Position:Home>Books & Authors> Who has read Shakespeare's Othello?! ?

First, remember to call it a "play" and not a "book" when you write your summary!.

Othello, a Moor (i!.e!. Black) war hero, falls in love with and marries Desdemona, the white daughter of a prominent man in their town!. Othello's assistant, Iago, who is a guy who has seen lots of action on the battlefield, is ticked that he didn't get promoted by Othello, though Cassio, who hasn't ever set foot on a battlefield, has been promoted!. Iago tells the audience that he has heard that Othello boinked his wife!. He decided to take revenge on everyone!. He gets his wife, Desdemona's maid, to steal a handkerchief from Desdemona, which he then passes along to Cassio!. He manages to plant the seeds of doubt about Desdemona's fidelity in Othello's mind, and he points out Cassio as the likely recipient of her attentions, an idea that seems confirmed by Cassio's posession of the handkerchief!. Iago masterfully cons nearly everyone in this play, including a lovelorn former suitor of Desdemona's who foolishly allows Iago to spend his money- all part of Iago's plot!. In the end, Othello strangles Desdemona, Iago's wife tells him that Iago tricked him, Iago kills his wife, Othello kills himself, and Iago is still alive at the end!. Othello asks him why he did it, and Iago refuses to tell him!. In fact, Iago's motivation is really ambiguous; we're given ideas, but he's so unreliable that we don't know if we can believe what he says!. He lies to *everyone* in the play, and perhaps everyone in the audience, too!.
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Act I:
Othello begins in the city of Venice, at night; Roderigo is having a discussion with Iago, who is bitter as being passed up as Othello's lieutenant in favor of the Venetian gentleman Cassio!. Iago says that he only serves Othello to further himself; he is playing false, and admits that his nature is not at all what it seems!. Iago is aware that Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio, a Venetian nobleman of some stature, has run off with Othello, the black warrior of the Moors!. Brabantio and many others know nothing of this coupling; Iago decides to enlist Roderigo, who lusts after Desdemona, and awaken Brabantio with screams that his daughter is gone!.

Roderigo is the one speaking most to Brabantio, but Iago is there too, hidden, yelling unsavory things about Othello and his intentions toward Desdemona!. Brabantio panics, and calls for people to try and find his daughter; Iago leaves, not wanting anyone to find out that he betrayed his own leader, and Brabantio begins to search for her!.

Iago joins Othello, and tells him about Roderigo's betrayal of the news of his marriage to Brabantio!. Cassio comes at last, as do Roderigo and Brabantio; Brabantio is very angry, swearing that Othello must have bewitched his daughter, and that the state will not decide for him in this case!. Othello says that the Duke must hear him, and decide in his favor, or else all is far from right in Venice!.

Brabantio and Othello address the assembled Venetian leaders, who are discussing this military matter, and Brabantio announces his grievance against Othello for marrying his daughter!. Othello addresses the company, admitting that he did marry Desdemona, but wooed her with stories, and did her no wrongs!. Desdemona comes to speak, and she confirms Othello's words; Brabantio's grievance is denied, and Desdemona will indeed stay with Othello!. However, Othello is called away to Cyprus, to help with the conflict there!. Othello and Desdemona win their appeal to remain together, and Desdemona is to stay with Iago, until she can come to Cyprus and meet Othello there!.

Roderigo is upset that Desdemona and Othello's union was allowed to stand, since he lusts after Desdemona!. But Iago assures him that the match will not last long, and at any time, Desdemona could come rushing to him!. Iago wants to break up the couple, using Roderigo as his pawn, out of malice and his wicked ability to do so!.


Act II:
A terrible storm has struck Cyprus, just as the Turks were about to approach; this bodes badly for Othello's ship!. 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!. They spot a ship coming forth; Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia are on it!. Somehow, Iago and Desdemona enter into an argument about what women are, and Iago shows how little praise he believes women deserve!. Othello arrives at last, and is very glad to see his wife arrived, much earlier than expected!. Iago speaks to Roderigo, convincing him that Desdemona will stray from Othello, as she has already done with Cassio!. He convinces Roderigo to attack Cassio that night, as he plans to visit mischeif on both Othello and Cassio!.

Iago and Cassio are on the watch together; Iago gets Cassio to drink a bit, knowing that he cannot hold his liquor at all!. Iago also tries to make Desdemona seem tempting to Cassio; but Cassio's intentions are innocent and friendly, so this approach fails!. Iago says that he intends to get Cassio drunk, that will hopefully cause a quarrel between Cassio and Roderigo, who has been stirred up against Cassio!. Iago wants to see Cassio discredited through this, so that he might take Cassio's place!. Montano and others come, and Iago entertains them with small talk and song!. Cassio fights offstage with Roderigo, and comes forth, chasing him; Montano tries to hinder Cassio, but Cassio just ends up injuring him!. All the noise wakes Othello, who comes down to figure out what has happened!. Montano tells what he knows of it all, and Iago fills in the rest?making sure to fictionalize his part in it all too!.

Cassio laments that he has lost his reputation along with his rank, which is very dear to him!. Iago tries to convince him that a reputation means little; and, if he talks to Desdemona, maybe he can get her to vouch for him with Othello!. Iago then gives a soliloquy about knowing that Desdemona will speak for Cassio, and that he will be able to turn that against them both!.


Act III:
Iago enters, and Cassio tells him that he means to speak to Desdemona, so that she may clear things up with Othello!. Emilia comes out, and bids Cassio to come in and speak with Desdemona about his tarnished reputation!. Desdemona believes Cassio is a good person, and has been wronged in this case; she pledges to do everything she can to persuade her husband to take Cassio back!. Cassio leaves just as Othello enters because he does not wish for a confrontation!. Iago seizes on tWww@QuestionHome@Com

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