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Brabantio Goes After Othello
Act 1, Scene 2: Brabantio orders his men to attack Othello. When he finds out Othello has been ordered to appear in front of the Duke of Venice to discuss the Turks' invasion of Cyprus, Brabantio stops the attack to complain to the duke instead. -
Iago Starts Trouble
Act 1, Scene 1: Iago learns of Othello's secret marriage to Desdemona. Angered that Othello has passed him over in favor of Cassio for a military promotion, he wants revenge.He tells Roderigo, who desperatly seeks Desdemona's attentions, that he will make Othello misrable in marriage. Iago tells Desdemona's father, Brabantio, that she is having relations with Othello. Brabantio, who does not know Othello and Desdemona have secretly married, goes after Othello. -
The Duke Intervenes
Act 1, Scene 3: Othello, Iago, Brabantio, Cassio and Roderigo go to the Duke. Brabantio is now convinced by iago that the only way Desdemona would have married Othello was under a spell. Othello convinces the Duke that Desdemona married of her own free will. Desdemona shows up to prove she married Othello out of love. Brabantio accepts the marriage, The Duke then sends Othello to Cyprus to defeat the Turks, and tells Desdemona to stay in Venice. Iago sees his opportunity for revenge. -
Iago Plots Problems on Cyprus
Act 2, Scene 1: While on the island of Cyprus, Iago sees Cassio speaking privately with Desdemona. He plots to tell Othello that his precious lieutenant and Desdemona are having an affair. Iago convinces Roderigo that this lie will be his opportunity to have Desdemona. Iago secretly desires Desdemona for himself. -
Celebration Time
Act 2, Scene 3: Because the Turkish ships did not make it to Cyprus, Othello announces a party to celebrate an end to war, and his marriage to Desdemona. -
Iago Frames Cassio
Act 2, Scene 3: Iago gets Cassio drunk and frames him for a stabbing. Othello believes Iago's kies and dismisses Cassio. Iago sends Cassio to cry on Desdimona's shoulder and tells Roderigo his plan to ruin Desdemona's reputation is working. -
Iago Sets Cassio Up (Again).
Act 3, Scenes 1 and 2: Iago arranges alone time for Cassio and Desdemona. Desdemona hears Cassio's whining and promises him she'll convince Othello to take him back. -
Iago Sets Up Desdemona
Act 3, Scene 3: Desdemona pleads Cassio's case to Othello. Iago takes his shot and convinces Othello that if she's taking up for Cassio, she's probably having an affair with him too. Othello believes Iago and goes into a rage of self torment and paranioa. When he demands evidence of the affair, Iago tells Othello he saw Cassio wiping his brow with Desdemona's handkerchief. This is enough evidence to seal the deal. -
Othello's Suspicions Worsen
Act 3, Scene 4: Othello asks Desdemona to produce the handkerchief he gave her as a love token. When she can't do it, his suspicion skyrockets. To make matters worse, Desdemona tries to change the subject by once again asking Othello to give Cassio another chance. -
Othello Goes Mad
Act 4, Scene 1: Iago continues to bring up the possibility of Desdemona's unfaithfulness. Through Iago's trickery, Othello sees Cassio with Desdemona's love token handkerchief. At that moment, he vows to kill Cassio and poison Desdemona. When he sees Desdemona, he accuses her of adultery and hits her. -
Things Get Even Worse For Othello and Desdemona
Act 4: Scenes 2 and 3: Othello grills Iago's wife, Emilia, about Desdemona's infidelity; she tells him Desdemona is innocent. Othello finally confronts Desdemona, who also says she has done no wrong. Othello goes nuts and leaves; Desdemona asks Iago if he knows what's wrong with Othello. Emilia starts wondering who would tell Othello such lies. At the same time, Roderigo demands an update from iago on his progress with Desademona. Iago tells him his odds would improve if Cassio were killed. -
Love's Bitter End
Act 5: Scenes 1 and 2: Iago and Roderigo attempt to kill Cassio. Othello finds Cassio stabbed, but alive. He realizes the work is Iago's and leaves to kill Desdemona.When Emilia finds Othello in the act of killing his wife, she figures out that Iago is at the bottom of it. When Othello realizes his tragic mistake, he kills himself.. Iago the demon lives on.