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Iago Starts Trouble
ACT I, SCENE I:
Iago learns about Othello's secret marriage to Desdemona. Angered that Othello has passed him over in favour of Cassio for a military promotion, he wishes revenge. He tells Roderigo, who desperately seeks Desdemona's attention, that he will spoil Othello’s pleasure in his marriage. Iago tells Desdemona's father, Brabantio, that she is having sexual relations with Othello. Brabantio goes after Othello. -
Cyprus Invasion
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, Brabanzio decides to bring his cause before the duke himself. -
Meeting with the Duke
ACT 1, SCENE 3:
Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo, and officers arrive to meet the Duke. Brabantio says his daughter has been stolen from him by spells and potions, but Othello claims that he married Desdemona and he denies having used magic to woo her. Desdemona confirms that she married Othello voluntarily. Brabantio accepts the marriage. The Duke orders Othello to defeat the Turks in Cyprus. Iago finds an opening for retribution. -
Iago's Plot
ACT 2, SCENE 1:
While on the island of Cyprus, Iago sees Cassio speaking privately with Desdemona. He plots to tell Othello that his lieutenant and Desdemona are having an affair. Iago convinces Roderigo that this lie will be his opportunity to have Desdemona. Iago secretly desires Desdemona. -
End of the War Celebration
ACT 2, SCENE 2:
Othello announces a party to celebrate Cyprus’s safety from the Turks and his marriage to Desdemona. -
Cassio Under the Influence
ACT 2, SCENE 3:
Iago gets Cassio drunk and frames him for a stabbing. Othello believes Iago's lies and dismisses Cassio from his service. Iago sends Cassio to talk to Desdimona and tells Roderigo his plan to ruin Desdemona's reputation is working. -
Please Take Cassio Back
ACT 3, SCENE 1-2:
Cassio goes out of his way to get Othello to take him back. Iago arranges for Cassio and Desdemona to confer privately. Desdemona promises him she'll convince Othello to make him a lieutenant again. -
Desdemona's Handkerchief
ACT 3, SCENE 3:
Desdemona pleads Cassio's case to Othello. Iago takes his shot and convinces Othello that she's taking up for Cassio because she's probably having an affair with him. Othello believes Iago and goes into a rage of self torment and paranoia. 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 give him the handkerchief he gave her as a love token. When she tells him she can't, his suspicion skyrockets. To make matters worse, Desdemona tries to change the subject by once again asking Othello to give Cassio another chance. -
Othello Strikes
ACT 4, SCENE 1:
Iago continues won’t stop bringing up Desdemona's unfaithfulness. Through Iago's trickery, Othello sees Cassio with Desdemona's love token handkerchief. At that moment, he pledges to murder Cassio and poison Desdemona. When he sees Desdemona, he accuses her of infidelity and slaps her. -
The Nearing End of Othello & Desdemona
ACT 4, SCENE 2-3:
Othello informs Iago's wife, Emilia, about Desdemona's infidelity and she tells him Desdemona is innocent. Othello finally confronts Desdemona, who also says she has done no wrong. Desdemona questions Iago about Othello’s state. Emilia starts wondering who could tell Othello such lies. At the same time, Roderigo demands an update from Iago on his progress with Desdemona. Iago tells him it would be more likely that he ends up with Desdemona if Cassio were assassinated. -
Love's Bitter End
ACT 5, SCENE 1-2:
Iago and Roderigo try to assassinate Cassio. Othello finds Cassio stabbed, but alive. Othello believes that Iago has killed him and leaves to assassinate Desdemona. In the meantime, Iago stabs Roderigo to death. When Emilia finds Othello attempting to kill Desdemona, she figures out that Iago is the reason behind the murder. Othello realizes his tragic mistake when Emilia reveals Iago’s villainy. He kills himself. Iago the demon lives on.
