scene summaries OTHELLO

Act 1 Scene 1

• -Cassio promoted in Othello's Army
• -Iago unhappy with the decision
• -Iago and Rodrigo tell Brabantio that Desdemona has run off with Othello
• KEY LINES
• "Preferment goes by letter and afffection" IAGO
• "By which the property of youth and maidhood may be abused?" BRABANTIO

Act 1 Scene 2

• -Iago and Othello seen together being friendly
• -Brabantio and Othello argue
• KEY LINES
• "O thou foul theif, where has thou stowed my daughter?" BRABANTIO

Act 1 Scene 3

Act 2 Scene 1

• -Soldiers talk about Othello coming back from war
• -Iago and Desdemona enter a sparring match about women
• -Cassio says Iago speaks directly
• -Iago remarks on the closeness between Cassio and Desdemona
• -Cassio sees Desdemona for her beauty, but that she belongs with Othello

Act 2 Scene 2

Act 2 Scene 3

Act 3 Scene 1

• -Cassio sent musicians to play to win back Othello's good favour
• -Iago promises Cassio to lure Othello away from Desdemona so he can speak to her on her own
• -Cassio praises Iago for his kindness and honesty
• -Emilia enters and reports Desdemona is already pleading to Othello on Cassio's behalf

Act 3 Scene 2

• -Othello and Iago in the citadel
• -Othello is then off to inspect fornifications
• -Allows Cassio to have private and incriminating time with Desdemona

Act 3 Scene 3

• -Desdemona speaks of Cassio to Othello, and he agrees to see him
• -Othello denies to Iago that he would give himself to jealousy
• -Othello voices fears that Brabantio was right and Desdemona couldn't love him
• -When Desdemona re enters Othello watches her intently
• -Going to dinner, Emilia picks up the fallen handkerchief and Iago takes it from her
• -Iago tells Othello in private that Cassio spoke in his sleep calling for Desdemona and cursing the Moor
• -Iago also tells him he's seen Cassio use the handkerchief embroidered with strawberries
• -Othello dismisses love and calls for vengeance
• -Othello wants Cassio dead and Iago agrees to do it

Act 3 Scene 4

Act 4 Scene 1

Act 4 Scene 2

Act 4 Scene 3

Act 5 Scene 1

Act 5 Scene 2