Post by Daniel on Oct 22, 2009 4:24:11 GMT -5
Othello is set against the backdrop of the wars between Venice and the Ottoman Empire that raged in the latter part of the sixteenth century. Cyprus, which is the setting for most of the action, was a Venetian outpost attacked by the Turks in 1570 and conquered the following year.
There are four characters in Othello vital to the plot:
Othello :
Othello is a very successful and honorable General in the army of Venice. However, he is a Moor(someone of African/Arabic descent)
Desdemona:
Desdemona is Othello’s newly-wed wife. She is pure and virtuous.
Cassio:
Cassio is Othello’s newly-promoted lieutenant or second-in-command
Iago:
Iago is Othello’s standard bearer, or under-officer. He is an elder officer but Cassio is promoted above him
Othello Act 1 Scene 1
In following him I follow but myself;
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so for my peculiar end. Iago
It is night in a street in Venice. Roderigo, a rich young man that wants to marry Desdemona, is arguing with Iago. He says he has been paying Iago to help him win Desdemona, but has seen no results, and now Desdemona has married Othello! Iago says that he, too, hates Othello because Cassio has been promoted instead of him, the older officer. Iago tells Roderigo to spoil some of Othello’s pleasure by alerting Desdemona’s family of the marriage.They go to the house of Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, wake him and declare that he is robbed. Meanwhile, Iago leaves the house to go to Othello, who doesn’t know that Iago has done this and doesn’t know that Desdemona’s father is coming to arrest him.
Act 1 Scene 2
Iago comes to Othello, and he warns Othello that Brabantio is coming to force a divorce between him and his wife. Othello sees a group of men approaching and Iago, thinking these are the men of Brabantio, advises Othello to retreat into his house. Othello on the other hand refuses to move, but the men turn out to be officers sent from the Venetian court to bring a message: the duke of Venice needs to see him urgently concerning Cyprus. As the duke’s men and Othello prepare to leave, Brabantio arrives and accuses Othello of witchcraft: he cannot imagine that his (white) daughter would willingly marry a moor, a black man, and thinks Othello has put a spell on her. He orders his men to attack Othello and his men, but before a fight begins, Othello calmly and with authority tells them to hold up their swords. After hearing that Othello is going to meet the Duke, Brabantio insists on joining him and bringing his case to the Duke.
Act 1 Scene 3
But here’s my husband,
And so much duty as my mother showed
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor my lord.
Desdemona
Brabantio and Othello go to meet the Duke, who is discussing the invasion of Cyprus by the Turks with other officials. Brabantio says that all state business must be stopped immediately, so that they can pass judgement on his problem. He tells them his daughter has been robbed, and initially the Duke sides with Brabantio, telling him that the law is behind him. But then Brabantio reveals it is Othello who has stolen his daughter, and the Duke becomes more sceptical. Othello tells the story of how he wooed Desdemona, and then sends for her to prove he has not put a spell on her. When Desdemona comes, Brabantio asks her who she owes obedience to, and she says Othello. They return to state business and the Duke tells Othello that the Turks are planning to attack Cyprus, and he must sail straight away to defend the island. Desdemona requests to go with him. At the end of the scene, all characters leave the stage except Iago and Roderigo, who is even more upset that Desdemona is leaving. Iago tells him to come to Cyprus with them and bring lots of money because he has a plan. Roderigo leaves and Iago makes a solilqouy: he says he suspects has slept with his wife, he says Roderigo is a fool that he shall use for his money and he outlines his plan to use Othello’s honest and trusting nature against him and convince Othello that Desdemona has slept with Cassio.
Act 2 Scene 1-2
Montano, the governor of Cyprus is looking onto the stormy sea, along with two gentleman. Montano suspects the storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet, and Cassio arrives shortly after to confirm this having seen it on his way from Venice. Voices off-stage announce the arrival of a ship and Iago, Emilia, Desdemona and Roderigo arrive at the island.. As they are waiting for Othello’s ship to arrive, Cassio insists on talking to Desdemona privately about Othello’s arrival, leading her by the hand. Iago notices this habit and plots to use this hand-holding against the lieutenant: “With as little a web as this I will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio’’. Othello arrives, greet Desdemona and announces his devotion to her and tells Iago to unload the ship. They go to the castle to plan a big feast. Meanwhile, Iago tells Roderigo that he should pick a fight with Cassio. He says Desdemona will get bored with her ‘black’ husband and his barbaric ways, but the first she will look to is Cassio, so Roderigo must discredit him first.
