1. Othello by William Shakespeare
Summarization of the Plot, the Characters, and Major Themes/Symbols/Motifs

2. General Summary
What to expect while reading…

3. General Summary
The play is about love, betrayal, manipulation, and murder.
Iago, one of Shakespeare’s GREATEST villains manipulates a general of the Venetian army to believe his new wife is cheating on him.
He goes mad, and eventually several men die due to Iago’s lies and deceit!

4. Act I Summary *Major plot events only! *Use for clarification
Purposes only!

5. Act I Summary
The play starts with an argument between Iago and Roderigo
Roderigo is rich and is paying Iago to win Desdemona’s heart; but he has just learned that she married Othello (whom Iago works for)
Iago tells Roderigo that he HATES Othello – he was overlooked for a promotion to lieutenant (Michael Cassio was given the post, despite Iago’s service in battle)
Iago claims to only PRETEND to serve Othello and then recommends that Roderigo ruins Othello’s marriage by turning Desdemona’s family against him

6. Act I Summary
At this suggestion, they go to Brabanzio’s house (Desdemona’s father, AND a Venetian senator) and cries out that he has been robbed by “thieves”
Brabanzio does not listen and tells Roderigo to stay away from his daughter; Iago becomes vulgar and reveals that Othello and Desdemona are having sex (it’s at this information that Brabanzio seeks out his daughter)

7. Act I Summary
Iago leaves, successful at making trouble, with the intention of finding Othello. Roderigo waits for Brabanzio who comes out of his house, furious that his daughter is not home. Roderigo follows Brabanzio to find his daughter.
Othello, Roderigo, and Brabanzio does not know that Iago is causing trouble.

8. Act I Summary
Iago finds Othello to warn him that Brabanzio will force a divorce between Othello and Desdemona; at this news, Othello finds Venetian court officers at his house
They bring him news that he is wanted by the Duke of Venice in a matter concerned Cyprus (Island in the Mediterranean Sea controlled by Venice) .

9. Act I Summary
Brabanzio and Roderigo come in and order Othello to be subdued.
At this, men fight (half on Brabanzio’s side, the others fighting on behalf of Othello).
Brabanzio halts and decides to take his case to the Duke himself, as Othello was already headed there anyways.

10. Act I Summary The duke’s meeting…
It’s all about Cyprus and the Turkish army. Another island is being invaded: Rhodes. But it’s all a rouse on the part of the Turkish army.

11. Act I Summary
The entrance of Brabanzio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo causes state issues to be put to the side…
Othello is accused of using witchcraft to seduce and lure Desdemona
The Duke is interested in this claim, and is eager to join Brabanzio’s side
Othello is given a chance to talk: admits to marrying Desdemona, BUT did not using magic; he swears that during his time at Brabanzio’s house he would reveal his life story and Desdemona was moved to loving him from his story

12. Act I Summary
Othello = CLEARED; the Duke says that Othello’s story would probably win his own daughter’s heart
Desdemona =
Finally enters the play
She is asked who she owes the most allegiance, she says it is to her husband Othello (this is problematic, her father expected her to say his name – but she argues that like her mother married, she did so of free will and now must shift her loyalty from father to husband); Brabanzio steps aside to allow the court to return to state affairs

13. Act I Summary
Othello is told he must go defend Cyprus from the Turkish army; Othello asks for his wife to be properly provided for (her father refuses to help and so the Duke sends her with Othello)
Everyone leaves BUT Roderigo and Othello…
Roderigo feels defeated, never to be with Desdemona
Iago tells him that everything will work out in the end

14. Act I Summary
After Roderigo leaves… Iago reveals more about his own character
He has suspicion that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia
His plan is to take Roderigo’s money, convince Othello that Cassio slept with Desdemona, and then use Othello’s honest and unsuspecting nature to bring about his sudden death

15. Act II Summary *Major plot events only! *Use for clarification
Purposes only!

16. Act II Summary
The war in Cyprus is no longer going to be as bad as it first seemed – the Turkish army has been tossed around due to the storms around the island
A new ship is on the way, it is carrying Iago, Emilia, Desdemona, and Roderigo
The conversation between these four being playful and friendly; Cassio & Desdemona tease Emilia for talking too much while Iago says that women should always be criticized for always lying, being lazy, and generally despicable
Desdemona plays along, laughing at Iago’s attack on women

