OthelloOthello
Contents
Characters in the Play
Entire Play
In Venice, at the start of Othello, the soldier Iago announces his hatred for his commander, Othello, a Moor. Othello has…
Act 1, scene 1
In the streets of Venice, Iago tells Roderigo of his hatred for Othello, who has given Cassio the lieutenancy that…
Act 1, scene 2
Iago warns Othello about Brabantio’s anger, but Othello is confident in his own strength and in his love for Desdemona….
Act 1, scene 3
The duke and the senators discuss the movements of the Turkish fleet and conclude that its target is, indeed, Cyprus….
Act 2, scene 1
The Turkish fleet is destroyed in a storm, while Cassio and then Desdemona, Emilia, and Iago arrive safely at Cyprus….
Act 2, scene 2
Othello proclaims a public celebration.
Act 2, scene 3
Iago gets Cassio drunk, making it easy for Roderigo to provoke Cassio into a brawl, first with Roderigo, then with…
Act 3, scene 1
Cassio arrives with musicians to honor Othello and Desdemona. As Iago has recommended, Cassio asks Emilia to arrange a meeting…
Act 3, scene 2
Othello prepares to tour Cyprus’s fortifications.
Act 3, scene 3
Desdemona’s interview with Cassio is cut short by the arrival of Othello. Cassio leaves hastily in order to avoid speaking…
Act 3, scene 4
Desdemona, still actively seeking to have Cassio reinstated, is worried about the loss of her handkerchief. Her anxiety about it…
Act 4, scene 1
Iago continues to torment Othello with vivid descriptions of Desdemona’s alleged sexual activity. Othello falls into an epileptic seizure. Iago…
Act 4, scene 2
Othello questions Emilia about Cassio and Desdemona’s relationship, acting as if Emilia is the mistress of a brothel and Desdemona…
Act 4, scene 3
Othello, walking with Lodovico, orders Desdemona to go to bed and to dismiss Emilia. As Emilia helps Desdemona prepare for…
Act 5, scene 1
In the dark streets of Cyprus, Roderigo attacks Cassio, who, uninjured, stabs Roderigo. Iago then wounds Cassio in the leg….
Act 5, scene 2
Desdemona is asleep in bed when Othello enters. He kisses her and wakes her and once again charges her with…
Characters in the Play
Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army
Desdemona, a Venetian lady
Brabantio, a Venetian senator, father to Desdemona
Iago, Othello’s standard-bearer, or “ancient”
Emilia, Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant
Cassio, Othello’s second-in-command, or lieutenant
Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman
Duke of Venice
Lodovico
Gratiano
Venetian gentlemen, kinsmen to Brabantio
Venetian senators
Montano, an official in Cyprus
Bianca, a woman in Cyprus in love with Cassio
Clown, a comic servant to Othello and Desdemona
Gentlemen of Cyprus
Sailors
Servants, Attendants, Officers, Messengers, Herald, Musicians, Torchbearers.
