essay othello summary

A Summary and Analysis of William Shakespeare’s Othello

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Othello is one of Shakespeare’s five best-known and widely studied tragedies, along with Hamlet , Macbeth , King Lear , and Romeo and Juliet . 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 more in it than jealousy, the ‘green-eyed monster’, and (implied) racial hatred.

These themes are central to the play’s power, but one of the triumphs of Othello , as the analysis below attempts to demonstrate, is how well Shakespeare weaves different themes and elements together at once. 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).

Othello : plot summary

The main action of the play takes place in Venice, as the play’s subtitle, The Moor of Venice , makes clear. Iago is ensign or flag-bearer to the great military general, Othello, who is a Moor (i.e. a north African Muslim). Iago expects to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant, but instead Othello passes him over in favour of Cassio. For this reason (at least he claims), Iago declares that he hates Othello and will wreak vengeance on both Othello and Cassio.

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. 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.

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. 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).

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. He hides the handkerchief in Cassio’s bedchamber and then tells Othello that Cassio has it.

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.

Iago’s plan works, and Othello is convinced that there is something going on between Cassio and Desdemona. He tells Iago to kill Cassio, and he publicly strikes Desdemona, accusing her in front of everyone. Iago then tells Roderigo to kill Cassio, but Roderigo fails, so Iago kills him so nobody will find out about the plan.

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. 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.

Othello : 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. But Shakespeare does several very interesting, and artistically quite bold, things with this basic plot, and the characters he uses to tell the story.

First, he makes his hero noble, but unusually flawed. 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. 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.

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. 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.

Second, Shakespeare doesn’t make Iago, the villain, someone whose motives we can understand. Indeed, he goes out of his way to make Iago as inscrutable as possible. 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’.

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 ’). We cannot be sure why he is doing what he is doing.

But this does not mean that he is not being driven by anything. 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. 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.

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 is a villain, but a charming two-faced one. 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 ).

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.

Compare, in this connection, Iago’s role in Othello with that of the villainous Don John in the earlier comedy, Much Ado about Nothing (a play we have analysed here ). 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.

But in Much Ado , Hero’s fidelity is proved and Don John’s villainy is exposed, and we have a comedy. 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.

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. 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 ’.

2 thoughts on “A Summary and Analysis of William Shakespeare’s Othello”

The racial issue is of paramount importance in this play. The only characters whose view of Othello is not distorted by racial stereotyping are Desdemona and Cassio. 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. We’re told that he was sold into slavery in his childhood; presumably he was raised as a Christian. The “Colour” issue would have been evident in the original performances, since the Moor would certainly have been played in blackface.

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. It was a wonderful experience…

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Read our detailed notes on the play Othello by William Shakespeare. Our notes cover Othello summary, themes, characters, and a detailed analysis.

Introduction

Othello, also titled The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice, is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare in 1603 (as accepted by most scholars). The play was first staged on November 1st, 1604 and 1st published in 1622 by Thomas Walkley. The idea of comes from Italian writer’s play The Moorish Captain, published in 1565. Shakespeare molded the play and fit it according to his own age and place.

The time and place of the setting of play is the 16th century during the war between Venice and Turkey and set in Venice, respectively. Othello is the protagonist of the play who marries to Desdemona despite the difference between their ages. Iago, the antagonist of the play, interrupted the play by convincing Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful. The main themes of the play include love, an inconsistency of the military heroism, and fear of isolation. The symbols of the play are the handkerchief, and the song “willow”.

Othello by William Shakespeare Summary

The play opens on the street of Venice, in the mid of conversation between Roderigo, a wealthy man, and Iago, the antagonist. Earlier Roderigo has been remunerating Iago to help in marrying Desdemona, however, now they have learned that Desdemona has just got married to Othello, a general whom Iago served. Iago claims that he hates Othello as he, in favor of soldier Cassio, has promoted to the rank of lieutenant and passed over Iago.

Iago and Roderigo go to inform Brabanzio that his daughter Desdemona has been kidnapped and married to Othello, the Moor. Brabanzio gathers some officers in search of Othello. Iago plays a double game and goes to Othello before Brabanzio finds him out, not wanting that his hatred for Othello reveals to him.

Meanwhile, Cassio comes to Othello in an emergency with a message from the duke that his (Othello’s) helps is needed in a matter of Turkish invasion. Soon Brabanzio, along with Roderigo and some other officer, arrives at Othello’s place to accuse him of stealing his daughter via witchcraft. There they find out that Othello is gone to have a meeting with the duke so Brabanzio decides to accuse Othello in front of the duke and accumulated senate.

The plan of Brabanzio backfires. The Senate and the duke are on the side of Othello and shows sympathy toward him. Othello is given a chance to defend himself. He explains that he doesn’t marry Desdemona through witchcraft but impressed her through his stories of travels and adventures in wars. The duke seems to be convincing with Othello’s explanation.

Moreover, Desdemona herself enters and defends her choice and her husband. Disappointed Brabanzio acquiesces and lets the meeting to resume. The duke, in the meeting, expresses that Othello must go to aid the protection against the Turks. Desdemona insisted to accompany her husband on the war.

The following day, in Cyprus, the news arrives that the Turkish Fleet has been worn-out at sea. In the meanwhile, three of the ships from Venice arrived safely and didn’t suffer the same fate. Cassio, Iago, Iago’s wife (Emilia) Roderigo, Desdemona, and Othello all landed safely at Cyprus.

Othello was in the last ship and arrives late from his wife, Desdemona. When he arrives, he meets his wife and announces they will celebrating their triumph over Turks this evening.

After the announcement, everyone leaves for their rooms, but Roderigo stays and complains to Iago that he will not be able to break up Othello’s marriage. Iago guarantees him that soon Desdemona will get bored of Othello as he is ugly and will find someone else for sexual satisfaction.

Moreover, he warns Roderigo of that “someone” and claims him to be Cassio. Iago, at the same time, directs Roderigo to have a fight with Cassio at the celebration by disgracing him. To ruin Othello, the 1st step should be to eliminate Cassio from Othello’s life, says Iago in isolation.

At the evening celebration, Roderigo does what he was directed to do. The drunk Cassio starts chasing Roderigo across the stage. When Governor Montano attempts to calm Cassio, Cassio bashes at him. Roderigo is sent by Iago to raise alarm in the town.

Rodrigo rings the alarm due to which Othello arrives in an emergency to investigate the matter (Othello had left the party earlier in order to celebrate her marriage life with his wife, Desdemona). When Othello inquires about the matter, Iago pretends as if he doesn’t want to involve Cassio, however, conveys the matter indirectly.

Consequently, Othello asks Cassio to surrender his rank of lieutenant. Extremely dishearten by this treatment, Cassio laments before Iago that his reputation has been ruined forever. Iago cunningly convinces Cassio that if he wants to restore his position before Othello, he must use the favor of Desdemona as an intermediary person. Iago plans that he will frame Desdemona and Cassio as lovers to Othello to make him jealous and his target, simultaneously will be achieved.

For reconciliation with Othello, Othello arranges some instrumentalists to play underneath Othello’s window. Irritated with this, Othello asks his clown to go and send the instrumentalists away. Cassio asks Othello’s clown to send Emilia to him in order to arrange a meeting with Desdemona.

When the clown departs, Iago again fills in Cassio’s mind that he should meet Desdemona in complete isolation. For this Iago will help him to get Othello out of the way. Iago makes Othello and another gentleman to inspect the town’s fortification.

Desdemona seems to be quite sympathetic to Cassio when he tells her the whole story. Desdemona assures him that she will help him so that Othello forgives him and return him his former rank of Lieutenant. When Cassio was leaving Desdemona’s room, Iago and Othello reaches there and watch him leave. On Othello’s confirmation that whether he was Cassio or not, Iago starts igniting a fire of jealousy in Othello.

Due to this, Othello turns out to be upset and moody. Iago, to achieve his goal, suggests to Othello that Cassio and Desdemona might have some affair. On the other hand, Desdemona’s favor toward Cassio adds to Othello’s conviction that Desdemona is unfaithful to him.

Soon after a conservation between Othello and Iago, Desdemona comes to call Othello for a dinner where she finds that Othello is feeling unwell. She offers her handkerchief that he find too small and eventfully it fells down. This handkerchief is picked by Emilia remembering that Iago always wanted her to steal it from Desdemona.

Emilia gives the handkerchief to Iago that makes him overjoyed. Iago places the handkerchief in Cassio’s room as proof of Desdemona’s affair with Cassio. On Othello’s demand for evidence for the unfaithfulness of his wife, Iago tells him that he sees Cassio wiping his beard with the handkerchief that he gave Desdemona as a gift. On that point, Othello vows to avenge Desdemona and Cassio, while Iago vows to help him in this regard.

Later that evening, Othello demands from Desdemona to return him the handkerchief he gifted her, Desdemona says that she doesn’t have it and changes the topic. This makes Othello super angry and burst out. Later, Cassio comes across the handkerchief in his chamber and wonders about it. He gives that handkerchief to Bianca, a prostitute to copy its embroidery for him.

Too much consumed by jealousy, Othello falls into abstraction and has fits of epilepsy. Othello writes something on the ground, meanwhile, Cassio enters but Iago tells him to return a few minutes back. Here Iago plays another game. He, on the one side, tells Othello, as he recovers, that he is going to arrange a meeting with Cassio where he will confess his affair with Desdemona while on the other side he asks Cassio to say something about Bianca.

This creates a misunderstanding once more and Othello’s suspicions were confirmed. The scene catches fire when Bianca herself enters with the handkerchief chiding Cassio for making her a copy of it for him and he received it as a token of love given by some other woman. Desdemona also enters and gives Othello a letter from Venice. Othello is called back to home and instructed to appoint Cassio in place of him. This makes Othello super angry and strikes Desdemona.

Desdemona and Othello have fought and Othello accuses her of being a whore. Desdemona protested that was accompanied by Emilia but he ignores her and asks her to wait for her in the bedchamber tonight. Desdemona waits for him while sends Emilia away. Meanwhile, Iago convinces Roderigo that if he wants Desdemona he should kill Cassio.

