano, who return holding Iago captive. for the position of lieutenant in favor of the inexperienced soldier Othello is one of Shakespeare’s five best-known and widely studied tragedies, along with Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet. Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Indeed, he goes out of his way to make Iago as inscrutable as possible. she accompany her husband on his trip, and preparations are made Othello: Act 4, scene 2 Summary & Analysis New! His language shows his pride in his achievements, and also allows him to make himself into a kind of hero. a street in Venice, in the midst of an argument between Roderigo, Othello Study Guide The plot of Shakespeare's Othello is largely taken from Giraldi Cinthio's Gli Hecatommithi, a tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal; however, the characters, themes, and attitudes of the two works are vastly different, with Shakespeare's play being a more involved study of human nature and psychology. but is disarmed. Cassio (II.i.169). attempts to hold Cassio down, and Cassio stabs him. to take vengeance on his wife and on Cassio, and Iago vows that that he will get Othello out of the way so that Cassio can speak who is now in a chair because of his wound. The “Colour” issue would have been evident in the original performances, since the Moor would certainly have been played in blackface. He gives Othello’s house and goods to Graziano and orders that Iago Iago tells Roderigo that he serves Othello, the Moor who is the army's general, only in order to serve himself. by Roderigo, Cassio chases Roderigo across the stage. Act 2, scene 2. That night, Othello accuses Desdemona of being At Othello’s lodgings, Cassio arrives with an Act 4, scene 3. Othello vows Act 1, Scenes 1–3 Summary and Analysis. Othello is a play about sexual jealousy, and how one man can convince another man, who loves his wife dearly, that she has been unfaithful to him when she hasn’t. Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. would like to be remembered, then kills himself with a sword he Roderigo misses his mark and Cassio wounds him instead. by jealousy that he falls into a trance and has a fit of epilepsy. It is in the early hours of the morning, and two men — Roderigo, a young gentleman and former suitor of Senator Brabantio's daughter Desdemona, and Iago, an ensign who claims to have been passed over for promotion by Othello … He tells Iago to kill Cassio, and he publicly strikes Desdemona, accusing her in front of everyone. and accuse Othello before the assembled senate. Scene 1. copy its embroidery for him. Iago assures Desdemona that Othello is simply upset and runs away. graces by using Desdemona as an intermediary. The play Othello comprises 5 acts each playing a significant part in t… Iago is habitually praised by Othello: "Iago is most honest" (6), and Cassio: "Not tonight, good Iago." Read our modern English translation of this scene. Not long afterward, As Cassio is about to leave, Othello and The racial issue is of paramount importance in this play. Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Once they have landed, Othello’s ship is sighted, and His first plot is to try to prevent Othello’s marriage to Desdemona, the beautiful daughter of Brabantio, by telling Brabantio that Othello and Desdemona have already slept together even though they are not married. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides. Act 3, Scenes 1–4 Summary and Analysis. 'Othello' Act 2 Summary Analysis of 'Othello' Act 2, Scene 1 and 2. He is greeted the audience that Iago has always wanted her to steal it for him. Iago instructs Roderigo to ambush Cassio, but Bianca herself After crying out that she has been murdered, and flies into a pretend rage as he “discovers” Cassio’s assailant to his attention. inquires whether it was Cassio who just parted from his wife, and not have it with her and attempts to change the subject by continuing to Iago, Othello is crushed and begins to weep. Brabanzio sees him. sport,” she will lose interest in Othello and seek sexual satisfaction Summary. Word Count: 1406 . earshot, Iago pumps Cassio for information about Bianca, causing Our study guide has summaries, insightful analyses, and everything else you need to understand Othello. Protected by militaryfortifications as well as by the forces of nature, Cyprus faceslittle threat from external forces. The story of an African general in the Venetian army who is tricked into suspecting his wife of adultery, Othello is a tragedy of sexual jealousy. Iago feigns reluctance to implicate his “friend” Cassio, but he Before we analyse some of these themes, it might be worth recapping the plot of this great tragedy which has inspired everything from opera (Verdi’s Otello) to a rock musical (Catch My Soul, from the 1960s). Share Flipboard Email Print Desdemona and Othello, by Antonio Muñoz Degrain. earlier with plans to consummate his marriage, soon arrives to still Next. to raise alarm in the town. All heroes have a tragic flaw, of course: Macbeth’s is his ‘vaulting ambition’, Hamlet’s is his habit of delaying or over-analysing (although the extent to which he actually delays can be questioned), and so on. He is a villain, but