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Othello Play
Othello begins with Iago, a soldier arguing
with Roderigo, a wealthy Venetian who has paid Iago
to spy on Othello, since he wishes to take this man's
girlfriend, Desdemona himself. He suspects Iago has
not been keeping his end of the bargain. Iago reveals
his hatred of Othello for choosing Cassio as his officer,
not him. To regain Roderigo's trust, Iago and Roderigo
inform Brabantio, Desdemona's father of her relationship
with Othello, infuriating Brabantio. Othello explains
how he and Desdemona fell in love, the two marrying.
Othello is ordered to Cypress to fight the Turks. Roderigo
gives up on Desdemona but Iago tells him not to since
he wants to keep taking his money. Iago explains his
plan to avenge Othello by suggesting Cassio is sleeping
with Desdemona. Iago tells Roderigo he still has a chance
with Desdemona but Cassio stands in his way.
Iago informs Othello that Cassio is having an affair
with Desdemona. Iago then tells Roderigo to attack Cassio,
Cassio wounding Roderigo. Cassio is demoted. Iago suggests
Cassio speak with Desdemona. Some time later, Cassio
speaks with Desdemona who resolves to keep putting in
a good word for Cassio until he is an officer again.
Othello complains of a headache to Desdemona, resulting
in her dropping a handkerchief, his first gift to her.
Iago makes sure Cassio finds this. Othello demands proof
of Desdemona's infidelity from Iago. Reluctantly Iago
tells him he saw Cassio wipe his brow with Desdemona's
handkerchief. Convinced, Iago is promoted to lieutenant
and ordered to kill Cassio. Meanwhile, Desdemona worries
about her missing handkerchief, knowing it could make
her husband doubt her fidelity. Sure enough she is asked
for the handkerchief by her suspicious husband but cannot
find it... Iago now suggests Desdemona shared her bed
with Cassio. Iago then talks to Cassio about Cassio's
mistress Bianca, each smile and gesture infuriating
a hidden Othello who thinks Cassio is talking about
sleeping with Desdemona. Bianca then arrives, angrily
giving back Desdemona's handkerchief that Cassio gave
her. Furious, Othello decides to kill Desdemona in her
bed, Iago's idea. We learn Iago has been pocketing Roderigo's
gifts for Desdemona. Fearing Roderigo will learn this,
Iago tells him that Cassio must die...
Desdemona is ordered by her husband to wait for him
in bed... Desdemona, depressed, recalls a song of a
maid who was similarly abused by her husband. Iago tells
Roderigo how to kill Cassio. Roderigo attacks Cassio
but Cassio wounds Roderigo. Iago from behind, stabs
Cassio, wounding him in the leg. Seizing Roderigo, Iago
stabs and wounds him "in revenge" for wounding
his "friend" Cassio. Bianca arrives, Iago
blaming Cassio's injuries on her... Desdemona's jealous
husband arrives, trying to convince himself that he
is killing her for her own good. Desdemona awakens,
asking what wrong she has committed, her husband telling
her that she gave Cassio his handkerchief, meaning he
thinks she had an affair. Desdemona pleads her innocence,
saying Cassio can prove her innocence. Her husband replies
Cassio confessed and is dead, then kills Desdemona.
Emilia reveals Iago has killed Roderigo, Desdemona not
revealing who killed her before dying. Othello tells
Emilia he killed Desdemona, Emilia despite Iago's frantic
attempts to stop her, revealing that she found the hankerchief
and gave it to Iago. Iago stabs Emilia, escaping, Emilia
dying. Iago is captured, Othello stabbing but not killing
him before having his sword removed. Lodovico learns
of the plot against Cassio. Iago proudly confirming
that Cassio found the handkerchief because Iago wanted
him to. Othello, realising what he has done, kills himself,
lying on top of his wife. Cassio is placed in charge
of Iago, Lodovico leaving to discuss this sad matter...
Contents
Dramatis
Personæ
Act I
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act II
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act III
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV
Act IV
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act V
Scene I, Scene
II
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