17. Act II Summary
Cassio takes Desdemona away by holding her hand to speak about Othello
Iago notices this – swears to use this information in his plot to frame Cassio and Desdemona in their “supposed” affair
Othello arrives:
He greets his wife
Thanks the Cypriots for their hospitality
Orders Iago to unload the ship

18. Act II Summary During this time, Roderigo and Iago stay behind...
Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona will tire of Othello, she wants a well-mannered and handsome man
She’ll choose Cassio after Othello (the “knave”)
Roderigo argues for Cassio – he was polite when he took her hand – but Iago manipulates him and makes him believe that Cassio has ill intentions. Roderigo swears to start a fight against Cassio; his goal? Make Cassio fall out of graces with Othello and he can stay away from Desdemona.

19. Act II Summary Iago is left alone...
Explains that he lusts after Desdemona – in large part because he believes Othello slept with Emilia
“Wife for wife” – he thinks it’s a fair trade for the pain he has suffered
Continues to explain that if he cannot sleep with Desdemona, he will torture Othello to madness using Roderigo’s accusation of Cassio (he’ll make him believe SHE cheated on HIM)

20. Act II Summary A celebration occurs: Cassio remains on guard
Othello and Desdemona celebrate their marriage
Iago claims Desdemona is a temptress – seducing men for fun; Cassio fights for her modesty! Cassio then indulges in drinking and leaves the scene

21. Act II Summary Iago then tells US his plan:
Phase 1: Roderigo and three other Cypriots (all drunk) will join Iago and Cassio on duty
Phase 2: Everyone will coerce Cassio to do something that will disgrace him
Phase 3: Iago will tell everyone that Cassio has too much power for someone with a drinking problem
Phase 4: Roderigo will start a fight with Cassio – Cassio, in his drunk state, will miss his intended target
Phase 5: They will report to Othello of his second in commands actions

22. Act II Summary
Othello demands the truth – in which Iago tells him, but in such a way is softer than the truth. He doesn’t use names directly and he seems to be protecting a friend; Othello falls for it – saying that he was doing what a good friend would do to protect his friend; Cassio is dismissed from service
A short while later...
Desdemona is awakened by the commotion – Othello fills her in and says he is taking care of his friend
Cassio is upset about his actions, Iago has a plan for him: APPEAL TO DESDEMONA! She can encourage Othello to rethink his previous decision!

23. Act II Summary Iago, left alone, explains materials to the audience:
Does the most evil when he is most evil: he will benefit himself by aiding a friend.
If Cassio spends a lot of time with Desdemona, the lie of her cheating on Othello will seem more true!
He’ll also use his own wife to make this lie seem more believable
Roderigo comes in to end the Act...
Upset and penniless
Has nothing to show for his actions
Iago reminds him to be patient

24. Act III Summary *Major plot events only! *Use for clarification
Purposes only!

25. Act III Summary
Cassio tries to win back the favor of Othello: he sends him musicians which Othello turns away
Cassio begs the servant to ask Emilia to come talk to him – it’s so he can get near Desdemona
Iago comes into the scene
He’ll send his wife to Cassio to help him out
He’ll even distract Othello to make sure she’s not distracted!

26. Act III Summary Emilia enters…
She tells him that Othello and Desdemona have already been discussing his case – with Desdemona on his side!
Othello is wary to ensure political popularity, but he still cares for his friend and wants to help
She will find a way for Desdemona and him to talk privately

27. Act III Summary The plot thickens…
Othello and Iago are walking together – Iago has to deliver letters on Othello’s behalf
Desdemona, Cassio and Emilia enter the scene mid-conversation
She’s vowed to help Cassio
Right as the three see the other two, Cassio scampers off
Othello is curious as to why, while Iago lays the groundwork for his lie: Cassio is behaving like a guilty man when Othello comes near, why?

