Summary of William Shakespeare’s Othello
Othello
The play begins in Venice, where Roderigo, a rich man, and Iago, a soldier, are arguing in the street. Roderigo loves Desdemona and has been paying Iago to help him marry her. But he is angry now because Desdemona has already married Othello, a Moor (a dark-skinned general in the Venetian army).
Iago secretly hates Othello because Othello chose Cassio, a young and less experienced soldier, as his lieutenant instead of him. To take revenge, Iago and Roderigo go at night to Brabanzio’s house (Desdemona’s father). They shout that Othello has stolen his daughter. Brabanzio checks and finds that Desdemona is really missing. Angry, he gathers some men to catch Othello.
Iago, not wanting Othello to know his real nature, quickly goes to Othello before Brabanzio arrives. Then Cassio comes with a message from the Duke of Venice—Othello is needed because the Turks are planning to attack Cyprus. Soon after, Brabanzio arrives and accuses Othello of using magic to steal his daughter. But Othello says he will explain everything to the Duke.
At the Duke’s court, Othello calmly tells his story. He says Desdemona fell in love with him because of his stories about his adventures and battles, not because of witchcraft. Desdemona enters and confirms that she married Othello out of love. The Duke believes them both. Brabanzio is unhappy but accepts the truth. The Duke then sends Othello to Cyprus to defend it from the Turks. Desdemona asks to go with her husband, and permission is granted.
In Cyprus
The next day in Cyprus, people wait for news. They learn that the Turkish fleet has sunk in a storm, so the island is safe. Cassio arrives first, followed by Iago, Roderigo, Desdemona, and Emilia (Iago’s wife). When Othello arrives, everyone celebrates.
Iago notices Cassio holding Desdemona’s hand politely and decides to use this small thing to make Othello jealous. He tells Roderigo to pick a fight with Cassio during the evening’s party so that Cassio loses his position. That night, Iago gets Cassio drunk and sends Roderigo to provoke him. Cassio fights and even injures Montano, the governor.
Othello comes to stop the fight and removes Cassio from his post. Cassio feels very sad because his good name and job are gone. Iago pretends to comfort him and suggests he ask Desdemona to talk to Othello for him. When Cassio leaves, Iago tells the audience that he will make Othello believe Cassio and Desdemona are in love.
The Handkerchief Plot
Cassio tries to speak to Desdemona. She kindly agrees to help him get his job back. When Othello sees Cassio leaving her, Iago uses this to create suspicion in Othello’s mind. Slowly, Othello becomes jealous and angry.
When Desdemona tries to calm him, she offers him a handkerchief, the first gift he ever gave her. Othello lets it fall. Emilia (Iago’s wife) picks it up and gives it to Iago, who had asked for it many times. Iago puts the handkerchief in Cassio’s room to make it look like Desdemona gave it to him.
Later, Iago tells Othello that Cassio has used Desdemona’s handkerchief and even wiped his beard with it. Othello believes him and swears revenge. He demands the handkerchief from Desdemona, but she cannot find it. This makes him even angrier.
Cassio finds the handkerchief and asks his lover Bianca, a prostitute, to copy the design. This becomes more “proof” for Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful.
Othello’s Jealousy and Tragedy
Othello becomes so jealous that he faints. Iago then makes him hide and secretly listen to a conversation between Iago and Cassio. Iago makes Cassio laugh about Bianca, but Othello thinks Cassio is laughing about Desdemona. When Bianca enters angrily with the handkerchief, Othello becomes sure that Desdemona has betrayed him.
Later, Lodovico, a Venetian nobleman, arrives with a letter calling Othello back to Venice and making Cassio the new governor. Othello loses control and strikes Desdemona in public.
That night, he accuses her of being a sinner and refuses to believe her innocence. Iago keeps lying and says Othello is only upset about work. But Othello tells Desdemona to go to bed and wait for him.
Meanwhile, Iago tells Roderigo to kill Cassio, saying this will help him get Desdemona. Roderigo attacks Cassio but fails. Cassio wounds Roderigo, and Iago secretly wounds Cassio too. When people come, Iago pretends to be shocked and kills Roderigo to hide the truth.
The Final Scene
Othello enters his bedroom and finds Desdemona sleeping. He wakes her and tells her to pray before she dies. She begs for her life and says she has done nothing wrong, but Othello smothers her.
Then Emilia enters and tells him that Roderigo is dead. When Othello asks about Cassio, she says Cassio is still alive. Desdemona, with her last breath, says she killed herself, trying to protect her husband.
When Emilia learns the truth, she reveals that Iago made her steal the handkerchief. Othello finally realizes he was tricked. Iago stabs Emilia and runs away but is caught. Othello, heartbroken, makes a speech about his life and stabs himself. He dies beside Desdemona.
Lodovico ends the play by ordering Iago to be executed and giving Othello’s property to Graziano, Desdemona’s uncle.
The play Othello shows how jealousy, lies, and lack of trust can destroy love, friendship, and life. It teaches that we should think carefully before believing others’ words.
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