OTHELLO

• Act 1, Scene 1

  • Roderigo and Iago inform Brabantio that his daughter, Desdemona, has eloped with Othello
  • Brabantio is outraged and goes to find Othello
• Act 1, Scene 2

  • Iago warns Othello about Brabantio's anger
  • Cassio arrives with orders for Othello from the Duke
  • Brabantio confronts Othello, accusing him of witchcraft
  • They all head to the Duke
• Act 1, Scene 3

  • The Duke and senators discuss the Turkish threat to Cyprus
  • Brabantio accuses Othello, who defends himself, explaining his love for Desdemona
  • Desdemona supports Othello's story
  • The Duke orders Othello to Cyprus to defend it
  • Iago plans to use Cassio to make Othello jealous
• Act 2, Scene 1


  • In Cyprus, a storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet
  • Othello arrives, and he and Desdemona celebrate their reunion
  • Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona will soon tire of Othello and suggests he provoke Cassio
• Act 2, Scene 2


  • A herald announces a celebration of Othello's victory and marriage
• Act 2, Scene 3


  • Iago gets Cassio drunk, leading to a brawl
  • Othello strips Cassio of his rank
  • Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona's help to regain Othello's favor, intending to use this to make Othello jealous
• Act 3, Scene 1

  • Cassio asks Desdemona for help
  • She agrees to speak to Othello on his behalf
• Act 3, Scene 2


  • Othello sends a letter back to Venice
• Act 3, Scene 3

  • Desdemona pleads for Cassio
  • Iago insinuates that Desdemona is unfaithful
  • Othello becomes jealous
  • Desdemona drops her handkerchief, which Emilia gives to Iago
  • Iago plants it with Cassio
  • Othello demands proof of Desdemona's infidelity
  • Iago lies about seeing Cassio with the handkerchief, driving Othello to rage
• Act 3, Scene 4


  • Desdemona worries about losing the handkerchief
  • Othello demands it from her, increasing her confusion
  • Cassio gives the handkerchief to Bianca, asking her to copy it
• Act 4, Scene 1

  • Iago continues to inflame Othello's jealousy, leading to a seizure
  • Othello sees Cassio with the handkerchief and resolves to kill Desdemona
  • Lodovico arrives from Venice with orders for Othello to return and Cassio to take his place
  • Othello strikes Desdemona
• Act 4, Scene 2


  • Othello questions Emilia and confronts Desdemona, accusing her of infidelity
  • Desdemona is devastated
  • Roderigo, manipulated by Iago, agrees to kill Cassio
• Act 4, Scene 3


  • Desdemona prepares for bed, singing the "Willow Song," and talks with Emilia about infidelity
• Act 5, Scene 1

  • Roderigo attacks Cassio, but is wounded
  • Iago injures Cassio and kills Roderigo
  • Othello, hearing the commotion, believes Iago has killed Cassio and proceeds to Desdemona
• Act 5, Scene 2

  • Othello confronts Desdemona in their bedroom and, despite her pleas, smothers her
  • Emilia reveals Iago's plot
  • Othello, realizing his error, wounds Iago and kills himself
  • Cassio is appointed as the new governor of Cyprus