28. Act III Summary Desdemona and Othello
She gets him to agree to talk to Cassio, but he won’t give her more information on a meeting time or a promise to reinstate him as lieutenant
She leaves, upset that he is so reluctant to talk to her: HIS WIFE

29. Act III Summary Iago and Othello:
Iago starts to insinuate an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Evidence?
He was their messenger during their courtship
He is acting guilty and refusing to even SEE Othello
Othello asks if Iago believes Cassio to be honest – instead, Iago refuses to answer
His refusal makes Othello suspicious of his wife cheating on him, lying and betraying him
Othello screams in frustration, demands Iago and his wife to watch his wife whenever Cassio is near
Iago suggests that Othello leave the matter alone – but it’s already planted and will spurn hate

30. Act III Summary Othello, by himself:
He thinks Desdemona no longer loves him (he’s too old, his race, his lack of manners)
Desdemona and Emilia enter to try and get Othello to come to dinner, he doesn’t because of a bad headache
Desdemona tries to give him a handkerchief to make it better, it doesn’t fit around his head and falls to the floor where it stays while the two exit
Emilia TAKES THE HANDKERCHIEF: her husband has told her forever to steal it; Iago is beyond pleased that she has finally managed to do this tiny feat!
Iago’s plots to plant the handkerchief in Cassio’s room

31. Act III Summary Othello enters:
Full of rage – soul is “tormented” because he is suspecting his wife without any proof
He wants visual evidence that Desdemona is cheating on him
Iago says that he can’t VISUALLY prove anything… BUT he can provide circumstantial evidence!
He says that while Cassio was sleeping, he overheard him saying Desdemona’s name in his sleep.
He also says that he caught Cassio wiping his face with her handkerchief (the handkerchief IS important: it was Othello’s first gift to Desdemona)

32. Act III Summary
Othello is ENRAGED and will take vengeance on his wife and Cassio
Iago vows to help him get his revenge – and in turn, Othello promotes Iago to lieutenant
Desdemona…
Sends a message to Cassio that she has done all she can
Wonders where her handkerchief has gone

33. Act III Summary
Othello enters, is angry and very easy to upset; asks to hold her hand – it’s sweaty which he chastises her for
At that time, it meant promiscuity and adultery
He then asks for his handkerchief, which she cannot produce
He tells her the story behind it: an Egyptian sorceress gave it to his mother to make her desirable and to keep her husband loyal. If lost of given away, the power would fade and her husband would leave. His mother gave it to him on his deathbed to give it to the woman he desired to marry to keep the magic alive.
Desdemona is nervous – she has the handkerchief, just not with her. He becomes angry and keeps demanding to see the handkerchief. She tries to change the subject to Cassio. He leaves after he can’t control himself any longer.

34. Act III Summary Othello leaves, Cassio and Iago enter…
Cassio pleads Desdemona for help – she can’t, he is in a bad mood
Iago swears to make him stop being angry
Emilia thinks he is jealous
Desdemona believes he is upset due to some political misfortune – and as such, she will find him and talk to him about Cassio regardless of his attitude (she leaves to find him)

35. Act III Summary Bianca enters (her character is a prostitute)
She is angry at Cassio for not seeing her more frequently
He asks her if she can copy an embroidery on a handkerchief he found in his room onto another handkerchief
She’s upset about receiving a copy of another woman’s gift, but still agrees – they plan to meet later

36. Act IV Summary *Major plot events only! *Use for clarification
Purposes only!

37. Act IV Summary Iago and Othello enter the Act talking...
Iago claims that the handkerchief is Desdemona’s to do as she pleases; further, he can’t be angry at his wife is he can’t really prove that she has cheated on him sexually
This makes Othello MORE angry – he focuses on the handkerchief and on more information regarding Cassio
Iago keeps avoiding the subject, finally saying that Cassio has bragged that he slept with Desdemona (a lie)
Othello is in a trance

38. Act IV Summary Cassio enters...
Iago claims Othello is having fits of epilepsy, warning Cassio to stay out of the way and that he will talk to him on behalf of Cassio – Cassio leaves
Othello wakes up, and Iago informs him that Cassio came by but will stage a discussion so Othello can hear the truth STRAIGHT FROM CASSIO. Othello is to hide and listen to their conversation and watch his face.

