Othello Summary

Act I
Before Othello begins, Roderigo has been ensuing Desdemona, a Venetian
noblewoman. One night, though, his soldier friend, Iago, tells him that Desdemona
got secretly married to his General, the Moorish Othello. Iago is still holding a grudge
against Othello, as well, because he did not choose him as his lieutenant and instead
picked Michael Cassio, leaving Iago mad. For revenge, Iago convinced Roderigo to
make Desdemona fall in love with him so Othello and her part ways, with leaving
Othello with a broken heart. Iago, also, knows Desdemona’s father, Senator Brabantio
that will surely hate Othello for being his son-in-law. So late at night, Iago and
Roderigo wake Brabantio and tell him the news of Desdemona. Brabantio angrily
calls the guards and go to arrest him for theft of his only daughter. At that moment,
officers arrive to send Brabantio to an urgent meeting of the Senate. The Senate is
concerned about the imminent threat of a Turkish invasion fleet on Cyprus. Brabantio
obligated; he goes.
Brabantio arrives to the council, and he wanted a retribution against Othello. Othello
is already there because he has just been put in command of the forces to hold off the
Turks. Othello explains how his stories of his life have helped him earn Desdemona's
love. After his explanation, Desdemona comes in defense of their wedding and love.
Her father after hearing this disowns her and she chooses to follow Othello to Cyprus.
She plans to travel in the care of Lieutenant Cassio and with Emilia, Iago's wife.

Act II
In Cyprus, Montano, the governor of Cyprus, and his soldiers greet Cassio, Iago,
Desdemona, and Emilia as they get off. Othello came with good news, that a storm
sank the Turkish fleet. At night they celebrated, but Roderigo confessed to Iago that
there is no progress in winning over Desdemona, although he had his droughts he
believed what Iago said; that there is hope. Iago convinced Roderigo that Desdemona
is in love with Cassio, and that he should challenge him into a duel, even though he
had second thoughts he reluctantly agreed. Later that night Iago got Cassio drunk and
Roderigo incites his anger. Montano, the governor, is stabbed during his attempt to
contain Cassio. Othello, then came to the scene after hearing loud noises. He got
really mad at the situation and blamed Cassio for the fight. For punishment he kicked
him out of his recent conferred officer status.

Act III
The next day, Iago persuade Cassio to ask Desdemona for help into changing
Othello’s mind for that punishment and she agreed. Meanwhile, Iago has filed seeds
of jealousy in Othello’s mind, suggesting that Desdemona has an attraction towards
Cassio. Othello was really uncertain about Desdemona’s love for him, so he started
watching her from afar to catch her in the act. So he called her and started asking her
where is her handkerchief, which was the first present he gave to her, but she was to
afraid to tell him that she lost it and she lied to him, saying that she has it but not in
the moment. Iago, on the other hand, knew where the handkerchief was, because he
instructed his wife Emilia, to take it and give it to him. Iago then hid the handkerchief
where Cassio would find it. When Desdemona urges her husband to reconsider
Cassio’s demotion, Othello gets jealous and suspects her being loyal to him.

Act VI
Iago continues to inflame this jealousy. He encourages Othello to listen in on, and
misinterpret, part of a conversation between Cassio and his mistress, Bianca. Cassio
and Bianca discuss how Cassio obtained the embroidered handkerchief that he then
gives to Bianca to copy. Othello’s anxiety rose at what he heard, brought on an
epileptic fit. After recovering, he orders Iago to kill Cassio. Desdemona cannot
understand Othello's change of attitude towards her. Othello even strikes her in the
presence of her relative, Lodovico, who has arrived as an ambassador from Venice.
As she prepares for bed, she talks with Emilia, to relieve the distress she feels at
losing the trust of her husband.

Act V
Meanwhile, Roderigo has begun to suspect Iago is not quite the friend he seems. Still
Iago persuades him to attack Cassio that night. In the fight that happened, Iago goes
undetected and wounds Cassio. He then enters again as himself to accuse and kill
Roderigo for the act of wounding Cassio. Othello comes to his sleeping wife's
bedroom to murder her as punishment for her supposed adultery. He smothers her
with a pillow as she shouts her innocence. Emilia alerts the household, causing Iago
and others to come to the scene. Othello defends himself, mentioning the
handkerchief as evidence. Emilia realizes what has happened and betrays Iago‘s plots
against Othello. Othello, facing the inevitability of his own trial, uses a hidden
weapon to commit suicide. The play ends with Cassio reinstated and placed in
command as Governor of Cyprus.