Act 2 Scene 3
Othello leaves Cassio on guard during the party, telling him to practice self-restraint. Othello and Desdemona leave to consummate their marriage. Iago joins Cassio and talks about Desdemona being a ‘temptress’, but Cassio is sure she is virtuous and innocent. Iago pursuades Cassio to drink and to invite some people to join them. When Cassio leaves, Iago tells the audience he will trick Cassio into disgracing himself. Cassio returns with Montano and his attendants. Soon Cassio wanders off-stage, telling his friends he isn’t drink. Once Cassio leaves, Iago tells Montano that whilst Cassio is a good soldier, he is worried about his drinking problem. Roderigo, also drunk, enters and Iago points him to Cassio. As Montano is suggesting that someone say something to Othello about Cassio’s drinking, Cassio chases Roderigo across the stage threatening to beat him. Montano steps in to stop him, Roderigo leaves and Montano tries to hold Cassio down from following him. Cassio stabs Montano, Iago cries mutiny and Othello enters with his attendants.
Othello asks what happened, and Iago and Cassio say they cannot remember. Montano insists he is in too much pain to speak but Iago should tell the story. Iago pretends to be reluctant, but eventually says that Cassio chased some man(he does not name Roderigo) across the stage when the fight between Cassio and Montano began, suggesting that the unknown man(Roderigo) must have insulted Cassio. Othello falls into the trap, and thinks Iago is trying to protect Cassio and make the story softer on him. Othello dismisses Cassio from his service. Othello leaves and only Iago and Cassio remain. Cassio is regretful that his actions have damaged his reputation, and Iago suggests that he appeal to Desdemona because she has Othello’s attention and goodwill. Iago says that her kindness will help him. When Cassio leaves, Iago jokes that his villainy involves counselling Cassio to a course of action that would actually help him. He tells the audience the does the most even when he seems the most good.
Act 3 Scene 1-2
Cassio sends musicians to play beneath Othello’s window, but Othello sends his servant to tell them to go away. Cassio asks the servant to beg Emilia, Iago’s wife, to come to speak to him so that he can ask Emilia to speak to Desdemona on his behalf. When the servant leaves, Iago enters and tells Cassio that he and Emilia will find a way to distract Othello so that he can speak to Desdemona alone. Emilia invites Cassio into her room and tells him to wait for Desdmona.
Meanwhile, Othello, Iago and few of the gentleman of Cypress walk around the city to inspect the defences and deliver some letters.
Act 3 Scene 3
Desdemona, Cassio and Emilia meet. Desdemona’s tells Cassio she will do everything she can to help him, when suddenly Othello and Iago enter. Cassio quickly leaves, saying he feels too ashamed to help himself. Othello asks whether it was Cassio he saw leaving the room, and Iago comments that surely Cassio would not act like a guilty man when Othello approached. Desdemona then begs Othello to forgive Cassio and return him to service. She criticises Othello for responding to her request so grudgingly and hesitantly. Othello asks for some time to think alone, and Desdemona leaves. However, Iago is still in the room and he begins to suggest an affair between Cassio and Desdemona, reminding Othello that Cassio was the man that served as a ‘go-between’ or intermediary during their courtship. Othello asks Iago if he thinks Cassio is honest, and Iago pretends to be reluctant to answer.By himself, Othello wonders whether his wife still loves him, as he thinks himself too old, black and lacking the manners of a courtier.
Haply for I am black,
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have; or for I am declined
Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much—
She’s gone.