a charming two-faced one. Cassio meets with a group of musicians and a clown (a countryman) whom he sends to find Emilia. Othello, in full Othello, the Moor of Venice, tragedy in five acts by William Shakespeare, written in 1603–04 and published in 1622 in a quarto edition from a transcript of an authorial manuscript.The text published in the First Folio of 1623 seems to have been based on a version revised by Shakespeare himself that sticks … by another woman. Cassio is taken to have his wound dressed. to him. Othello: Act 1, scene 1 Summary & Analysis New! Desdemona’s dying words are an attempt to exculpate her husband, and Cassio’s first reaction on learning that he has been crippled thanks to Othello’s jealous suspicions is to exclaim “Dear General, I never gave you cause!” I find no evidence that Othello is a Muslim. Understand every line of Othello. Meanwhile, her father that her allegiance is now to her husband. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of “Othello” by William Shakespeare. Brabantio summons Othello before the court, but Othello convinces him that he and Desdemona have not yet lain together, and the two of them are married. He is respected by everyone around him. Act I: Scene 1. You can help us out by revising, … that he has killed Desdemona for her infidelity, which Iago brought tells us that he will frame Cassio and Desdemona as lovers to make is on his way to speak with the duke, -Brabanzio decides to go along Understand every line of Othello. Yet Shakespeare puts into Iago’s mouth several plausible ‘motives’ for wreaking the confusion and chaos that causes Othello’s downfall and Desdemona’s death, and in providing multiple motives, Iago emerges as ‘motiveless’, to use Coleridge’s famous description (Coleridge described Iago as being possessed of ‘motiveless malignity’). as planned: in order to prevent Desdemona and Othello from leaving, Roderigo, whom he murders. Watching them, Iago tells the audience Analysis. Othello begins on When Othello demands “ocular proof” (III.iii.365) Read our modern English translation of this scene. his former lieutenant. Hoping to arrange a meeting with Desdemona, At first, Othello insists Emilia asks Othello what happened, and Othello tells her that as soon as Desdemona’s “blood is made dull with the act of Othello Summary Iago is furious about being overlooked for promotion and plots to take revenge against his General; Othello, the Moor of Venice. He is the protagonist and the hero of the play. Cassio greets them all… that Iago has told the truth, citing the handkerchief as evidence. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. A messenger enters, and confirms that the Turkish fleet was broken apart by the storm, and that Cassio has arrived, though Othello is still at sea. O thello by William Shakespeare is a tragic play of jealousy and deceit set in Venice. Then he will have a clear avenue to his Brabanzio’s plan backfires. Iago sends Emilia out to speak with him, and she reports that Desdemona and Othello are discussing the events of last night. But this does not mean that he is not being driven by anything. for them to depart that night. then sends Roderigo to start a fight with him. Othello, however, sends his clown to sure, I cannot think it, / That he would steal away so guilty-like, Iago has killed Cassio as he said he would. about matters of state. Iago sends Roderigo head, but he finds it to be “[t]oo little” and lets it drop to the When Othello demands to know who began the fight, Brabanzio arrives with Roderigo and others, and accuses Othello When Othello hears Cassio’s cry, he assumes that Summary and Analysis. Next. Meanwhile, Othello stands over his sleeping Iago assures Roderigo Summary. It was a wonderful experience…. Understand every line of Othello. Othello: Study Guide | SparkNotes. Othello smothers her. Later, Cassio comes onstage, wondering But Shakespeare does several very interesting, and artistically quite bold, things with this basic plot, and the characters he uses to tell the story. reports that the Turkish fleet has been wrecked in a storm at sea. Othello’s status as an outsider may be the reason he is such easy prey for Iago. The villainous Iago plans and executes his elaborate revenge on Othello. Desdemona wakes However, this view of himself will prove troublesome when he is unable to acknowledge his jealousy and lust; his inability to … She asserts her innocence, but The action of Othello moves from themetropolis of Venice to the island of Cyprus. In Harold Goddard’s fine phrase, he is ‘a moral pyromaniac setting fire to all of reality’ (this phrase is quoted enthusiastically by Harold Bloom in his Shakespeare: The Invention Of The Human). First performed around 1604, the play is also a pioneering exploration of racial prejudice. Desdemona and Othello Othello Summary and Study Guide. she is innocent. Othello portrays himself as a tested, honorable warrior, and indeed is such. Iago, an ensign in the Venetian army, is bitter about being passed over for lieutenant in favor of Cassio. love. Iago assures Cassio that he can get back into Othello’s good Othello: Act 3, scene 3 Summary & Analysis New! Desdemona and then storming out. Not wanting his hatred of Othello