OTHELLO
A play that is a mainstream Shakespearean tragedy
Setting: “Street of Venice”
The key themes are: jealousy, racism, sexism, appearance vs. reality, &
prejudice.
o MAIN CONFLICT:
Othello and Desdemona marry and attempt to build a life together, despite their differences in
age, race, and experience. Their marriage is sabotaged by the envious Iago, who convinces Othello
that Desdemona is unfaithful..
o Symbols:
The handkerchief; the song “Willow”
o The main literary devices Shakespeare uses to enhance the play :
Allusion, Simile, Symbolism, and Foreshadowing.
o Tone:
Shakespeare clearly views the events of the play as tragic. He seems to view the marriage between
Desdemona and Othello as noble and heroic, for the most part.
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presentation title
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THE PLAY’S CHARACTERS
OTHELLO
The play’s
protagonist and
hero
BRABANZI
O
Desdemona’s father,
a somewhat
blustering and selfimportant Venetian
senator.
DESDEMON
A daughter of the
THE
Venetian senator
Brabanzio
Duke of
Venice
The official
authority in
Venice
IAGO
Othello’s
ensign.The
villain of the
play
Montano
THE GOVERNOR
OF CYPRUS
BEFORE
OTHELLO
Cassio
EMILLIA
Othello’s
lieutenant and a
young
inexperienced
soldier
Iago’s wife
and
Desdemona’s
attendant
Lodovic
o
A messenger
from Venice to
Cyprus
GRAZIANO
Brabanzio’s kinsman
who accompanies
Lodovico to Cyprus
Roderig
o
A jealous
suitor of
Desdemona.
CLOWN
Othello’s
servant
BIANCA
A courtesan, or
prostitute, in
Cyprus.
Summary: Act I, scene i
o The story of Othello opens with Roderigo and Iago arguing on a street in Venice. Roderigo,
a wealthy man, has been paying Iago to assist him in getting Desdemona to agree to
marry him, but he has seen no results and has recently discovered that Desdemona
married Othello, a general for whom Iago serves as an ensign. Iago reassures Roderigo that
he hates Othello. Iago’s reasons for this hatred is Othello’s recent promotion of Michael
Cassio to the post of lieutenant. Iago served in war, and three "great ones" of the city
recommended him, but Othello opted to promote a man without military command
experience. He is awaiting a chance to further his own self-interest, Iago only pretends to
serve Othello. Iago gives Roderigo the suggestion to ruin Othello's happiness of his marriage
by pushing Desdemona's relatives to oppose the general. The two men arrive on the
sidewalk in front of Desdemona's father Brabantio's home and scream that he has been
robbed by "thieves." Venetian senator Brabantio approaches the window. He first doubts
what he hears since he has before warned Roderigo to avoid his daughter and believes that
Roderigo is only planning once more to see Desdemona. As Brabanzio starts to take the
what he hears seriously, he decided to look for his daughter. As soon as Iago realizes the
plan worked, he leaves Roderigo by himself and rushes to see Othello. Othello, like
Brabanzio, is unaware of Iago's role in Roderigo's accusations. Brabanzio rushes from his
home as Iago leaves, furious that his daughter left him. Following Roderigo to Othello,
Brabanzio and his men claim that his daughter was taken by magical "charms" from him.
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Summary: Act I, scene ii
o Iago arrives at Othello's home and warns the general that Brabanzio wouldn't
think twice about forcing Othello and Desdemona to get a divorce. When Othello
notices a group of men coming, Iago advises him to get inside because he believes
Brabanzio and the others have come. Othello maintains his position, but it turns
out that the group is Cassio and officers from Venice. They bring Othello a
message that the duke of Venice is looking for him in relation to an issue
involving Cyprus, a Venetian-controlled island in the Mediterranean Sea. As
Cassio and his men prepare to leave, Iago mentions that Othello is married, but
before he can say any more, Brabanzio, Roderigo, and Brabanzio’s men arrive to
accost Othello. Brabanzio orders his men to attack and subdue Othello. A struggle
between Brabanzio’s and Othello’s followers seems imminent, but Othello brings
the confrontation to a halt by calmly and authoritatively telling both sides to put
up their swords. Hearing that the duke has summoned Othello to the court,
Brabanzio decides to bring his cause before the duke himself
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SUMMARY
oAct I
oScene i
Iago and Roderigo told Brabantio that Othello has married Desdemona,
so that Brabantio will go after Othello.
oScene ii
As Brabantio and Roderigo arrive to attack Othello, Othello is called to
see the Duke of Venice. Brabantio decides to talk to the Duke directly
about Othello and Desdemona.
oScene iii
Desdemona chooses Othello over her father, which tortures Roderigo.
The Duke sends Othello to defend Cyprus from the Turks, and Desdemona
goes with him. Iago thinks Othello slept with his wife Emilia and vows
revenge.
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SUMMERY
oAct II
oScene i
The Turks die in a storm, but Othello makes it to Cyprus. Iago plans to
frame Cassio by convincing Roderigo that Cassio wants to sleep with
Desdemona.
oScene ii
Othello's herald announces a feast, celebrating Cyprus' safety and
Othello's marriage.
oScene iii
Iago gets Cassio drunk, who then stabs Mayor Montano, and Othello
fires Cassio. Iago suggests that Cassio ask for Desdemona's help getting
his job back.
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SUMMERY
o Act III
o Scene i
Emilia tells Cassio that Desdemona is trying to get Othello to rehire him, but Othello
is unsure because of Montano's political influence and popularity in Cyprus.
o Scene ii
Othello asks Iago to deliver letters to his ship's captain and give his regards to the
Senate of Venice.
o Scene iii
Iago convinces Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, and
Othello vows revenge. Othello promotes Iago to lieutenant.
o Scene iv
Othello hints that Desdemona is unfaithful when she cannot produce the
handkerchief he gave her, and tells her it was enchanted. Cassio asks Bianca to
copy the handkerchief, which he found in his room.
o
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SUMMERY
oAct IV
oScene i
Iago asks Cassio to talk about Bianca while Othello listens in hiding, tricking
Othello into believing Cassio is talking about Desdemona, and he accuses her
of having an affair. While Othello plans to murder Cassio and Desdemona,
Lodovico arrives with orders for Othello to go back to Venice and leave Cassio
in charge
oScene ii
Othello accuses Desdemona of being a prostitute, while Emilia ponders that a
villain has tricked Othello into thinking this. Roderigo laments his unrequited
love, and Iago tries to convince him to kill Cassio.
oScene iii
Desdemona sings a song about losing one's lover as she gets ready for bed,
and speaks with Emilia about adultery.
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SUMMERY
oAct V
oScene i
Iago wounds Cassio and frames Roderigo for it, then kills Roderigo. Iago
and Emilia arrest Bianca for being a prostitute and say it led to Cassio's
death.
oScene ii
Othello smothers Desdemona. Iago stabs Emilia as she figures out his
deceptions and tells everyone. Othello realizes Desdemona was innocent,
wounds Iago, and kills himself
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