Othello
Emilia and Desdemona enter to tell Othello he is expected at dinner, but complains of a sore head. Desdemona tries to bind his head with her handkerchief but he pushes it away, saying it is too small. It drops to the floor and they forget about it. Othello and Desdemona leave, and Emilia notices the handkerchief and picks it up, remarking that her husband had asked her to steal it a hundred times. She gives it to him and Iago is ecstatic. He plans to plant it in Cassio’s room. Suddenly Othello enters and attacks Iago, saying it is better to be deceived completely than to suspect it without proof. Iago says it would impossible to catch Cassio and Desdemona having sex, but that he can provide circumstantial evidence: He tells Othello and when he and Cassio shared a bed as soldiers, Cassio dreamt of Desdemona, cried out her name, kissed Iago on the lips and put his leg on Iago’s thigh. Next, he says he has seen Cassio wipe his forehead with Desdemona’s handkerchief, the first gift that Othello gave to Desdemona. Convinced, Othello cries out for blood and Iago vows to help him. Iago is made lieutenant
Act 3 Scene 4
Othello enters to meet Desdemona and Emilia, and immediately asks Desdemona for her handkerchief. He tells her the history of the handkerchief: an Egyptian sorceress gave it to his mother and told her that it would make her desirable and keep Othello’s father loyal, bt if she lost it or gave it away, Othello’s father would leave her. Desdemona cannot produce the handkerchief and Othello leaves with much anger. Emilia comments on the fickleness of men. Cassio and Iago enter and continue to press Desdemona for her help, but she comments that Cassio’s timing is bad because Othello is in a terrible mood. Emilia speculates he is jealous, but Desdemona insists it is some political matter.
Act 4Scene 1
After much questioning, Iago finally tells Othello that Cassio has slept with Desdemona. Cassio enters, and Iago tells Othello to hide and see for himself: he will get Cassio to admit he has slept with Desdemona. Then, as an aside, Iago tells the audience he will joke with Cassio about Cassio’s involvement with a prostitute called Bianca. Othello will be driven mad, thinking he is talking about Desdemona.
The plan works. Othello decides to kill Cassio and Desdemona.
Desdemona enters with Lodovico, who has come from Venice with a message from the Duke. Othello reads the message with tells him to come back to Venice, and is upset to leave his post. Desdemona expresses her happiness at going home, and Othello strikes her. Lodovico is amazed that this is the same Othello he knew in Venice, and he wonders whether Othello is mad. Iago tells him to see for himself.
Act 4Scene 2-3
Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona and then sends her to get Desdemona. When they are alone, Othello confronts Desdemona and insists she has betrayed him. When she denies it, he leaves, angrily. Emilia and Desdemona send for Iago to try to explain what has happened, but Iago insists it is just official business that is making Othello mad. Meanwhile, Roderigo talks to Iago about his frustrated love and Iago tells him that he must kill Cassio: Cassio will take Othello’s place and that Othello is being sent to Africa.
During dinner, Othello sends Desdemona to bed and says he will be with her shortly after talking to Lodovico. Desdemona seems to know she will die and asks Emilia to be buried in her wedding sheets.
There are four characters in Othello vital to the plot:
Othello :
Othello is a very successful and honorable General in the army of Venice. However, he is a Moor(someone of African/Arabic descent)
Desdemona:
Desdemona is Othello’s newly-wed wife. She is pure and virtuous.
Cassio:
Cassio is Othello’s newly-promoted lieutenant or second-in-command
Iago:
Iago is Othello’s standard bearer, or under-officer. He is an elder officer but Cassio is promoted above him
Othello Act 1 Scene 1
In following him I follow but myself;
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so for my peculiar end. Iago
It is night in a street in Venice. Roderigo, a rich young man that wants to marry Desdemona, is arguing with Iago. He says he has been paying Iago to help him win Desdemona, but has seen no results, and now Desdemona has married Othello! Iago says that he, too, hates Othello because Cassio has been promoted instead of him, the older officer. Iago tells Roderigo to spoil some of Othello’s pleasure by alerting Desdemona’s family of the marriage.They go to the house of Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, wake him and declare that he is robbed. Meanwhile, Iago leaves the house to go to Othello, who doesn’t know that Iago has done this and doesn’t know that Desdemona’s father is coming to arrest him.
Act 1 Scene 2
Iago comes to Othello, and he warns Othello that Brabantio is coming to force a divorce between him and his wife. Othello sees a group of men approaching and Iago, thinking these are the men of Brabantio, advises Othello to retreat into his house. Othello on the other hand refuses to move, but the men turn out to be officers sent from the Venetian court to bring a message: the duke of Venice needs to see him urgently concerning Cyprus. As the duke’s men and Othello prepare to leave, Brabantio arrives and accuses Othello of witchcraft: he cannot imagine that his (white) daughter would willingly marry a moor, a black man, and thinks Othello has put a spell on her. He orders his men to attack Othello and his men, but before a fight begins, Othello calmly and with authority tells them to hold up their swords. After hearing that Othello is going to meet the Duke, Brabantio insists on joining him and bringing his case to the Duke.