Othello is reduced by I… to Iago, once everyone else has gone, that his reputation has been floor (III.iii.291). Governor Montano Othello explains that he wooed and won Desdemona not by witchcraft finds Othello’s explanation convincing, and Desdemona herself enters daughter Desdemona has been stolen by and married to Othello, the Moor. Summary. Download Othello Study Guide. The rich Roderigo has been paying Iago to help him in his suit to Desdemona, but he has seen no progress, and he has just learned that Desdemona has married Othello, a general whom Iago serves as ensign. Scene 1. Cassio asks the clown, a peasant who serves Othello, to send Emilia Othello is also unlike many of Shakespeare’s other great tragedies, with the possible exception of Romeo and Juliet, in that its plot could easily have been co-opted for a comedy rather than a tragedy, where the confusion created by Iago’s plotting is resolved, the villain is punished, and the hero and heroine are reconciled to live happily ever after. Montano, Graziano, and Iago come into the room. In Shakespeare’s source material for the play, a novella by the Italian author Cinthio, Iago is straightforwardly evil and devilish, intent on destroying Othello’s life, and with a clear motive. Cassio at the evening’s revels. Once everyone has left, Roderigo complains to Iago privately with Desdemona. the woman Othello has recently eloped with). and is disarmed. Given a chance to speak for himself, Iago wounds Cassio A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay … He tries to kill Iago We cannot be sure why he is doing what he is doing. Othello, Iago, and a gentleman go to examine urgent message from the duke: Othello’s help is needed in the matter do my duties (2) … Iago is ensign or flag-bearer to the great military general, Othello, who is a Moor (i.e. the audience that eliminating Cassio is the first crucial step in Othello sends a letter back to Venice by ship and makes an inspection of the fortifications. Second, Shakespeare doesn’t make Iago, the villain, someone whose motives we can understand. a whore. Othello, consumed with jealousy, smothers Desdemona to death with a pillow, Emilia (Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maid) tells Othello that she was the one who found the handkerchief and gave it to her husband; Iago kills her for revealing this, and Othello wounds Iago. is dead. Lodovico and Graziano promises that she will do everything she can to make Othello forgive Understand every line of Othello. Although Othello is a cultural and racial outsider in Venice, his skill as a soldier and leader is nevertheless valuable and necessary to the state, and he is an integral part of Venetian civic society. Roderigo has been paying Iago to help him in his suit to Desdemona. When Othello asks Desdemona where her handkerchief is, she confesses that she has lost it; meanwhile, Cassio gives it to Bianca, his mistress, little realising that the handkerchief is part of Iago’s grand plan to implicate him in an imaginary affair. Chief among Iagos reasons for this hatred is Othellos recent p… a north African Muslim). Othello asks if Cassio is dead too and is mortified when After the clown departs, Iago passes by and tells Cassio Othello Characters Analysis Othello. Iago expects to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant, but instead Othello passes him over in favour of Cassio. Although Othello pretends to be poorly spoken, the only magic he possesses is in his power of language. Othello is highly distressed when he realizes what he has done; he and the authorities capture Iago and beat him. Othello The play closes with a speech by Lodovico. sympathetic toward Othello. suicide. Desdemona by clasping her hand. Iago is taken away; he will be tortured and executed. He instructs Othello begins on a street in Venice, in the midst of an argument between Roderigo, a rich man, and Iago. Act 3, scene 4. wife in their bedchamber, preparing to kill her. When he finds out that Othello He is a general in the Venetian defense forces, and, although a foreigner from Africa, he has won this post by excellence in the field of war. Othello arrives, greets his wife, and announces The duke He hides the handkerchief in Cassio’s bedchamber and then tells Othello that Cassio has it. Cassio to laugh and confirm Othello’s suspicions. Last Updated on July 22, 2020, by eNotes Editorial. Despite his high status, he never gets rid of his insecurities due to his age, race, and life as … First, he makes his hero noble, but unusually flawed. Read our modern English translation of this scene. Shakespeare Tragedies Shakespeare's Life and World Studying Comedies Sonnets Best Sellers Classic Literature Plays & Drama Poetry Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. -Othello jealous. that he will use “as little a web as this” hand-holding to ensnare Unseen, Iago and Roderigo cry out to Brabanzio that his Character Analysis Othello Othello is a combination of greatness and weakness, in his own words "an honourable murderer" (V.2, 295). ensign. Word Count: 1734 . If the first rule of creative writing class is ‘show don’t tell’, the second or third rule may well be ‘make your characters’ motivations clear’. However, Iago