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Othello. By William Shakespeare. Main Characters. Othello – the Moor of Venice Desdemona – Othello’s wife Iago – Othello’s ensign Roderigo – a jealous suitor Brabanzio – Desdemona’s father, Senator of Venice Cassio – Othello’s Lieutenant
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Othello By William Shakespeare
Main Characters • Othello – the Moor of Venice • Desdemona – Othello’s wife • Iago – Othello’s ensign • Roderigo – a jealous suitor • Brabanzio – Desdemona’s father, Senator of Venice • Cassio – Othello’s Lieutenant • Emilia – Desdemona’s attendant and Iago’s wife • Duke of Venice – the authority in Venice.
Act I Venice…Iago’s plan…
Act I – Scene 1 • Venice • Iago and Roderigo are arguing about money and Desdemona. • Desdemona has recently married the general Othello, who Iago serves. • We learn that Iago was passed over and hates Othello. • They end up at Brabanzio’s house where Iago tells him his daughter has been “stolen.” • Brabanzio gets upset and takes a detail of men out to find his daughter and Othello.
Act I – Scene 2 • At Othello’s Place • Iago is already there and they see a detail of men approaching. • Iago believes it is Brabanzio so he advises Othello to retreat indoors. • Othello stands his ground and it turns out to be Cassio and the Duke’s men – Othello is invited to see the Duke. • Then Brabanzio and his men arrive – and a fight almost breaks out. • But Othello calmly tells them to wait – and they all decide to go see the Duke.
Act I – Scene III • The Duke’s Palace • The Duke is discussing the invasion of the Turks. • Brabanzio accuses Othello of stealing his wife with magic – Othello admits he is married to Desdemona, but under her own free will. • Desdemona enters – and confirms that she married Othello of her own free-will. • The Duke orders Othello to Cyprus to defend against the Turks – Desdemona decides to go with him. • Iago’s first soliloquy
Act II The drunken celebration…
Act II – Scene 1 • The Shores of Cyprus • The is a storm and The governor, Montano, is uncertain if Othello’s ship will survive. • Iago, Emilia, Desdemona and Cassio all arrive safely – Iago sees Cassio take Desdemona’s hand… • Othello arrive safely and greets Desdemona. • Iago tells Roderigo that Cassio is interested in Desdemona – and convinces him to start a fight with him. • Iago’s second soliloquy.
Act II – Scene 2 • The Celebration! • Othello declares a celebration because of the safety of Cyprus…and his marriage to Desdemona!
Act II – Scene 3 • On Guard Duty • Othello leaves Cassio in charge of security during the festivities – then leaves to consummate his marriage. • Iago shows up and tries to convince Cassio that Desdemona is a temptress. • Iago tells Cassio to have a drink and to invite some more people. • Cassio stumbles off-stage drunk – and Iago tells Montano that he thinks he has too much responsibility for someone with a drinking problem…
Act II – Scene 3 (cont’) • Roderigo enters, and Montano suggests that something be said to Othello of Cassio’s drinking problem. • Cassio chases Roderigo across the stage, threatening to beat him. • Montano steps in to prevent the fight and is attacked by Cassio. • As Montano and others attempt to hold Cassio down, Cassio stabs Montano. Othello is called. • After much discussion – Othello falls into Iago’s trap and dismisses Cassio. • Iago laughs to the audience about how in doing “good” he is really evil…
Act III The Dreaded Handkerchief!!!
Act III – Scene 1 • At Othello’s • Cassio tries to get back into Othello’s good books. • Othello wants nothing to do with him. • Iago intervenes and arranges for a private meeting between Cassio and Desdemona.
Act III – Scene 2 • The Citadel • Iago, Othello, and a gentleman walk together at the citadel. • Othello gives Iago some letters to deliver and decides to take a look at the town’s fortifications.
Act III – Scene 3 • In the Citadel • Othello walks in on Desdemona, Emilia and Cassio – Cassio leaves quickly. • Othello is not sure if it was Cassio he saw – but Desdemona begs him to re-instate Cassio. • Iago starts insinuating that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. • Othello is full of doubt – believing he is to “black” for someone as beautiful and fair as Desdemona. • The sleeping story and the handkerchief?
Act III – Scene 4 • In the Citadel • Desdemona and Emilia send message to Cassio – Desdemona wonders where her handkerchief might be. • Othello enters and asks to borrow her handkerchief…a long story…When she cannot produce it – Othello gets angry! • Cassio arrives and Desdemona tells him Othello is in a bad mood – Emilia thinks he is jealous. • Bianca enters and Cassio asks her to copy a handkerchief he found in his bedroom.
Act IV The madness of Othello
Act IV – Scene 1 • Othello’s Rage • Iago goads Othello with stories about nakedness and handkerchiefs – finally Iago tells Othello what Cassio told him…He loses it. • Cassio arrives and Iago tells Othello to hide and watch Cassio’s face as they talk – Iago actually talks to him about Bianca. • Othello is beside himself with rage and starts contemplating killing his wife. • Othello is really pissed. He hits Desdemona. People wonder if he is mad.
Act IV – Scene 2 • “The Cunning Whore” • Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona. • Desdemona tries to find out from Iago why Othello is treating her as such. • Roderigo enters and is angry that Iago has not delivered – Iago lies to him. • He convinces Roderigo to kills Cassio…
Act IV – Scene 3 • Bedtime • Othello sends Desdemona to bed – she seems prepared for what is about to happen. • She sings – and talk about how she would rather meet bad deeds with good deeds.
Act V The bedroom scene…
Act V – Scene 1 • “This is the fruits of whoring…” • Iago and Roderigo plan to ambush Cassio on his way out of the brothel. • Roderigo and Iago stab Cassio – Othello hears the commotion. • Iago pretends to “find” Cassio and his assailant – who he stabs without hesitation.
Act V – Scene 2 • The Death Scene • Holding a candle, Othello stands over the sleeping Desdemona and prepares to kill her. • They talk – Othello accuses her of sleeping with Cassio, who is dead, Desdemona weeps for him (which doesn’t help the situation…) • Othello smothers Desdemona. • (There is a really confusing death scene which makes little sense) • Emilia calls for help!
Act V – Scene 2 (cont’) • The Death Scene • Iago’s treachery is revealed through Emilia’s confession • Everything about the handkerchief is also told. • In the commotion Iago stabs his wife. • Iago is caught – and Othello kills him. • The guards tell Othello he will be taken back to Venice and out on trial. • Othello says “I took by the throat the circumcised dog / and smote him thus” – and stabs himself.