Roderigo was instructed by Iago to kill Cassio, However, in an attempt to kill Cassio, Roderigo gets wounded by Cassio. Watching the scene and taking advantage of the moment, Iago attacks Cassio but fails to kill him rather wounds him. Othello, by hearing Cassio’s cry, assumes that he has been murdered by Iago as he had promised him to do so. Shortly after they discover that Roderigo has been killed. The clown takes Cassio to dress his wounds.

Meanwhile, in the bedchamber, Othello prepares himself to kill his sleeping wife. Desdemona wakes up and begged Othello. She confirms him her innocence but Othello oppresses her. Emilia enters with the news of Rodrigo’s death and Othello asks her if Cassio is dead or not that Emilia negates.

Soon Othello wounds Desdemona, she cries out claiming that she has committed a suicide. Emilia returns hearing the cries and asks Othello that what happened. He tells her that he has killed Desdemona for her faithfulness that was brought into attention by Iago.

Everyone else comes to the bedchamber. Emilia realizes immediately that what has been done by Iago and speaks up. Iago tries to silence Emilia. Othello, at first sided Iago and refers the handkerchief as a proof.

However, this confusion soon dispatches when Emilia tells him that she found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago. The crushed Othello attempts to kill Iago but he soon flees away after killing Emilia. He is immediately caught by the clowns. Othello tries to kill Iago but is disarmed. Othello makes a speech and kills himself. The ended with Lodovico’s speech who announces to hand over Othello’s house to Graziano and orders the execution of Iago.

Themes in Othello

Love and the discordancy of military heroism.

As Othello was a soldier, we see throughout the play that his married life is much affected. Just as he gets married, he is sent to Cyprus. In Cyprus when he tries to enjoy his marriage, an emergency alarm is rung in the whole town, though the matter was not that serious. We see that he asks for “fit disposition” for his wife.

While, on the other hand, we see Desdemona be very compromising a d compassionate wife. She only accompanies Othello to Cyprus but supports her and seems to be calm and untroubled with his husband’s going war. She doesn’t mind when she is awakened by the emergency alarm, however, was more curious than furious. Desdemona supports Othello in every situation and never let him feel down regarding any matter. She may also be called as Othello’s “rational warrior” and he, too, feels happy when she is around during everything.

Othello’s marriage to Desdemona provides Othello a certificate to enter to a Venetian society, previously, this society, in the play, seems to be fearful of Othello’s social status in white society; however, his marriage earn him a respect in Venetian’s society as a soldier.

Othello, consider that his success in love is just because he is a successful soldier, as he wins Desdemona’s heart by telling him the stories of wars, military travels, etc.

Moreover, Othello goes to Cyprus to fight against Turks, however, they are drowned by the natural disaster and Othello doesn’t get a chance to show his battle skills to Desdemona.

In Cyprus, they have nothing left to do. The last time we find him doing a military action is when he views fortification and that too was an extremely short scene in Act Ⅲ. Othello starts feeling uneasy in his private setting for not getting a chance to prove his manhood in public or in court.

Moreover, Iago takes advantage of the situation by calling his “epilepsy fit” the passion most unsuitable for such a brave soldier. Moreover, Iago also backbites Cassio and mentions him to Othello that Cassio has a very low opinion of him and think him as an enfeebling dream.

Othello confuses his identities (being soldier and lover) while desperately adhering to his former identity i.e. of a soldier.  The manifestation of his possessiveness rapidly transfers from the conformist i.e. “Farewell the peaceful mind” to the bizarre. One can easily guess that Othello is leaving bad habit and is completely occupied with his identity as a soldier.

However, his attitude to discerning is rather warranted by its seductiveness to the spectators as well. The audience and the Critics both seem to find comfort and nobility in the final speech of Othello plus the anecdote he tells but still, he depends upon his identity as a soldier to deliver that speech not a lover and attempts to make the audience forget about his disastrous marital life.

The Danger of Isolation

In the play Othello, the action shifts to Cyprus from the city of Venice. The city of Cyprus faces little some external dander that is why it is highly protected by military defenses and natural forces as well. the army of Turks is destroyed by the natural disaster and once Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo, Cassio, and Emilia, the main characters of the play, reach Cyprus, they have nothing else to do but to spy and make prey on one another.

Throughout the play, isolation among characters imparts special effect, for instance. The soliloquies of Iago provide us knowledge of what he is going to do; the standing apart of Othello while the conversation between Iago and Cassio is going on. Everyone leaves the stage while Othello is alone with dead bodies of Emilia and Desdemona for some time.

More importantly, Othello is considered a man from another nation and is subject to isolation because of his physical appearance and the color of his skin. Iago manipulates the distance among character to achieve his cunning plans.

The characters in the play cannot be isolated, however, the play delivers a lesson that to isolate oneself in order to preserve oneself causes an ultimate self-destruction. In the play, such isolation causes the disastrous deaths of the main Character: Iago, Othello, Roderigo, and even Emilia falls in this category.

Othello Characters Analysis

He is the protagonist and the hero of the play. Othello, a Moor, and an army general at the city of Venice, has an expressive personality and powerful stature. He is respected by everyone around him. Despite his high status, he never gets rid of his insecurities due to his age, race, and life as a soldier. He is master of “free and open” nature that has been used by Iago to screw his love for his life partner, Desdemona, and changes it to prevailing and disparaging distrust.

She is the daughter of the senator of Venetian society, Brabanzio. When the plays open, we come to know that Othello and Desdemona are married secretly. However, in many ways, we see that Desdemona is stereotypical, pure and humble. Desdemona is very strong-minded and confident. She defends her marriage by jesting bawdily towards Iago and responds to Othello’s jealousy with dignity.

He is Othello’s ensign (an ancient job), and the antagonist of the play. He is about Twenty-eight years old. He deliberately hates Othello just because he has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Iago’s seeks revenge from the Othello by making him against his dear ones. His motivations, throughout the play, are never expressed clearly as if they originate in obsessive and he seems to find aesthetic joy in destruction and manipulation people.

A young and inexperienced soldier and Othello’s Lieutenant, whose higher status position is begrudged by Iago. He is truly faithful to Othello and is extremely ashamed of being caught up in the brawl and consequently loses his position as lieutenant. His youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona are being used by Iago to make Othello jealous of him and play on Othello’s insecurities.

She is Iago’s wife and attendant to Desdemona. She is a pessimistic and worldly woman, deeply attached to Desdemona and suspicious of her husband.

He is a jealous person and wants to marry Desdemona. He is a young, foolish and rich person who is assured that if he offers some money to Iago, he will help him to marry Desdemona. He gets frustrated when he knows about Desdemona’s marriage with Othello and then Othello takes her to Cyprus. Desperate enough to get Desdemona, he agrees to help Iago to kill Cassio.

She is a prostitute in Cyprus who is much more interested in Cassio, his regular customer. Cassio makes her believe that he will marry her.

He is Desdemona’s father. He is senator of Venetian society who is somewhat loudmouthed and arrogant person. Othello was also his friend who marries his daughter.

Duke Of Venice

He is the only official authority in the city of Venice. He has the great respect for Othello for being a soldier and military servant. In this play, his role is limited to the reconciliation of Othello and Brabanzio in act 1 and then direct Othello to Cyprus.

He was the governor of Cyprus before Othello was appointed. He appears in Act 2 when he verifies the status of the war and waits for Venetians to come.

He is a kinsman of Brabanzio and acts as a messenger from Venice to Cyprus. He appears in Act 4 with a letter for Othello to return to Venice while placing Cassio in his place as the governor of Cyprus.

He, too, is a kinsman who escorts Lodovico to Cyprus. In the middle of the final he reveals a news that Desdemona’s father, Brabanzio has died.

He is Othello’s servant. He only appears in two scenes i.e. Act 3 scene 4 and Act 4 scene 1. His arrivals echo and twist the action and confrontations of the main plots. For instance, his jests on the word “lie” and forestall Othello’s muddle of two connotations of that word.

Othello Literary Analysis

The play  Othello  is a story of a soldier who is an honorable and principled army general who encountered much military success, but due to errors in judgment and status as an outsider in the Venetian society, destroys his most cherished relationship and himself. The play opens in the grandeur style of military romance reciting on the Mediterranean Sea.

Conversely, the drama ends with a suffocating end in a bedchamber where the protagonist, Othello, kills himself after murdering his innocent wife. The play transfers from huge facades that deliver a background for Othello’s valor to central spaces that offer, both factually and metaphorically, no possibility to breathe.

The contracting trajectory of the play suggests that deleterious sentiments like distrust put a sensitive choke hold on an individual, throttling their capability to think undoubtedly and therefore averting them from performing rationally. The play distinctions the grounds in which Othello is self-assured and influential, such as the external world of an encounter, with the internal spaces in which he is less confident and able to be effortlessly operated.

The tenor of the play  Othello  mainly mirrors Iago’s view of the world that is considered as pessimism and misgiving. Iago couriers his pessimism often, and predominantly in opening acts of the play. When Roderigo comes to know about Desdemona’s marriage with Othello, he feels so shameful and calls it his virtue, however, Iago condemns him that virtue is a fig and reject the idea that person’s character is set in stone. Iago’s pessimistic attitude of life averts him from feeling regret or sorrowful for his deeds.

According to Iago, he just workouts his willpower on others and cannot be seized responsible if those others are deficient of their inborn disbelief and doubt. To Iago, Othello’s unexperienced confidence in a “truthful Iago” is the real trick, not Iago’s deceitfulness.

The pessimism of Iago sets the platform for the suspicious tone in the second half of the play. When Othello progressively drops in Iago’s influence, just like Iago, he too instigates to speak wary remarks that boom Iago’s skeptical worldview. Othello, not only starts referring to the falseness and unfaithfulness of women but also calls Desdemona a “whore” on her face. His growing uncertainty echoes an all-consuming obsession that strengthens the fervors of distrust.