Act 1 Scene 3
But here’s my husband,
And so much duty as my mother showed
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor my lord.
Desdemona
Brabantio and Othello go to meet the Duke, who is discussing the invasion of Cyprus by the Turks with other officials. Brabantio says that all state business must be stopped immediately, so that they can pass judgement on his problem. He tells them his daughter has been robbed, and initially the Duke sides with Brabantio, telling him that the law is behind him. But then Brabantio reveals it is Othello who has stolen his daughter, and the Duke becomes more sceptical. Othello tells the story of how he wooed Desdemona, and then sends for her to prove he has not put a spell on her. When Desdemona comes, Brabantio asks her who she owes obedience to, and she says Othello. They return to state business and the Duke tells Othello that the Turks are planning to attack Cyprus, and he must sail straight away to defend the island. Desdemona requests to go with him. At the end of the scene, all characters leave the stage except Iago and Roderigo, who is even more upset that Desdemona is leaving. Iago tells him to come to Cyprus with them and bring lots of money because he has a plan. Roderigo leaves and Iago makes a solilqouy: he says he suspects has slept with his wife, he says Roderigo is a fool that he shall use for his money and he outlines his plan to use Othello’s honest and trusting nature against him and convince Othello that Desdemona has slept with Cassio.
Act 2 Scene 1-2
Montano, the governor of Cyprus is looking onto the stormy sea, along with two gentleman. Montano suspects the storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet, and Cassio arrives shortly after to confirm this having seen it on his way from Venice. Voices off-stage announce the arrival of a ship and Iago, Emilia, Desdemona and Roderigo arrive at the island.. As they are waiting for Othello’s ship to arrive, Cassio insists on talking to Desdemona privately about Othello’s arrival, leading her by the hand. Iago notices this habit and plots to use this hand-holding against the lieutenant: “With as little a web as this I will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio’’. Othello arrives, greet Desdemona and announces his devotion to her and tells Iago to unload the ship. They go to the castle to plan a big feast. Meanwhile, Iago tells Roderigo that he should pick a fight with Cassio. He says Desdemona will get bored with her ‘black’ husband and his barbaric ways, but the first she will look to is Cassio, so Roderigo must discredit him first.
Act 2 Scene 3
Othello leaves Cassio on guard during the party, telling him to practice self-restraint. Othello and Desdemona leave to consummate their marriage. Iago joins Cassio and talks about Desdemona being a ‘temptress’, but Cassio is sure she is virtuous and innocent. Iago pursuades Cassio to drink and to invite some people to join them. When Cassio leaves, Iago tells the audience he will trick Cassio into disgracing himself. Cassio returns with Montano and his attendants. Soon Cassio wanders off-stage, telling his friends he isn’t drink. Once Cassio leaves, Iago tells Montano that whilst Cassio is a good soldier, he is worried about his drinking problem. Roderigo, also drunk, enters and Iago points him to Cassio. As Montano is suggesting that someone say something to Othello about Cassio’s drinking, Cassio chases Roderigo across the stage threatening to beat him. Montano steps in to stop him, Roderigo leaves and Montano tries to hold Cassio down from following him. Cassio stabs Montano, Iago cries mutiny and Othello enters with his attendants.
Othello asks what happened, and Iago and Cassio say they cannot remember. Montano insists he is in too much pain to speak but Iago should tell the story. Iago pretends to be reluctant, but eventually says that Cassio chased some man(he does not name Roderigo) across the stage when the fight between Cassio and Montano began, suggesting that the unknown man(Roderigo) must have insulted Cassio. Othello falls into the trap, and thinks Iago is trying to protect Cassio and make the story softer on him. Othello dismisses Cassio from his service. Othello leaves and only Iago and Cassio remain. Cassio is regretful that his actions have damaged his reputation, and Iago suggests that he appeal to Desdemona because she has Othello’s attention and goodwill. Iago says that her kindness will help him. When Cassio leaves, Iago jokes that his villainy involves counselling Cassio to a course of action that would actually help him. He tells the audience the does the most even when he seems the most good.
Act 3 Scene 1-2
Cassio sends musicians to play beneath Othello’s window, but Othello sends his servant to tell them to go away. Cassio asks the servant to beg Emilia, Iago’s wife, to come to speak to him so that he can ask Emilia to speak to Desdemona on his behalf. When the servant leaves, Iago enters and tells Cassio that he and Emilia will find a way to distract Othello so that he can speak to Desdemona alone. Emilia invites Cassio into her room and tells him to wait for Desdmona.