39. Act IV Summary The conversation... Truth versus Reality
Othello thinks this conversation will be about Cassio’s relationship with Desdemona: details regarding where, when, and how often he has slept with Desdemona
In reality, he will have Cassio discuss Bianca. Iago knows that Cassio will laugh as he tells the story of how she desires him. This will cause Othello to go mad.

40. Act IV Summary The plan works:
Cassio laughs outrageously as he tells Iago of Bianca’s love for him – this is making Othello outrageously mad
At this same moment, Bianca enters with a handkerchief
She’s angry that he gave her a love token of another woman

41. Act IV Summary
Everyone leaves the scene, Othello comes out and wonders HOW to kill his former friend/lieutenant; worse yet? How to kill his wife.
Othello suggests poison, but Iago says that it is MORE APPROPRIATE to kill the adulterer in her bed
He also tells Othello that he will help arrange to murder Cassio

42. Act IV Summary
Desdemona enters with Lodovico (a messenger from Venice)
Lodovico wants to know about Cassio – Othello is angry, so Desdemona answers for him (making Othello MUCH angrier)
Othello is also called back to Venice, with orders to leave Cassio in charge as his replacement
Desdemona is pleased to know they are going back, but Othello loses all control and strikes her
Lodovico is shocked by the loss of self-control, asks to have Desdemona called back for an apology; Othello DOES call her back – but only to accuse her of being an adulteress
Lodovico asks if Othello has gone mad, but Iago says that he must find out for himself

43. Act IV Summary Othello interrogates Emilia
Emilia swears Desdemona has done nothing suspicious – he demands she bring him to him
Desdemona enters – he says that she is unfaithful; Desdemona swears otherwise and Othello refuses to accept her apology
Desdemona seeks out Iago:
Why is Othello treating me so badly?
Emilia thinks that Othello has been deceived by the same person who led Iago to believe she cheated on him with Othello (she actually reveals that she has NEVER cheated on Iago... he has been mislead this whole time!)

44. Act IV Summary Roderigo enters, angry as well:
He is mad that Desdemona does not love him, he also wants the jewels that Iago gave her (that’s where all his money supposedly went) – this is another lie on the part of Iago, but the first that we hear of it
Iago continues to lie:
He says that Othello is being sent to Mauritania, Africa and is taking Desdemona with him
The only way to save his true love? Kill Cassio.

45. Act IV Summary Desdemona’s scene...
She tells Emilia that if she dies before her, she wants Emilia to wrap her body in her wedding sheets (shows awareness)
As they prepare for bed, Desdemona sings a song named “Willow” (the song is about a woman whose love forsook her) – she says the song makes her think of adultery, then proceeds to ask Emilia if she could cheat of her husband
Emilia says she could NEVER for all the jewels or rich clothes – Emilia also explains that women have the ability to cheat the same that men do. She swears that men who cheat on their wives only have themselves to blame if their wives decide to cheat on them too.
Desdemona’s response? Bad deeds should be replied to with GOOD deeds rather than bad deeds to try and make a bad situation GOOD.

46. Act V Summary *Major plot events only! *Use for clarification
Purposes only!

47. Act V Summary
Iago and Roderigo wait for Cassio outside the brothel that Bianca works at
Cassio vs. Roderigo…
Iago provides the rapier (it’s a sword) and a place to attack
Iago withdraws himself, but stays in a place should Roderigo need assistance
Cassio comes into the scene and Roderigo stabs him, failing to pierce through his armor
Cassio on the other hand, stabs and wounds Roderigo
Iago comes into the fight, stabs Cassio on the leg

48. Act V Summary
Othello doesn’t come into the scene, but hears of Cassio’s cry of being attacked: this leads him to believe that Iago has killed him and has now inspired him to complete his vengeance
Translation: Othello will now kill Desdemona

49. Act V Summary
Lodovico and Graziano enter, they hear Cassio and Roderigo’s cries but can’t see anything as it is so dark
Iago also enters the scene to “discover” Cassio and Roderigo
Iago pretends to discover Cassio first
Then stumbles across Roderigo and stabs him, killing him
It’s his way of avenging Cassio’s assailant
The three men finally come face to face and try to discover the truth of the situation