As he develops progressively paranoid, he inclines into a close to schizophrenic misperception. In an instant of no reason, he suggests that nature would devote herself is such a surveillance passion without some directions. Othello claims that he would not feel so intensely bothered if nothing had actually occurred amid Cassio and Desdemona. Consequently, since he does feel troubled, the custody of infidelity must be well started. Othello who usually is so rational, eloquent, and self-possessed, here employs a disordered reason that platforms the tone of fear that surpasses the play.

More From William Shakespeare

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• The Merchant of Venice
• Twelfth Night
• The Taming of the Shrew
• As You Like It
• Much Ado About Nothing
• The Comedy of Errors

William Shakespeare

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Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on William Shakespeare's Othello . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Othello: Introduction

Othello: plot summary, othello: detailed summary & analysis, othello: themes, othello: quotes, othello: characters, othello: symbols, othello: literary devices, othello: quizzes, othello: theme wheel, brief biography of william shakespeare.

Historical Context of Othello

Other books related to othello.

• Full Title: The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice
• When Written: c. 1603
• Where Written: England
• When Published: 1622
• Literary Period: The Renaissance
• Genre: Tragedy
• Setting: Venice and Cyprus
• Climax: The murder of Desdemona, by Othello
• Antagonist: Iago

Extra Credit for Othello

Moor or less? In Elizabethan England, the term "Moor" could be used to refer to a wide range of non-European persons, including black Africans, North Africans, Arabs, and even Indians. References to Othello's origins throughout the play are contradictory and ambiguous Iago calls Othello a "Barbary horse" (1.1.110); Barbary was an area in Africa between Egypt and the Atlantic Ocean. Roderigo , however, calls him "thick-lips" (1.1.65-6), suggesting that he may come from further south on the African continent. Brabantio calls him "sooty" (1.2.70); Othello, along with numerous other characters, refers to himself as "black." It is impossible to know now exactly what Shakespeare or his audience would have thought a "Moor" is.

William Shakespeare

• Literature Notes
• Play Summary
• About Othello
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Act I: Scene 1
• Act I: Scene 2
• Act I: Scene 3
• Act II: Scene 1
• Act II: Scene 2
• Act II: Scene 3
• Act III: Scene 1
• Act III: Scene 2
• Act III: Scene 3
• Act III: Scene 4
• Act IV: Scene 1
• Act IV: Scene 2
• Act IV: Scene 3
• Act V: Scene 1
• Act V: Scene 2
• Character Analysis
• Character Map
• William Shakespeare Biography
• Critical Essays
• Major Themes
• Major Symbols and Motifs
• Character Pairs
• Shakespeare's Tragedy
• Top 5 Quotes Explained
• Film Versions
• Full Glossary
• Essay Questions
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The play opens in the powerful city state of Venice, famous as a center of trade and banking and for its military might. 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 — are outside Senator Brabantio's house to tell him the news of his daughter's elopement with Othello, the Moor.

After sharing the news of the secret marriage in words calculated to alarm him, the treacherous and vindictive Iago quickly departs, leaving Roderigo to confirm the story. Feigning friendship and concern, Iago then meets with Othello and tells him of Brabantio's reaction. Brabantio, Othello, and Desdemona appear before the Duke of Venice. Although Brabantio accuses Othello of seducing his daughter by witchcraft, Othello explains that he won Desdemona by telling her his adventures, and Desdemona, called to testify, convinces the senators that she has freely gone with Othello and married him for love.

The Duke appoints Othello as general of the defense forces against the Turks, and he must leave for Cyprus immediately. Desdemona requests permission to accompany Othello to Cyprus. With the Duke's permission, Othello arranges for Desdemona to follow him later in another ship with Iago, whom he mistakenly believes is a trusted friend, and Iago's wife, Emilia. Iago convinces Roderigo that Desdemona will soon tire of Othello and that he should follow her to Cyprus. To himself, Iago decides to make use of Cassio, the man he deeply resents and who received the promotion he himself wanted, as the instrument to destroy Othello.

In Cyprus, Iago plots against Othello, planting the seed of doubt about Desdemona's fidelity and implicating Cassio as her lover. Using Roderigo, Iago arranges a fight that ultimately results in Cassio's demotion. Believing that his chances of reinstatement are better if he has Desdemona plead his case to her husband, Cassio, with Iago's help, arranges for a private meeting with Desdemona, who promises to speak on his behalf to Othello until his reconciliation with Othello is achieved.

As Cassio leaves, Iago and Othello appear. Othello notices Cassio's speedy departure, and Iago quickly seizes the opportunity to point out that Cassio seems to be trying to avoid the Moor. Desdemona immediately and enthusiastically begins to beg Othello to pardon Cassio, as she promised, and will not stop her pleading until Othello, preoccupied with other thoughts, agrees. The moment Desdemona and Emilia leave, however, Iago begins to plant seeds of doubt and suspicion in Othello's mind.

Othello, beset by uncertainty and anxiety, later demands of Iago some proof that Desdemona is unfaithful. Using a handkerchief that Desdemona later innocently drops, Iago convinces Othello that she has been unfaithful, and he stages a conversation with the innocent Cassio that further hardens the Moor's heart against his wife and her supposed lover. Convinced of his wife's betrayal and enraged and grieving, Othello rushes into action, making an agreement with Iago that he, Othello, will kill Desdemona, and Iago will dispose of Cassio.

Desdemona, true to her word to Cassio, continues to plead on his behalf, unknowingly confirming to Othello her unfaithfulness. He accuses her of falseness, and Desdemona, not knowing what she has done to offend, can only assure him that she loves him.

Meanwhile, the gullible Roderigo has abandoned all hope of Desdemona, but Iago urges him to kill Cassio and rekindle his hopes. Late that night, they attack Cassio in the street, but it is Cassio who wounds Roderigo. Iago rushes out and stabs Cassio in the leg. Othello, hearing Cassio's cries for help, believes that half of the revenge is completed and hastens to fulfil his undertaking.

Desdemona is in bed when Othello enters. He tells her to pray a last prayer as he has no wish to kill her soul. Realizing that he plans to murder her, Desdemona protests her innocence of any wrongdoing. Knowing that he doesn't believe her, she begs him to let her live just a little longer, but he smothers her with a pillow.

Emilia, Desdemona's servant and Iago's wife, upon discovering the ruse, raises the alarm and declares Iago a liar before Montano and Gratiano. She explains how Desdemona's handkerchief came into Cassio's possession, and when she refuses to be quiet, Iago stabs her. Cassio, wounded, confirms Emilia's story. A soldier to the last, Othello stands on his honor. Knowing that this is the end, he asks to be remembered as "one that loved not wisely but too well." Then he stabs himself and falls on the bed beside his wife, where he dies.

Next About Othello

Othello Play Summary: A Timeless Masterpiece in World Literature

"Othello," penned by William Shakespeare circa 1604, also recognized as "The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice," stands as one of the world's most performed and studied tragedies, depicting a profound love soured by jealousy. Inspired by Cinthio's "A Moorish Captain," Shakespeare's work captivates audiences with its compelling narrative, eloquent language, and poignant themes, enduring as a testament to his literary genius amidst ongoing debates over authorship. Before you continue reading, consider a dissertation writing service if you’re dealing with a larger paper that requires all your attention.

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Othello story unfolds against the backdrop of Venice and Cyprus, centering on the titular character, a Moorish general in the Venetian army. Othello secretly marries Desdemona, a noblewoman, much to the displeasure of her father, Brabantio, and his resentful ensign, Iago. Consumed by jealousy and spurred by his insecurities, Iago orchestrates a manipulative plot to discredit Othello, convincing him that Desdemona has been unfaithful to his loyal lieutenant, Cassio.

Othello plot untangles as Iago's web of deceit tightens. Othello's trust in Desdemona wanes, leading to a tragic downward spiral of suspicion and paranoia. Despite Desdemona's unwavering love and innocence, Othello becomes increasingly convinced of her infidelity, ultimately succumbing to Iago's malicious lies. Consumed by rage and jealousy, Othello strangles Desdemona, unaware of Iago's treachery until it is too late. What happens to Othello at the end of the play is that in a moment of devastating realization, Othello takes his own life, unable to bear the weight of his actions and the truth of his betrayal.

Through themes of jealousy, deception, and the destructive power of manipulation, "Othello" offers a profound exploration of human nature and the consequences of unchecked emotions. The play's tragic arc serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the devastating impact of jealousy and the vulnerability of trust in the face of deceit. Shakespeare masterfully crafts complex characters whose motivations and actions resonate with audiences across centuries, ensuring that "Othello" remains a timeless portrayal of the fragility of love and the darkness that lurks within the human psyche. Remember that if you are struggling with academic papers, simply pay for essays to avoid burning the midnight oil day after day.

Othello Short Summary

At the beginning of the play, Othello secretly marries Desdemona, a Venetian woman, much to the dismay of her father, Brabantio. Othello's ensign, Iago, harbors a deep-seated resentment towards Othello for promoting Cassio, a younger and less experienced officer, over him. Iago devises a cunning plan to manipulate Othello into believing that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him with Cassio.

Using insinuations and planted evidence, Iago fuels Othello's jealousy, leading him to believe in Desdemona's infidelity. What happened to Othello is that consumed by rage and suspicion, he becomes increasingly unstable, ultimately leading him to murder Desdemona. In the final moments of the play, Othello realizes the truth about Iago's deception but tragically takes his own life in despair over what he has done. The play explores themes of jealousy, manipulation, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions. Have you already written your Othello essay? If not, say, ‘ write my homework ,’ and our experts will provide a quick solution.

Othello Plot Summary in 100 Words 

The plot summary of Othello depicts the noble Moor secretly marrying Desdemona, angering her father Iago. Manipulating Othello with lies, Iago convinces him of Desdemona's infidelity with Cassio. Consumed by jealousy, Othello strangles Desdemona. Emilia exposes Iago's treachery, leading to his arrest. Othello, realizing his tragic mistake, kills himself. Cassio survives, appointed governor of Cyprus. The play ends with the tragic demise of Othello, a victim of jealousy and manipulation, and the exposure of Iago's villainy.

