Othello Themes

Othello Themes

1. Love

   • Faithfulness
     • Power
     • Loyalty
   • Jealously
   • Adultery
     • Obedience

2. Sisterhood

   • Romance
   • Comradeship

3. Deception

   • Racial Issues
   • Manipulation

4. Act One

   • Scene One: Iago and Roderigo go and tell Desdemona's father, Brabantio, that Desdemona has eloped with the Moor Othello. Iago expresses his hatred towards Othello.
   • Scene Two: Brabantio finds Othello and demands that he pay for 'stealing' his daughter and 'enchanting' her. Cassio then arrives and informs Othello that The Duke needs him in council, so Brabantio demands that they all go and let The Duke make his own judgement on Brabantio's situation.
   • Scene Three: The Venetian State has recieved news from Cyprus that the Turks are attempting to wage war and take Cyprus as their own. Othello and Brabantio enter, the Duke is pleased because he believes that he will be able to reclaim/protect Cyprus. Brabantio, however wants to discuss how Othello has eloped with his daughter and wants Othello to be punished. Othello explains that Desdemona fell in love with him because she pitied him for his past endeavours, and he fell in love with her because she pitied him. He asks Desdemona to be sent for and explain, when she arrives she tells her father that she loves Othello and she hasn't been manipulated. Brabantio is devastated, but urges for the council to continue. The Duke informs Othello that he must leave for Cyprus immediately, and Desdemona demands to go with him. Roderigo and Iago meet again to conspire and Iago reveals to the audience his plan to ruin Othello.

5. Act Two

   • Scene One: Desdemona and the party arrive in Cyprus. Othello returns from the war safely and the Turks are defeated. Othello insists that everyone celebrate.
     • Scene Two: The Herald announces that everyone is to celebrate the defeat against the Turks.
     • Scene Third: Cassio, Iago, Montano, and some other soldiers are drinking alcohol and singing. Iago has convinced Roderigo to attack Cassio, which will encourage Cassio to partake in a fight with him. Othello stops the brawl, Montano has been injured in the process and Othello demotes Cassio from lieutenant. Iago then convinces Cassio to ask Desdemona to mend the relationship between himself and Othello.

6. Pivotal Moments

   • Act Three, Scene Three
   • Act Five, Scene Two
   • Act One, Scene Three