Othello: Key scenes

Othello: Key scenes

1. Act 1 Scene1

   • 1: Roderigo and Iago are in an argument because Rodrigo paid Iago to help him be with Desdemona but she is now eloped to Othello
   • 2: Iago assures Rodrigo of his hatred towards Othello as he gave a promotion of lieutenant Cassio even though he had more experience
   • 3: Iago says he is pretending to serve Othello but he is only looking out for himself, " in following i but follow myself"
   • 4:they both go to Brabantio house they yell out on the street saying he has been robbed, he rushes out but see Rodrigo who he has told to stop pursuing Desdemona. Iago whom he doesn't know says Othello and Desdemona are with each other, "an old black ram is tupping your white ewe", Brabantio searches the house for Desdemona worried because he had a "dream". Iago leaves to carry on his plot against Othello
   • 5: Brabantio emerges from his house not finding Desdemona, he claims she was stolen by magic and he wishes she had married Rodrigo. They set off to raise an armed search party to confront othello

2. Act 1 Scene 3

   • 1:Duke of Venice meets with senators about Turkish invasion of Cyprus and discuss how to repel the attack
   • 2: Othello and Brabantio enter, Brabantio demands the man who corrupted his daughter with spells and potions so that he could marry her should be prosecuted, the Duke agreed but when he found out it was othello he decidee to let him defend himself
   • 3: Desdemona arrives and supports othellos claims of their love and marriage ands Desdemona says just as her mother once had to shift her obedience from her father to Brabantio she must do the same for Othello and Brabantio grudgingly accepts Desdemonas choice
   • 4: Duke says Othello must go to Cypurus to lead the defense against the Turks. Othello decides that Desdemona will follow after him in Iagos care
   • 5: Iago lays out a plan to decieve the other characters by saying Othello has slept with Emilia and Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. he is going to exploit Othello by his belief in honest people

3. Act 2 Scene 3

   • 1:Othello instructs Cassio to make sure the festivities are kept under control as he leaves to consummate his marriage with Desdemona
   • 2: Iago tries to convince Cassio to seduce Desdemona but Cassio ignores here and takes people at face value. Unable to manipulate Cassio with words he tries to get him to drink alcohol but refuses and lets in whoever is at the door
   • 3:Alone, Iago addresses the audience, Roderigo and three men of Cyrpus are at the dorr who are all touchy about their honor and made sure to get them drunk. Once he has also gotten Cassio drunk, he will provke Cassio to offend the people of Cyprus.
   • 4:Cassio returns with Montano, he gets drunk and exits off stage, While Cassio is gone, Iago speaks with Montano, telling him that Cassio is a great soldier, but that he has a drinking problem and may not be able to handle the task given by Othello. Montano says they should report this to Othello, but Iago says that he cares for Cassio to do that. Meanwhile, Iago sends Roderigo off to pick a fight with Cassio.
   • 5: Cassio chases Rodrigo cursing him out, Montano intervenes and ends up fighting Cassio and get injured, Rodrigo sounds the alarm. Othello enters and immediately puts an end to the fight and asks what happened they say they dont know but Montano says Iago knows
   • 6: Iago explains that Cassio chased after an unkown man (Rodrigo) cursing at him with his sword drawn, Montana stepped in and got injured and the unknown man escaped. Othello respects how Iago told the story to make Cassio seem good but he must dismiss him as an officer
   • 7: Othello leaves, Cassio is in despair after losing his reputation and says that he plans to ask Othello to return him to his position. Iago suggest that he speak with Desdemona to to try convince Othello as she is sure to help, Cassio leaves and Iago delivers another soliloquy saying when Desdemona tries to help Cassio he is going to try convince Othello that she isnt doing it out of the goodness of her own heart
   • 8: Rodrigo returns angry and beaten by Cassio and almost all his money gone to Iago but doesn't have Desdemona. Iago says to be
   • 8:Rodrigo returns angry beaten and still doesn't have Desdemona. Iago says plans like this take time Rodrigo exits, Iago plans to set up a meeting between Cassio and Desdemona and have Othello watch

4. Act 3 Scene 3

   • 1: Desdemona assures Cassio that she will help regain his position, then Othello and Iago enter Cassio is ashamed and cant speak to Othello so he leaves. Desdemona approaches Othello asking him to give Cassio back his position Othello promises soon but Desdemona is annoyed with no definite time. Othello asks her for some time to himself and she leaves
   • 2:Othello and iago are alone and demands what Iagos suspicions are and he plant the idea of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona in Othellos head. Iago says his suspicion may be false but says Desdemona deceived her father already, Othello claims to not be jealous but he is.
   • 3: Othello alone worrys that it is unrealistic for Desdemona to love him because of who he is. Desdemona enters a tells him it is time for dinner, she trys to soothe him with her handkerchief but he says it is to small and drops it and leave for dinner. Emilia picks up the handkerchief as Iago wants it