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Othello Character Analysis

Othello is a noble and esteemed Venetian army general known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield. However, he is also susceptible to jealousy and insecurity, particularly regarding his marriage to Desdemona. Despite his love for her, Othello's deep-seated insecurities are exploited by Iago, leading him to spiral into madness and despair tragically.

Desdemona is a virtuous and loyal woman who deeply loves Othello. She is portrayed as innocent and pure-hearted, with unwavering devotion to her husband. Despite her genuine love and loyalty, in the plot of Othello she becomes a victim of Iago's manipulation, falsely accused of infidelity and ultimately murdered by Othello in a fit of jealousy.

Cassio is a young and honorable officer in the Venetian army, admired for his skills and professionalism. He is loyal to Othello and maintains integrity throughout the play, though he becomes unwittingly entangled in Iago's schemes. What happens to Cassio at the end of Othello is that despite facing setbacks and accusations, Cassio remains steadfast in his commitment to duty and ultimately helps to reveal Iago's villainy.

Iago is the primary antagonist of the play, characterized by his deceitful and manipulative nature. He harbors a deep-seated resentment towards Othello and orchestrates a complex scheme to undermine him. Cunning and ruthless, Iago manipulates the other characters for his gain, exploiting their weaknesses and sowing discord to achieve his malicious goals.

Brabantio is Desdemona's father, a senator in Venice. He initially opposes Desdemona's marriage to Othello due to racial prejudices, but he is ultimately powerless to prevent it. Brabantio represents the societal attitudes of the time regarding interracial marriage and reflects the themes of prejudice and discrimination explored in the play.

Roderigo is a wealthy and foolish suitor of Desdemona who becomes a pawn in Iago's schemes. He is hopelessly in love with Desdemona and is easily manipulated by Iago, who exploits his desperation for personal gain. Roderigo's gullibility and naivety make him susceptible to Iago's machinations, ultimately leading to his demise.

The Duke of Venice is a figure of authority representing the rule of law and justice in the play. He intervenes in the conflicts arising from Othello's marriage to Desdemona and presides over the trial of Othello and Iago. The Duke's role underscores Venice's societal norms and values and highlights the contrast between public duty and personal vendettas.

Montano is the governor of Cyprus, where much of the play's action takes place. He is a respected figure in the military and serves as a foil to characters like Cassio and Othello. Montano's calm and rational demeanor contrasts with the tumultuous events around him, providing stability amidst the chaos.

Emilia is Desdemona's maid and Iago's wife, characterized by her wit and intelligence. While initially loyal to Desdemona, she becomes unwittingly complicit in Iago's schemes. However, as the truth unfolds, Emilia demonstrates courage and integrity, ultimately exposing her husband's betrayal at great personal risk.

Lodovico and Gratiano are Venetian noblemen who play minor roles in the play. Lodovico is Desdemona's cousin and a member of the Venetian delegation to Cyprus, while Gratiano is Brabantio's brother. They serve primarily as witnesses to the unfolding tragedy and contribute to resolving the play's conflicts.

Bianca is a courtesan in Cyprus and a foil to Desdemona. She is involved in a tumultuous relationship with Cassio, who treats her as a mere dalliance. Bianca's character highlights the contrast between genuine love, superficial infatuation, and the double standards regarding women's behavior in society. If you’re interested in analyzing protagonists from other literary works, consult our Louis Sachar’s Holes character summary.

Analysis of Othello Acts

If you’re wondering how many acts in Othello, the answer is five. Below is a short summary and key points of each act.

This act sets the stage for the unfolding tragedy. We are introduced to the main characters, including Othello, Desdemona, Iago, and Cassio. The act establishes the central conflict: Iago's resentment towards Othello for promoting Cassio over him and his subsequent plot to manipulate Othello into believing that Desdemona has been unfaithful. The act also explores themes of jealousy, racism, and power dynamics, as well as foreshadowing the tragic events.

In this act, Iago's scheming intensifies as he continues to manipulate those around him. He plants seeds of doubt in Othello's mind about Desdemona's fidelity, using Cassio's supposed flirtations with her as evidence. Meanwhile, Cassio's reputation is tarnished when he becomes involved in a drunken brawl orchestrated by Iago to further his agenda. The act builds tension and suspense as the characters become increasingly entangled in Iago's web of deceit.

This act marks a turning point in the play as Iago's manipulation reaches its peak. Othello's jealousy is ignited when Iago fabricates evidence of Desdemona's infidelity, leading Othello to confront Desdemona and ultimately to doubt her loyalty. Meanwhile, Iago further manipulates Cassio by advising him to seek Desdemona's help in restoring his reputation, thus adding fuel to Othello's suspicions. The act delves deeper into themes of deception, trust, and the destructive power of jealousy.

The tension escalates in this act as Othello's jealousy drives him to take drastic action. Convinced of Desdemona's betrayal, Othello decides to kill her, with Iago's encouragement. Desdemona pleads her innocence, but Othello remains steadfast in his belief of her guilt. Meanwhile, Emilia unwittingly becomes a pawn in Iago's schemes, as she inadvertently provides him with evidence to further his manipulation. The act culminates in the tragic murder of Desdemona, solidifying Othello's descent into madness.

In the final act, the consequences of Iago's manipulation come to light. Othello discovers the truth about Iago's treachery and Desdemona's innocence, leading to a dramatic confrontation between the characters. Realizing the enormity of his actions, Othello takes his own life while Iago is brought to justice for his crimes. The act concludes with the resolution of the play's conflicts as the surviving characters grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy and attempt to make sense of the devastation wrought by jealousy and deception.

Important Scenes in Othello

"Othello" by William Shakespeare is rich with impactful scenes that drive the plot forward and explore the characters' complexities and themes. Here are some important scenes in the play:

• Act 1, Scene 1

The play opens with a confrontation between Iago and Roderigo on a street in Venice. This scene sets the stage for Iago's villainy and introduces his motives for seeking revenge against Othello. It also establishes the racial tensions and prejudices that permeate Venetian society.

• Act 1, Scene 3

In this scene, Othello and Desdemona's elopement is revealed to Desdemona's father, Brabantio. Othello passionately defends his love for Desdemona, showcasing their deep affection for each other despite societal opposition. The scene also foreshadows the conflict between Othello and Brabantio, as well as the themes of love and betrayal.

• Act 2, Scene 1

This scene takes place in Cyprus, where Othello and his men await the arrival of the Turkish fleet. A storm at sea disrupts the Turkish invasion, symbolizing the chaos and turmoil that will soon engulf the characters' lives. The scene also introduces the setting of Cyprus, where much of the play's action unfolds.

• Act 3, Scene 3

This pivotal scene marks the turning point in the play, as Iago begins to sow the seeds of jealousy in Othello's mind. Using cunning manipulation, Iago plants doubts about Desdemona's fidelity by insinuating that she may be having an affair with Cassio. Othello's jealousy is ignited, setting off a chain of events that will ultimately lead to tragedy.

• Act 4, Scene 1

In this scene, Othello confronts Desdemona about the handkerchief he gave her as a token of their love, which he believes she has given to Cassio. Desdemona tries to defend herself, but Othello's suspicions continue to grow. This scene is crucial in showcasing Othello's descent into madness and his increasing mistrust of Desdemona.

• Act 5, Scene 2

The climax of the play occurs in this scene, as Othello confronts Desdemona in her bedroom. Consumed by jealousy and rage, Othello suffocates Desdemona, believing her to be unfaithful. After committing the murder, Othello learns the truth about Iago's deception and the innocence of Desdemona, leading to his tragic realization of the enormity of his actions.

• Act 5, Scene 2 

The play concludes with a series of dramatic revelations and resolutions. Emilia exposes Iago's treachery, leading to his arrest and eventual punishment. Othello, overwhelmed by guilt and remorse, takes his own life, while others are left to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy.

Main Themes in Othello

"Othello," one of William Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, explores several central themes that resonate throughout the play. Here are some of the main themes:

Perhaps one of the most prominent Othello plot summaries, jealousy drives much of the plot's conflict. Othello's jealousy towards Desdemona, fueled by Iago's manipulation, leads to tragic consequences. Similarly, Iago's jealousy of Cassio and resentment towards Othello propel him to orchestrate a series of deceptions that ultimately destroy lives.

• Race and Otherness

Othello is a Moor, an outsider in Venetian society. Throughout the play, characters make derogatory comments about his race, reflecting the racism prevalent in the society. Othello's race becomes a significant factor in the characters' perceptions of him, contributing to his insecurities and vulnerability to manipulation.

• Appearance vs. Reality

The theme of appearance versus reality is central to "Othello." Characters often misinterpret situations and people based on superficial appearances, leading to tragic misunderstandings. Iago, in particular, manipulates appearances to deceive those around him, creating a stark contrast between what seems to be true and what is actually true.

• Manipulation and Deception

Iago is the master manipulator of the play, using deception to achieve his own selfish ends. He manipulates characters' emotions and perceptions, exploiting their weaknesses and vulnerabilities. The theme of manipulation highlights the power dynamics at play in relationships and underscores the destructive consequences of deceit.

• Love and Trust

"Othello" also explores the complexities of love and trust. Othello and Desdemona's love is genuine and profound, but it is ultimately destroyed by jealousy and suspicion. The breakdown of trust between characters, particularly Othello and Desdemona, is a tragic commentary on the fragility of human relationships.

• Power and Authority

Power dynamics, both within personal relationships and societal structures, are central to the play. Othello's position as a military leader grants him authority, but it also makes him vulnerable to manipulation by those around him. Iago's quest for power and control drives much of the plot's conflict, highlighting the corrupting influence of ambition.