Meanwhile, Othello, Iago and few of the gentleman of Cypress walk around the city to inspect the defences and deliver some letters.
Act 3 Scene 3
Desdemona, Cassio and Emilia meet. Desdemona’s tells Cassio she will do everything she can to help him, when suddenly Othello and Iago enter. Cassio quickly leaves, saying he feels too ashamed to help himself. Othello asks whether it was Cassio he saw leaving the room, and Iago comments that surely Cassio would not act like a guilty man when Othello approached. Desdemona then begs Othello to forgive Cassio and return him to service. She criticises Othello for responding to her request so grudgingly and hesitantly. Othello asks for some time to think alone, and Desdemona leaves. However, Iago is still in the room and he begins to suggest an affair between Cassio and Desdemona, reminding Othello that Cassio was the man that served as a ‘go-between’ or intermediary during their courtship. Othello asks Iago if he thinks Cassio is honest, and Iago pretends to be reluctant to answer.By himself, Othello wonders whether his wife still loves him, as he thinks himself too old, black and lacking the manners of a courtier.
Haply for I am black,
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have; or for I am declined
Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much—
She’s gone.
Othello
Emilia and Desdemona enter to tell Othello he is expected at dinner, but complains of a sore head. Desdemona tries to bind his head with her handkerchief but he pushes it away, saying it is too small. It drops to the floor and they forget about it. Othello and Desdemona leave, and Emilia notices the handkerchief and picks it up, remarking that her husband had asked her to steal it a hundred times. She gives it to him and Iago is ecstatic. He plans to plant it in Cassio’s room. Suddenly Othello enters and attacks Iago, saying it is better to be deceived completely than to suspect it without proof. Iago says it would impossible to catch Cassio and Desdemona having sex, but that he can provide circumstantial evidence: He tells Othello and when he and Cassio shared a bed as soldiers, Cassio dreamt of Desdemona, cried out her name, kissed Iago on the lips and put his leg on Iago’s thigh. Next, he says he has seen Cassio wipe his forehead with Desdemona’s handkerchief, the first gift that Othello gave to Desdemona. Convinced, Othello cries out for blood and Iago vows to help him. Iago is made lieutenant
Act 3 Scene 4
Othello enters to meet Desdemona and Emilia, and immediately asks Desdemona for her handkerchief. He tells her the history of the handkerchief: an Egyptian sorceress gave it to his mother and told her that it would make her desirable and keep Othello’s father loyal, bt if she lost it or gave it away, Othello’s father would leave her. Desdemona cannot produce the handkerchief and Othello leaves with much anger. Emilia comments on the fickleness of men. Cassio and Iago enter and continue to press Desdemona for her help, but she comments that Cassio’s timing is bad because Othello is in a terrible mood. Emilia speculates he is jealous, but Desdemona insists it is some political matter.
Act 4Scene 1
After much questioning, Iago finally tells Othello that Cassio has slept with Desdemona. Cassio enters, and Iago tells Othello to hide and see for himself: he will get Cassio to admit he has slept with Desdemona. Then, as an aside, Iago tells the audience he will joke with Cassio about Cassio’s involvement with a prostitute called Bianca. Othello will be driven mad, thinking he is talking about Desdemona.
The plan works. Othello decides to kill Cassio and Desdemona.
Desdemona enters with Lodovico, who has come from Venice with a message from the Duke. Othello reads the message with tells him to come back to Venice, and is upset to leave his post. Desdemona expresses her happiness at going home, and Othello strikes her. Lodovico is amazed that this is the same Othello he knew in Venice, and he wonders whether Othello is mad. Iago tells him to see for himself.
Act 4Scene 2-3
Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona and then sends her to get Desdemona. When they are alone, Othello confronts Desdemona and insists she has betrayed him. When she denies it, he leaves, angrily. Emilia and Desdemona send for Iago to try to explain what has happened, but Iago insists it is just official business that is making Othello mad. Meanwhile, Roderigo talks to Iago about his frustrated love and Iago tells him that he must kill Cassio: Cassio will take Othello’s place and that Othello is being sent to Africa.
During dinner, Othello sends Desdemona to bed and says he will be with her shortly after talking to Lodovico. Desdemona seems to know she will die and asks Emilia to be buried in her wedding sheets.