50. Act V Summary The questioning…
Iago suggests Roderigo is to blame – but Cassio does not know him. Why would he randomly attack?
Emilia enters and finds out what has happened and is to report to Othello & Desdemona what has happened
Iago remarks once he is all alone that tonight his plan will pay off, or will be undone

51. Act V Summary Othello and Desdemona’s final scene:
He says “prepare to die” – she wants to know why he would kill her
He tells her of her “unfaithfulness” with Cassio, the proof with her handkerchief
She denies it, and he refuses to believe her – he claims that Cassio has confessed but is also dead after having been killed by Iago (she weeps at his death, causing him to become overwrought with anger)
He smothers her, and thinking she is in pain – chokes her again.

52. Act V Summary Emilia’s entrance:
She reports that Roderigo is dead but that Cassio is alive – he is alarmed by this
Desdemona cries out that she is “murdered”, but that she was not murdered but that she killed herself
Othello admits to Emilia that he killed his wife because Iago proved her adultery, and instead of staying quiet, Emilia calls out for help

53. Act V Summary Mantano, Graziano and Iago come into the scene:
Iago’s lies come out and this causes Othello to cry
We learn that Brabanzio is dead (the first the audience has heard of this) as he would have been so upset to see his daughter like this
Othello swears up and down regarding the handkerchief, when finally Emilia admits that she stole it
Iago has to silence her to save himself now

54. Act V Summary
The truth is known: Othello charges at Iago to kill him, in the process Iago does stab his wife
In her dying moments: Emilia reveals that Desdemona was chaste and honest to Othello, she loved him, and then dies singing “Willow”

55. Act V Summary Upon the return of the others:
Othello is armed and mourning his wife
Iago is now held prisoner
Othello stabs him, but Iago does not die
Othello finds out the truth from a letter Roderigo had, and then Cassio explains that he found the handkerchief in his room – Othello is at a loss for his actions

56. Act V Summary
The men tell Othello they will take him from here, strip him of his power and then be put on trial
Othello asks several questions, and reminds them of his good deeds, then stabs himself to die next to his wife
Lodovico names Graziano Othello’s heir, and tells Iago to take a look at his lies and devious actions – Montano is told to execute Iago

57. Characters
*The key players, key actions!

58. Major Characters
Othello: Christian “moor” (a Latin term to suggest a person came from Mauretania, Africa; used here in Shakespearean context was a reference to dark skinned persons); general of the armies of Venice. He is smart and physically powerful, respected by many despite his race. Married to Desdemona, victim of Iago’s lies. His worst qualities: gullible, insecure – mostly due to his race
Desdemona: daughter of Brabanzio (a Venetian senator); secretly marries Othello before the play begins. She is the source of envy for Iago. Is faithful to her husband, but is suspected of having an affair with Othello’s lieutenant

59. Major Characters
Iago: The villain of the play; also a soldier of Othello’s. Is passed over for a promotion, and suddenly is out to destroy Othello in a very unclear sort of way with his reasons changing throughout the play. He obsesses over the manipulation and destruction of Othello.
Michael Cassio: Othello’s lieutenant; a young and inexperienced soldier. Resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello. Is used as a ploy of Iago’s scheme to make Othello believe Desdemona is in an adulterous relationship with him.

60. Major Characters
Emilia: Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant – she is deeply attached to Desdemona and while she loves her husband, she is not fully trusting of his methods
Roderigo: Jealous suitor of Desdemona. Young and incredibly rich – easily manipulated by Iago. He will try to kill Cassio as he feels he is more of a rival for Desdemona’s affections than her actual husband is.

61. Minor Characters
Bianca: a courtesan (prostitute) in Cyprus; is seen as a lover of Cassio
Brabanzio: Venetian senator and father of Desdemona; is betrayed when he daughter marries behind his back
Duke of Venice: Official authority of Venice
Montano: governor of Cyprus
Lodovico: Brabanzio’s family; messenger between Venice and Cyprus
Graziano: Brabanzio’s family; comes with Lodovico for company on his messaging trips
Clown: Othello’s servant

62. Major Themes
*The major universal
lessons of this play

63. Major Themes/Symbols/Motifs
The Danger of Isolation
Sight and Blindness
Animals
Handkerchief
“Willow”