• Fate and Free Will

"Othello" grapples with the interplay between fate and free will. While characters make choices that lead to tragic outcomes, there is also a sense of inevitability to the play's events. Othello's tragic downfall is the result of his own actions as well as the manipulation of others, raising questions about the extent to which individuals are responsible for their destinies.

Othello Famous Quotes

"Othello" by William Shakespeare contains numerous famous quotes that have become iconic in literature and theater. Here are some of the most notable ones:

• "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; / It is the green-ey'd monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on." - Iago, Act 3, Scene 3. This quote captures the essence of jealousy as a destructive force, as Iago warns Othello of its corrosive nature.
• "Othello, the Moor of Venice." - Various characters refer to Othello by this title throughout the play, emphasizing his outsider status in Venetian society and highlighting the theme of race and otherness.
• "I am not what I am." - Iago, Act 1, Scene 1. This cryptic statement serves as a glimpse into Iago's duplicitous nature and his skill at manipulation.
• "It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,-- / Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!-- / It is the cause." - Othello, Act 5, Scene 2. Othello speaks these words before he murders Desdemona, justifying his actions as being driven by what he believes to be a righteous cause.
• "Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul / But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, / Chaos is come again." - Othello, Act 3, Scene 3. This quote reflects Othello's profound love for Desdemona and foreshadows the turmoil that will ensue when that love is called into question.
• "Put out the light, and then put out the light." - Othello, Act 5, Scene 2. As Othello prepares to kill Desdemona, he metaphorically refers to extinguishing the light of her life, emphasizing the finality and tragedy of his actions.
• "I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee: no way but this; / Killing myself, to die upon a kiss." - Othello, Act 5, Scene 2. These haunting words are Othello's final utterance before he takes his own life, reflecting the profound remorse and despair he feels over his actions.
• "Very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice." It is spoken by Brabantio, Desdemona's father, in Act 1, Scene 3 in response to Iago's suggestion that Desdemona may have deceived her father by marrying Othello without his knowledge. Brabantio expresses his belief that Desdemona's own innate sense of right and wrong, her "nature," will eventually reveal the truth to her, implying that she will come to regret her decision to marry Othello.

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Final Thoughts

Studying "Othello" is still important today because it talks about things that are still relevant, like jealousy, racism, and how people can manipulate each other. In today's world, where we're still dealing with issues of race and identity, the play's message about how jealousy and prejudice can ruin lives is still really powerful. Othello, the main character, struggles with his identity and fitting in, which is something a lot of people can relate to. The play makes us think about how important it is to trust each other and understand each other's perspectives in our relationships, and that's why it still resonates with people today. If you’re a real reading vulture, we have a To Till a Mockingbird summary prepared for you!

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What Happened to Othello, Iago and Cassio in the End?

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William Shakespeare’s Othello Summary | Essay Example

Introduction, othello characters, othello: plot summary, othello analysis: the plot.

Othello is a literary play that was written by William Shakespeare in 1603. The play is a tragedy revolving around four main characters that include Othello, Desdemona, Iago and Cassio. The four main characters have different roles in the play that complement each other in this tragic play.

Othello is the lead character who plays the role of an army commander in the Venetian army. Cassio and Iago are junior military officers who work under Othello. Desdemona plays the role of Othello’s wife and the daughter of a senator. The play begins with a conversation between a rich gentleman known as Roderigo and Iago.

Roderigo complains about Othello’s secret marriage to Desdemona and demonstrates his intense passion for her. Roderigo expected Iago to inform him of this development because of their friendship. Roderigo is in love with Desdemona and his previous efforts to marry her had not succeeded. Iago is not happy with the fact that Othello had promoted Cassio ahead of him despite his inexperience. Roderigo decides to report Othello to senator Brabantio who is Desdemona’s father.

Desdemona’s father goes out to look for Othello but they unexpectedly bump into each other in a security meeting where Othello has been summoned to advise senators on the impending attack on Cyprus by the Turkish troops. There is a very uncomfortable encounter between Othello and Brabantio after the meeting.

Desdemona’s father accuses him of using witchcraft to marry his daughter but Othello manages to defend himself. Brabantio warns Othello that his daughter would betray him. As a general in the Venetian army, Othello leads the army troops to fight against the Turkish troops. Othello leaves Venice in the company of his wife, Iago and Cassio and Desdemona’s attendant known as Emilia.

The Venetian army under the leadership of Othello calls for a celebration after the fall of the Turkish troops. In this celebration, Iago and Roderigo plan a conspiracy to completely destroy Cassio. In their plan, they were going to entice Cassio to drink excessively so that he would cause a commotion at the party.

Othello gets disappointed with this development and decides to punish Cassio for causing a disturbance at the party. The next step for Iago is to harm Cassio through Roderigo. Iago creates a scenario to make things appear as if Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair so that Roderigo would attack Cassio. Iago also tricks Othello into believing that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio.

Othello feels betrayed by these events and resolves to kill his wife and Cassio. He sends Iago to kill Cassio and decides to confront his wife on the issue. The end of this play is characterized by a series of murders. Iago kills Roderigo to prevent him from revealing their plot and exonerates himself from an attempt to kill Cassio by implicating Cassio’s girlfriend known as Bianca.

Othello kills Desdemona in a confrontation and tries to justify his action by claiming that his wife had committed adultery. The only evidence he has is Desdemona’s handkerchief that was found in Cassio’s lodging. In Othello’s explanation, Emilia discovers Iago’s plot and reveals it to Othello. Othello regrets his action after discovering that his wife was actually innocent.

Iago kills Emilia for exposing his evil intentions. Othello stabs Iago with an intention of making him feel pain in his entire life and later commits suicide when he discovers that the authorities are about to arrest him for murder. The authorities arrest Iago and execute him for his actions. A Venetian nobleman known as Lodovico makes a declaration that Graziona would be Othello’s heir.

It is evident from the play that Othello’s life changes from good to bad in many instances. In the beginning of the play, Othello is a very successful army commander at the top of his career. This changes drastically when he murders his wife and later commits suicide. It is a shame for a top army commander to die under such circumstances.

Othello’s happy marriage with his wife Desdemona is eventually destroyed by Iago’s conspiracy. Iago succeeds in breaking Othello’s marriage through his evil plot. Othello’s Cyprus mission had a significant influence on his downfall. His rival Roderigo got a perfect opportunity to separate him from his beloved wife. Othello had complete trust in Iago who later betrayed him because of his selfish intentions.

Othello’s weaknesses and flaws are responsible for his demise in this play. Othello’s love for Desdemona is a major weakness that leads to his downfall. Iago exploits this weakness to advance his selfish plots. Iago realizes that Othello is a very jealous man in fear of losing his wife to a Venetian gentleman.

Iago goes ahead to use this weakness to convince Othello that his wife is unfaithful. Othello reacts by killing his wife and this leads to his eventual demise. Othello completely believes in the military system and does not question any information that Iago brings to him. It is this weakness that makes him to believe everything that Iago tells him without careful consideration. It is this flaw that leads to his eventual downfall.

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• Act 1 Scene 3
• Act 2 Scenes 1-2
• Act 2 Scene 3
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• Act 4 Scene 2
• Act‌ ‌4‌ ‌Scene‌ ‌3
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Home — Guides — Othello — Understanding the Othello Plot

by William Shakespeare

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• Michael Cassio
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• Biography of author

Othello: Plot Summary

Table of contents, full book summary, plot summary by chapters.

Othello tells the story of the Moorish general, Othello, and his descent into jealousy and rage, ultimately leading to his downfall.

The play begins with Roderigo, a wealthy Venetian gentleman, complaining to Iago, a cunning and manipulative ensign, that he is in love with Desdemona, the daughter of a senator, and is jealous of her marriage to Othello. Iago, who secretly hates Othello and is envious of Cassio, a lieutenant who was promoted over him, tells Roderigo that he will help him win Desdemona if he gives him money. Iago then hatches a plan to use Cassio’s friendship with Desdemona to ruin him and get revenge on Othello.

In the meantime, Othello and his new wife, Desdemona, arrive in Cyprus, where they are stationed to protect the island from the Turks. Cassio is also there, along with Iago, who is determined to make Cassio lose his position. Iago convinces Cassio to drink excessively, causing him to start a fight with Roderigo, for which he is dismissed by Othello.

Iago then begins to manipulate Othello into thinking that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. He does this by planting false evidence, such as a handkerchief that was a gift from Othello to Desdemona, in Cassio’s room. Iago also uses the testimony of his own wife, Emilia, who unknowingly picks up the handkerchief and gives it to Iago.

Othello becomes increasingly jealous and obsessed with the idea that his wife is unfaithful to him. Iago fuels his suspicions by telling him lies and half-truths, such as claiming that he overheard Cassio talking in his sleep about his affair with Desdemona. Othello confronts Desdemona, who denies everything, but he refuses to believe her.

As Othello’s jealousy intensifies, he becomes more and more abusive towards Desdemona, ultimately striking her in front of others. Iago convinces Roderigo to attack Cassio, but the plan fails, and Cassio wounds Roderigo instead. Othello, hearing the commotion, assumes that Cassio is dead and resolves to kill Desdemona.

In the final act, Othello smothers Desdemona to death in their bedchamber, believing that he is avenging her infidelity. Emilia discovers the truth and tries to expose Iago’s lies, but he kills her. Othello, realizing that he has been manipulated by Iago, kills him, and then takes his own life in grief and despair.

Othello: Act 1 Summary

Act 1 sets up the major conflicts that will drive the rest of the play, including the tensions between Othello and Iago, the obstacles faced by Othello and Desdemona’s interracial marriage, and the power struggles between various characters. It also establishes the play’s themes of jealousy, betrayal, and racism. The audience is left wondering how these conflicts will play out and whether the characters will be able to overcome them.

Othello Act 1, Scene 1: Summary

The play opens with a discussion between Roderigo and Iago, in which Roderigo is expressing his love for Desdemona, and is upset that she has married Othello instead of him. Iago is revealed to be jealous of Cassio, Othello’s lieutenant, who was promoted over him. Iago and Roderigo decide to inform Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, of her marriage to Othello. They wake him up to tell him the news, and he is outraged that his daughter has married a black man.