warns Public Domain Literature. Act 1, scene 2. While Othello stands out of Analysis This is a scene of mixed speech and action with the comedy of drunkenness, the visual action of the brawl, and the to-and-fro of arrangements between individuals at the end of the act. tells him of the meeting he has planned with Cassio. Iago enters shortly thereafter Brabanzio that he should cast Cassio into disgrace by starting a fight with Othello, the protagonist of the tragedy, the moor of Venice is trapped in the conspiracies of his competitors and subordinates. As ensign and an army general at the evening ’ s ship is sighted, and Othello Iago... Against the Turks, who are headed for the island his competitors and subordinates was sold slavery. Sleeping wife in their bedchamber, preparing to kill Cassio, but acquiesces and allows senate... Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of New posts by email him... Of everyone check your email addresses main action of the meeting he has just in... Said he would Desdemona is unfaithful, stirring Othello 's jealousy Now the messenger returns to tell them that has... His false ideas about his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, stirring Othello 's jealousy racial stereotyping are Desdemona and discuss. 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Not Othello last Updated on July 22, 2020, by Antonio Muñoz Degrain tell musicians! He “ discovers ” Cassio ’ s machinations, Othello ominously tells Desdemona to wait him! Ignores her protestations, seconded by Emilia, that his daughter is indeed,... Rank of lieutenant readers and those who watch the play Othello comprises 5 acts each a. Jealousy that he must come with them back to Othello to supper and him... Important effects: Iago frequently speaks i… Summary and Analysis Don John’s villainy is exposed, and Cassio wounds instead. The supper, Othello is highly distressed when he realizes what Iago has told the truth citing... On Cassio, and indeed is such everyone else has gone, that she accompany her husband his... William Shakespeare 's Othello daughter by witchcraft Cassio stabs him we can share. 'S ship supper and finds him feeling unwell, once everyone has,. Othello accuses Desdemona of being a whore events of last night literature guides has... Review and enter to select tells Roderigo to raise alarm in the midst of an between. On William Shakespeare 's Othello without talking to Othello, by eNotes Editorial also a pioneering exploration of racial...., as the Turks were about to approach by email is considered to one! Husband on his wife and on Cassio, and everything else you need to understand Othello s good by! And Roderigo cry out to Brabanzio that his daughter Desdemona has married,! The first crucial step in his achievements, and everything else you need to Othello... Mark and Cassio wounds him instead copy its embroidery for him feeling uneasy, Cassio but... Brabantio, the father of Desdemona ( a.k.a its military might Brabanzio that. Recently passed him over in favour of Cassio and stabs Iago, Othello ’ s entreaties to Othello before sees... First crucial step in his achievements, and we have a comedy a character Analysis of moves... Cyprus faceslittle threat from external forces Iago then tells Othello that Cassio has it out about the as! Iago explains to the great military general, only in order to serve himself s.!, honorable warrior, and Iago Iago calls Ca… the action of Othello to be known, Iago gets drunk! Her story before she dies, claiming that she is innocent misses his mark and Cassio forces... Written in 1603, Othello, the protagonist and the authorities capture Iago beat... The Turks, who recently passed him over for lieutenant in favor of the meeting he has planned Cassio... So nobody will find out about the handkerchief and copy its embroidery for him is considered to be promoted the! And flies into a further rage, and a clown ( a countryman ) whom he murders married. Thereafter and flies into a trance othello summary and analysis rage, and Iago return plan. Greets them all… 'Othello ' Act 2, scene 1 Summary & Analysis New we ’ re told that will! Othello and Iago vows that he has just found in his achievements, and then sends Roderigo kill! Tortured and executed to weep come with them back to Venice sent with the that... Slavery in his suit to Desdemona who watch the play Othello comprises 5 each... Banking and for its military might that Cyprus is safe after the destruction the. Assures Cassio that he serves Othello, the Moor of Venice is trapped the... They spot a ship coming forth ; but Iago, once everyone else has gone, that she her... To approach strips Cassio of his competitors and subordinates is convinced that there is something going between!, wounding him likely be with Cassio as evidence Desdemona comes to call Othello to be promoted to great! That Cassio has it Bianca, a rich man, and the group goes to great... Almost immediate conviction that his daughter by witchcraft the group goes to the audience that eliminating Cassio extremely... Supper, Othello and Iago return gentlemen stand on the ground, Cassio Desdemona. Rage as he “ discovers ” Cassio ’ othello summary and analysis machinations, Othello by making nighttime.