Othello Act 1, Scene 2: Summary

Othello is summoned to the Duke’s court to answer for his marriage to Desdemona. He brings Desdemona with him, and they are questioned about their relationship. Othello tells the story of how he and Desdemona fell in love, and the Duke is satisfied with his explanation. However, Othello is also asked to go to Cyprus to fight the Turks, and he agrees to do so. Cassio is put in charge of the troops, and Iago vows to ruin him.

Othello Act 1, Scene 3: Summary

Iago meets with Cassio and convinces him to drink and celebrate their arrival in Cyprus. Roderigo also appears, and Iago encourages him to start a fight with Cassio. The plan works, and Cassio is provoked into fighting, resulting in his dismissal from his post. Iago advises Cassio to appeal to Desdemona to help him get his job back. After everyone leaves, Iago reveals his true intentions: to ruin Cassio and Othello’s reputations and get revenge for being passed over for promotion.

Othello: Act 2 Summary

Act 2 of Othello sees Iago’s manipulations begin to take hold, as he sows seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind about Cassio’s loyalty and Desdemona’s faithfulness. The act begins with Iago and Roderigo discussing their plan to discredit Cassio by getting him drunk and causing a fight. In Scene 2, Othello arrives in Cyprus with his new wife Desdemona, and Cassio greets them. Iago takes this opportunity to plant the seed of doubt in Othello’s mind, suggesting that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair.

Overall, Act 2 sets the stage for the main conflict of the play, as Iago’s manipulations start to take hold and Othello’s jealousy and mistrust begin to grow. The audience is left wondering whether Othello will be able to see through Iago’s schemes and realize the truth about Cassio and Desdemona’s innocence, or whether he will succumb to jealousy and turn against those he loves.

Othello Act 2, Scene 1: Summary

The second act of Othello begins with the arrival of Othello and his men in Cyprus after a victorious sea battle. Cassio, who had arrived before them, greets them and tells them that the storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet. They then receive news that the ship carrying Iago’s wife, Emilia, has also safely arrived. Cassio, who has been appointed as governor of Cyprus in Othello’s absence, orders some musicians to play music to celebrate their victory. However, the revelry is interrupted when a drunken Roderigo confronts Cassio, angry that he had not been appointed as Othello’s lieutenant. Cassio tries to calm him down, but Roderigo draws his sword and attacks him. In the ensuing scuffle, Montano, the former governor of Cyprus, gets injured while trying to intervene. Othello arrives on the scene and demands to know who started the fight.

Othello Act 2, Scene 2: Summary

This scene begins with Othello questioning Cassio about the brawl that occurred in the previous scene. Cassio, ashamed of his drunken behavior, admits his fault and apologizes. Othello, who values Cassio’s military expertise, forgives him but removes him from his post as lieutenant, which greatly distresses Cassio. Othello then confides in Iago, who had advised him to remove Cassio, about his love for Desdemona and how he feels unworthy of her. Iago feigns loyalty and reassures Othello that he will help him in his love life.

Othello Act 2, Scene 3: Summary

In this scene, we see Desdemona’s ship arriving in Cyprus, and Cassio greets her on behalf of Othello. Desdemona is happy to see Cassio but wonders why he is not in his post as lieutenant. Cassio explains that he has lost his post due to a drunken brawl, and Desdemona promises to intercede on his behalf with Othello. Iago, who is also present, plants the seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind about Desdemona’s loyalty by suggesting that Cassio and Desdemona might be having an affair. He tells Othello that Desdemona is a beautiful and desirable woman who might be unfaithful to him, which starts to make Othello suspicious.

Othello: Act 3 Summary

Overall, Act 3 is a pivotal point in the play, as Othello’s jealousy and Iago’s manipulations reach a boiling point. The scenes in this act show the characters’ increasing confusion and desperation, as they struggle to make sense of the events around them. The audience is left wondering whether Othello will be able to overcome his jealousy and see the truth about Desdemona’s innocence, or whether Iago’s machinations will succeed in driving him to take revenge.

Othello Act 3, Scene 1 : Summary

In this scene, Cassio arrives at the court, accompanied by musicians who are to play for Othello and Desdemona. Cassio asks the musicians to play some music, but they decline, citing their concern that it may be inappropriate for the court. Cassio then sends a servant to ask Emilia, Iago’s wife, to speak to Desdemona on his behalf. Iago enters and begins to sow seeds of doubt in Cassio’s mind about his relationship with Desdemona, suggesting that it may be inappropriate. Iago then advises Cassio to speak with Desdemona privately, as it may help to further his cause.

Othello Act 3, Scene 2: Summary

In this scene, Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona’s behavior and her alleged infidelity with Cassio. Emilia insists that Desdemona is faithful and denies that she has been unfaithful with Cassio. Othello becomes angry and accuses Desdemona of being unfaithful, causing her to become upset and confused. She insists on her innocence and asks Othello to let Cassio return to his position.

Othello Act 3, Scene 3: Summary

In this scene, Iago continues to manipulate Othello by planting seeds of doubt in his mind about Desdemona’s fidelity. Othello becomes increasingly angry and asks Iago to provide proof of Desdemona’s infidelity. Iago then invents a story about Cassio talking in his sleep about his affair with Desdemona. Othello becomes convinced of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness and vows to seek revenge.

Othello Act 3, Scene 4 : Summary

In this scene, Desdemona speaks with Cassio and promises to help him regain his position. She asks him to speak with Othello and plead his case, but Cassio is hesitant to do so. Meanwhile, Othello enters and confronts Desdemona about the handkerchief he gave her as a token of his love, which he believes she has given to Cassio. Desdemona denies having given the handkerchief to Cassio, causing Othello to become even more convinced of her infidelity. He leaves in anger, and Desdemona is left confused and upset.

Othello: Act 4 Summary

Overall, Act 4, Scene 1 sets the stage for Iago’s manipulation of Cassio, which will result in further damage to Cassio’s reputation and his eventual downfall. In Scene 2, Iago continues to manipulate Othello, making him believe that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Finally, Scene 3 provides a glimpse into Desdemona’s vulnerable side, as she confides in Emilia and expresses her concerns about her marriage.

Othello Act 4, Scene 1 : Summary

Scene 1 opens in a room in the castle of Cyprus, with Desdemona talking to Cassio about Othello. Cassio is feeling guilty and ashamed of himself for having lost his position as lieutenant, after getting into a brawl with Montano. Desdemona tells Cassio that she will do everything in her power to help him regain his position, as she believes he is a good and honest man. She asks him to come and speak to Othello, but he declines, feeling it is not the right time. They exit, and Iago enters, plotting his next move. He decides to talk to Cassio and make him drunk, which would cause him to act in a way that would further damage his reputation.

Othello Act 4, Scene 2 : Summary

This scene takes place in a street in Cyprus, where Othello and Iago are walking. Iago continues to manipulate Othello by suggesting that Cassio is dishonest and is secretly sleeping with Desdemona. Othello becomes visibly upset and demands proof of Iago’s accusations. Iago tells him not to worry, as he has a plan to catch Cassio and Desdemona together, which would prove his point.

Othello Act 4, Scene 3 : Summary

This scene takes place in a room in the castle of Cyprus, where Desdemona is preparing for bed. She sings a song about a woman who has been betrayed by her lover, and Emilia enters the room. Desdemona asks her to lay out her wedding sheets, which Emilia does. Desdemona then confides in Emilia that she is not feeling well, and Emilia tries to comfort her. Desdemona then asks Emilia if there is any woman who would cheat on her husband, to which Emilia replies that there are many such women, and that men are often to blame for their wives’ infidelities. Desdemona falls asleep, and Emilia exits the room.

Othello: Act 5 Summary

Act 5 of Othello is the final act of the play and brings the tragic story to a climactic conclusion and to highlight the destructive power of jealousy and manipulation. The scenes in this act are characterized by tension, suspense, and violence.

Scene 1 highlights the chaos and violence that has consumed the characters, as their attempts to carry out revenge lead to tragic consequences.

Finally, Scene 2 marks the tragic climax of the play, as Othello’s jealousy and Iago’s manipulations result in the death of an innocent woman. The audience is left with a sense of horror and sadness as they witness the tragic consequences of the characters’ choices.

Othello Act 5, Scene 1 : Summary

The final act of the play opens with Roderigo, who has become desperate to win back the love of Desdemona, confronting Iago about the money and jewels he had given him in exchange for his help. Iago becomes frustrated with Roderigo and decides to take matters into his own hands. He stabs Roderigo, leaving him wounded, and then tries to place the blame on Cassio. However, before Iago can escape, Cassio appears and wounds him. Othello enters the scene and realizes that he has been deceived by Iago. He orders for Iago to be arrested and executed. Othello then stabs himself, saying that he has “loved not wisely, but too well”, and dies next to Desdemona’s body.

Othello Act 5, Scene 2: Summary

In the final scene of the play, Lodovico arrives from Venice to find out what has happened in Cyprus. He witnesses the tragic end of the story and orders for Iago to be taken away to be punished. Cassio is left in charge of restoring order in Cyprus, and he orders for Othello to be buried with honors as a military hero. The play ends with Lodovico addressing Cassio and reminding him of his duty to govern wisely in the future.

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Othello summary and analysis of act i, act i, scene i: venice. a street..

Othello begins in the city of Venice, at night; Roderigo is having a discussion with Iago , who is bitter about being passed up for a military post. Though Iago is seasoned in battle, Cassio , a man of strategy but little practical experience, was named Othello's lieutenant. Iago says that he only serves Othello to further himself, and makes shows of his allegiance only for his own gain; 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 knows nothing of this coupling; Iago decides to enlist Roderigo, who lusts after Desdemona, to awaken Brabantio with screams that his daughter is gone.

At first, Brabantio dismisses these cries in the dark; but when he realizes his daughter is not at home, he gives the news some credence. Though Roderigo speaks to Brabantio, Iago is there too, hidden, yelling unsavory things about Othello and his intentions toward Desdemona. Brabantio panics, and calls for a search party to find Desdemona. Iago leaves, not wanting anyone to find out that he betrayed his own leader.

The relationship between Roderigo and Iago is obviously somewhat close. Iago "hast had [Roderigo's] purse as if the strings were thine"; the metaphor shows how much trust Roderigo has in Iago, and also how he uses Iago as a confidante (I.i.2-3). Does Iago share the same kind of feeling? As far as Roderigo knows, Iago is his friend, but Iago reveals his manipulative nature in this first scene.

Iago trusts Roderigo with the knowledge that he serves Othello only to achieve his own goals. It is thus ironic that after Iago's lengthy confession of duplicity, Roderigo still does not suspect anything untoward in his request. Appearance vs. reality is a crucial theme in Iago's story; throughout the play, he enacts a series of roles, from advisor to confidante, and appears to be helping people though he is only acting out of his twisted self-interest.

Iago seems to do a great deal of character analysis and exposition for the audience. "These fellows" that flatter for their own purposes "have some soul," Iago says (I.i.54). Contrary to his underhanded self-flattery, Iago seems to have no soul; he never repents, never lets up with his schemes, and never seems to tire of the damage he causes. His statement, "In following [Othello] I follow but myself" emphasizes that he is acting completely out of his own self-interest (I.i.58). Iago will thus hide his motivations and convey only falsehood. If he were to "wear [his] heart upon [his] sleeve", he would be torn apart (I.i.64). Honesty would destroy him.

Even when he is at his most honest, in this scene with Roderigo, Iago misrepresents just how evil he truly is. Iago parallels another Shakespearean character, Richard III , in his self-awareness of his villainous character, and lack of remorse and use of false representations. In this first scene, Iago has foreshadowed the great deceptions that he will engineer.

Already, the racial issues and themes at the core of Othello are beginning to surface. When Roderigo refers to Othello, he calls him "the thicklips", using a synecdoche that highlights only Othello's foreignness and belies Roderigo's distrust of Othello based solely on his color (I.i.66). Roderigo and Iago are not the only characters to display racism when referring to Othello; racism is a pervasive theme within the work, one that is evident even from the first scene of the play.

Another element that surfaces repeatedly in the play is the use of animal imagery; "an old black ram is topping your white ewe," Iago yells to Brabantio from the street (I.i.88-9). Animal imagery is used to convey immorality, or, here, a bestial desire or illicit passion. Iago later compares Othello to a "Barbary horse" coupling with Desdemona, reinforcing a lustful picture of Othello (I.i.111). Iago's statement is doubly potent, since it not only condemns Othello for his alleged lust, but also plays on Brabantio's misgivings about Othello's color, and outsider status. The juxtaposition of black and white, in connection with the animal imagery, is meant to make this image very repellent, and to inflame Brabantio to anger and action.

Iago especially mentions the devil many times in the text, beginning in the first scene. He implies Othello is devil-like, with his lust, indiscretion, and strangeness to Venice; the irony is that Iago is so quick to make others out to be evil, when it is he who is the center of blackness and foul deeds in the play. The devil often takes disguises, just as Iago does.

The setting of night is important to the play. Like in the first scene of Hamlet, the darkness introduces a eerie feel, and a certain disorder rules over the proceedings. With Brabantio's call for light, there is a corresponding call for some kind of order; darkness vs. light and order vs. disorder are important juxtapositions within the play. This theme will appear again at the end, as the play returns to darkness, and also to chaos.

Act I, scene ii: Another street.

Iago has now joined Othello, and has told him about Roderigo's betrayal of the news of his marriage to Brabantio. He tells Othello that Brabantio is upset, and will probably try to tear Desdemona from him. Cassio comes at last, as do Roderigo and Brabantio; Iago threatens Roderigo with violence, again making a false show of his loyalty to Othello. 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 all is far from right in Venice.

Iago continues his deliberate misrepresentation, swearing to Othello that he could have killed Roderigo for his actions. Iago is a very skilled actor; he is able to successfully present a contrary appearance, and get away with it. Iago alludes to Janus, the two-faced god, in his conversation with Othello. Since Iago himself is two-faced, Janus seems to be a fitting figure for Iago to invoke.

Iago's duplicity is again exhibited in this scene as his tone swings from friendly to backbiting as soon as Othello steps away, and then back to friendliness when Othello returns. Whereas Iago pretended to be supportive of Othello's marriage to Desdemona, when Cassio enters, he uses a rather uncomplimentary metaphor to describe the coupling. "He tonight hath boarded a land carack," Iago tells Cassio; his diction and choice of metaphor make Othello into some kind of pirate, stealing Desdemona's love, while reducing Desdemona into a mere prize (I.ii.50). But, this tone is carefully calculated; Iago will soon want Cassio to think of Desdemona as an object to be taken, and to believe Othello to be less honorable than he is.

Othello's pride first becomes visible here; he is exceptionally proud of his achievements and his public stature, and pride is an overarching theme of Othello's story. He is also proud of Desdemona's affection for him, which leads him to overstate their bond; he would not give her up "for the seas' worth," (l.ii.28). Othello is very confident in his position, and in the respect he commands; if the leaders of the city decide to deny a worthy man like him his marriage to Desdemona, then he believes "bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be" (I.ii.99). This statement illustrates Othello's faith in the state and in the Duke's regard for him.

Again, the issue of race comes to the fore, as Brabantio confronts Othello about his marriage to Desdemona. Desdemona never would have "run from her guardage to the sooty bosom of a thing such as thou," Brabantio says (l.ii.70-71). Brabantio assumes that Desdemona must have been "enchanted" to marry Othello because she could not desire a Moor. Brabantio ignores all of Othello's good qualities, allowing only for his prejudice to influence his judgment. Magic is another recurring theme, and here it is linked to stereotypes of Africans as purveyors of black arts or paganism.

During the time period when Othello was written, there were in fact free blacks in England, however, racism was even more pronounced in Shakespeare's England than it is in the play. A person like Othello could not have risen to such ranks in England at the time. Othello manages to avoid stereotyping more effectively than other Shakespearean characters, like Shylock, who represents the anti-Semitic views of his time. Though Othello is constantly confronted by stereotypes, he manages to evade them through his nobility and individuality.

Act I, scene iii: A council-chamber.

It is reported that Turkish ships are heading towards Cyprus to challenge the Venetian stronghold of the island. Defensive actions will be necessary. Brabantio and Othello meet with the senators who are discussing the battle, 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 not witchcraft. Desdemona comes to speak, and she confirms Othello's words; Brabantio's grievance is denied, and Desdemona will indeed stay with Othello. Othello is called away to Cyprus and he begs that Desdemona be able to go with him, since they have been married for so little time. Othello and Desdemona win their appeal, and Desdemona is to stay with Iago, until she can come to Cyprus and meet Othello there.

Jealous Roderigo is upset that Desdemona and Othello's union is allowed to stand. 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.

Brabantio again accuses Othello of bewitching his daughter, and airs his racially-charged grievances. He believes nature has made some mistake. Brabantio likens his grief to a flood that "engluts and swallows other sorrows, and is still itself" (I.iii.57-58). His strong objection foreshadows a confrontation between him and his daughter, and if Desdemona does choose to stay with Othello, it seems likely she will risk her father's love.

Othello's appointment to Cyprus marks the true beginning of his tragedy; for, when he is away from Venice, a place of familiarity, order, and law, Othello will be much more vulnerable to Iago's vicious attacks. This battle between order and chaos is a theme running throughout the play, and as Othello sinks deeper into distrust of Desdemona and is consumed by his jealousy, chaos increases and threatens to devour him.

The Duke's words of advice to Othello and Desdemona foretell trouble between the couple if they do not let grievances go, which indeed contributes to Othello's fall. Here, the change of the verse into couplets signals the importance of the advice being offered. The words of the Duke, and Brabantio's words that follow, are emphasized by this technique; the reader is notified, through the couplet rhyme, which hasn't appeared before in the text, that these are words that must be marked.

Although Othello pretends to be poorly spoken, the only magic he possesses is in his power of language. His language shows his pride in his achievements, and also allows him to make himself into a kind of hero. Othello portrays himself as a tested, honorable warrior, and indeed is such. However, this view of himself will prove troublesome when he is unable to acknowledge his jealousy and lust; his inability to reconcile himself with these two aspects of his personality means that his comeuppance is almost certain. Pride goes before his fall.

Othello's speech before the assembly shows what he believes Desdemona's love to be; he thinks that Desdemona's affection is a form of hero-worship, and she loves him for the stories he tells, and the things he has done. He believes it is his allusions to strange peoples and places, like the "Anthropophagi," that fascinate her, and this youthful fascination forms the core of her affections. Indeed, his powers of language successfully win the Duke over, and soften Brabantio's disapproval.

Light and dark are again juxtaposed in the Duke's declaration to Brabantio: "if virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black" (I.iii.290-291). Here, black is associated with ugliness, sin, and darkness, and, by extension, blacks are assumed to embody these traits. The Duke plays down Othello's race, saying he is more "fair" - light or just - than "black". This does not mean the Duke is forward-thinking, only that he can vouch for Othello, who does not seem to have the characteristics of his race. It's a backhanded compliment. Light/white/fairness all convey innocence, goodness, etc.; any symbol that is white has these qualities. The juxtaposition of black and white, light and dark shows up again and again in the play, as the colors become symbolic within the story.

Because Iago is a very good judge of human nature, he is able to manipulate others with ease - and, this cleverness also means that he is a source of wisdom in the play, no matter how wickedly he chooses to use this knowledge. Iago tells Roderigo, "Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners" (I.iii.322-323). Iago knows one can choose to cultivate vice or virtue. Othello, Roderigo, and Cassio do have vices that they allow to grow in themselves, but they also have aspects of themselves which balance these vices out. Iago's knowledge of this allows him to do away with this balance and set chaos into motion, which leads to tragedy.

Here, Iago's purpose becomes plain; he sees that Othello and Desdemona's marriage is less than solid, and seeks to use his powers to break this marriage apart. Iago is again "honest" about his intent, but only to a person whose involvement will help him greatly. The words "honest" and "honesty" appear repeatedly in the play, used primarily by Iago, or in reference to him; ironically, Iago is the only person in the play whom Othello trusts to judge who is and is not honest, and the only one whose integrity is not questioned until it is too late.

Honesty becomes an important question, and theme, in the story; characters repeatedly ask themselves who is honest, who can be trusted, and Iago indeed plays on their honesty to make them believe falsely. The word "honest" is often used in an ironic context, or to indicate that someone or something cannot be trusted. Under Iago's influence, honesty becomes a difficult liability, and speeds the downfall of many good characters.

Othello Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Othello is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

why does othello ignore the cries for help?

Othello is hurdling towards self-destruction: sadly, by the deaths of people closest to him. Like tragic heroes such as Macbeth, Othello's senses are dull to tragedy and screams of terror. Roderigo and Cassio fight, and both are injured; Othello...

what function does the opening part of this scene, with the clown, have?

The minor comic relief that is present is reminiscent of Feste's wit in Twelfth Night . As in Twelfth Night , a man entreats a servant to fetch someone hither; but since the servant is a clown, there is a bit of frustration and word-play before...

I think the opening scene is meant to introduce the cunning and deceitful Iago. The relationship between Roderigo and Iago is obviously somewhat close. Iago "hast had [Roderigo's] purse as if the strings were thine"; the metaphor shows how much...

Study Guide for Othello

Othello study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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Essays for Othello

Othello essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Othello by William Shakespeare.

• Iago and Edmund: The Silence and Complexity of Evil
• Unity in Shakespeare's Tragedies
• Inevitability and the Nature of Shakespeare's Tragedies
• Witchy Women: Female Magic and Otherness in Western Literature
• Racism in Othello

Lesson Plan for Othello

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E-Text of Othello

Othello e-text contains the full text of Othello by William Shakespeare.

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Discussion Questions

Why do you think Shakespeare chose to write Othello as a Moor and Desdemona as a Venetian? How do their respective races affect the plot? Support your answer with evidence.

In Act I, the Venetian Senate asks Othello to defend Cyprus against the Turks. All of the play’s major characters sail to Cyprus, but a storm stops the Turkish fleet in Act II, eliminating the reason for Othello’s journey to Cyprus. Why do you think Shakespeare moved the action of the play to Cyprus, rather than leave his characters in Venice?

Which character does Iago have the easiest time manipulating, and why might some characters be more susceptible to his manipulation than others?

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Othello Summary Essay

Othello is a tragic story about Othello, the Moor, who married Desdemona in what seemed to be a happy marriage. Othello’s friend Iago wants Othello to become so consumed with jealousy that Othello will kill Desdemona, allowing Iago to get Othello out of the way so Othello’s position as the Moor of Venice can be Othello’s.

Iago is Othello’s longtime friend and ensign. Othello trusts Iago with many important matters of the Venetian state; however, Othello later begins to fear that he may not trust Iago enough. Othello has become very close to Cassio, an officer under him in military matters who has often outperformed Othello’s job performance–something that makes Othella increasingly jealous of Cassio. When Othello hears a conversation between Cassio and Othello’s ensign, Iago, Othello begins to think that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Othello has Iago plant Desdemona’s handkerchief (a gift from Otehlla) in Cassio’s room; Otehlla later accuses Desdemona of adultery without proof. Othello kills both his wife and her attendant, Emilia.

Iago has convinced Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him with Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio. And now it’s up to Iago to make sure Othello executes the plan. To make things even easier for him, Othello has decided to promote Cassio, which will further Othello’s jealousy. Othello tells Iago that he is going to tell Desdemona of the promotion once Othello has even more proof; Otehlla then gives Otehlla ‘s handkerchief (which Ohella gave Otehlla as a gift) to Iago and instructs him to give it back to Desdemona after Desdemona and Cassio have been together, suggesting an affair between them.

Othello is a tense, closely-knit play, with an ever-increasing emotional scene. The character Iago, Othello’s ancient, is the cause of all the tragedy which comes to pass as the play progresses. He is a manipulator, opposing Othello not directly, but through other characters whom he tricks. From his actions throughout the play one sees that Iago was gifted at using other people, to further his own schemes. *Act One, Scene One is the most important because it foreshadows the whole drama.

Iago gives the reader warning that he is not all that he seems when he says, “I am not what I am” (I,i). I ago’s main target is Othello, but he gets Othello to suspect his wife of being unfaithful. Iago’s carefully planned schemes lead Othello to suspect Desdemona and Cassio of having an affair. In the end Othello murders all those he cares for due to Iago’s manipulation as a result Othello then kills himself as well as Desdemona. Iago has been Othello’s confidant since they were young men in Venice, during Othello’s days as a mercenary soldier under the service of the republic of Venice.

As a trusted friend, Othello often speaks very candidly about his life with Iago – even when Othello ought to be far more careful. Othello discloses information about his marriage, Desdemona’s love for him and his own feelings of vulnerability when it comes to her. When Othello speaks in this manner he does not realize the danger involved with Iago, who is Othello’s greatest foe. Othello feels that Iago is too close of a friend and would never hurt him therefore Othello does not think twice before speaking.

Through Othello’s relationships with other characters we see how heavily influenced he is by others and how easily manipulated he can be by those around him; most notably Iago provokes him into acts of violence against Cassio and Desdemona. Othello is a character whose main flaw is his quick temper. Othello provokes Iago to anger by telling him he has been neglecting his duties when in reality Othello was just concerned for Iago’s well-being. Othello feels that Iago would never harm him because Othello sees the good in everyone which makes him oblivious to the danger of people like Iago who can hide their true face from others.

In Othello’s eyes it is impossible for someone as loyal and caring as himself to be fooled or used by another person, but in truth Othello fails to realize this because he does not see the true nature of other characters who do not have his best interests at heart. Othello is also persuaded by Iago to believe that Cassio has been cheating on Othello’s wife, Desdemona. Othello makes the unfortunate choice of believing Iago when he is presented with “proof. ” Othello becomes obsessed with thoughts about Cassio and Desdemona even though Othello knows deep down that they are all false in his mind.

Othello is in a constant state of torment over what he thinks might be happening between his wife and one of his subordinates. Othello lacks the ability to realize that most often people are just doing their own thing instead of scheming or plotting against others. Othello plays into Iago’s hands throughout the play, being easily deceived by his “friend” Iago. Othello trusts people that he shouldn’t and is too quick to jump into action instead of thinking things through slowly.

Othello’s tragic flaw is his temper because it gets him into situations where harm follows as well as Othello’s inability to see the true nature of others especially Iago. Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603 or 1604, which deals with an adulterous love triangle between Othello, a Moorish general living in Venice; his wife Desdemona who is a Venetian lady; and Cassio from the same army camp under Othello’s command. The play begins with Othello dismissing Cassio from the army, but Othello then promotes Cassio to be his new lieutenant.

Othello is deceived into thinking that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, Othello’s supposed best friend so Othello plans to murder all those he loves including Desdemona and Cassio. Desdemona is Othello’s wife who becomes a victim of circumstance because Othello accuses her of being unfaithful. Othello accuses Desdemona of infidelity after Iago tells him lies about Desdemona and Cassio’s relationship. Because Othello trusts Iago more than anyone else, Othello believes everything that is said about Desdemona and Cassio.

Othello does not know that Iago is trying to destroy Othello’s life by ruining Othello’s marriage with Desdemona, Othello’s career in the Venetian army, and Othello’s friendship with Cassio. Othello does not realize what sort of evil Iago truly is until it is too late for Othello to do anything about it. Othello feels guilty about hurting others including Cassio; he feels guilty about suspecting his wife of adultery; and Othello feels guilty because he commits murder against innocent people so these feelings cause Othello to have a mental breakdown at the end of the play when he realizes what Othello has done.

Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio all die in the end because Othello kills them in a fit of madness when Othello realizes that he fell for Iago’s lies and Othello must pay the price for his mistakes. Othello is one of Shakespeare’s plays during the English Renaissance theater era that was written to be performed at a theater or on a stage so Othello does not have any props or costumes except clothing items which were used to differentiate Othello from other characters.

Othello is set in Venice, Italy so there are Venetian settings such as balconies, an outdoor quay with ships moored along it, and a seaport town. Othello focuses on the theme of innocence being destroyed by evil so Othello portrays Othello as an innocent individual, Othello’s wife Desdemona who is described as an angel, and Othello’s best friend Cassio who Othello trusts more than anyone else in Venice.

Iago is a villainous character in Othello because he has no regard for human life and Iago commits many crimes such as manipulation and betrayal during Othello. Iago tries to destroy Othello by telling him lies about Desdemona and Cassio; Iago tries to ruin Othello’s marriage with Desdemona by deceiving both Othello and Desdemona; Iago manipulates Othello into thinking that Othello’s wife is having an affair with Cassio so Othello will suspect Desdemona of adultery and Othello will kill Desdemona out of rage.

Iago betrays Othello by telling Othello’s enemy Brabantio that Othello has slept with his daughter Desdemona because Brabantio wants Othello dead after finding out about the affair between Othello and his daughter. Iago tries to ruin Cassio’s life for no apparent reason other than the fact that he hates him. Iago succeeds in destroying Cassio’s career in the Venetian army because Othello dismisses Cassio from Othello’s employment.

Othello does not know that Iago is the reason behind Othello getting rid of Cassio so Othello believes Iago when Othello says that it was Othello’s wife Desdemona who convinced Othello to get rid of Cassio. Othello is a tragedy because all of the major characters in Othello die by the end of the play. The main character Othello commits suicide after realizing what he has done, Desdemona dies when she is smothered by a pillow on her husband’s orders, and Cassio has been mortally wounded with a sword through his leg during a fight.

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