Roderigo is angry with Iago for not informing him about Othello's marriage to Desdemona.
Iago reveals his hatred for Othello, who has promoted Cassio instead of him.
Iago and Roderigo go to Brabantio to inform him of Desdemona's secret marriage to Othello.
Scene II: Another Street
Characters Introduced: Othello, Brabantio, Cassio
Plot Points:
Iago warns Othello about Brabantio's anger.
Othello is confident in his service to the state.
Brabantio confronts Othello about his marriage to Desdemona.
Scene III: A Council-Chamber
Characters Introduced: Duke of Venice, Senators
Plot Points:
Discussion about the Turkish threat.
Brabantio accuses Othello of using witchcraft.
Othello defends himself by recounting his courtship with Desdemona.
Desdemona confirms her love for Othello.
Othello is ordered to Cyprus; Desdemona is to stay with him.
Act II
Scene I: Cyprus, A Sea-port
Characters Introduced: Montano, Cassio, Desdemona
Plot Points:
A storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet.
Othello arrives safely; reunion with Desdemona.
Iago begins to plot against Othello by manipulating Roderigo and targeting Cassio.
Scene III: A Hall in the Castle
Characters Introduced: Othello, Iago, Cassio
Plot Points:
Iago gets Cassio drunk, leading to a fight.
Othello removes Cassio from his position.
Iago suggests to Cassio to seek Desdemona's help to regain Othello's favor.
Act III
Scene III: The Garden of the Castle
Plot Points:
Desdemona agrees to help Cassio.
Iago sows seeds of doubt in Othello's mind about Desdemona's fidelity.
Iago hints at an affair between Cassio and Desdemona.
Act IV
Scene I: Cyprus, Before the Castle
Plot Points:
Iago continues to manipulate Othello’s jealousy.
Othello becomes convinced of Desdemona’s infidelity.
Othello decides to kill Desdemona.
Scene II: A Room in the Castle
Characters Introduced: Emilia
Plot Points:
Othello confronts Desdemona and accuses her of infidelity.
Desdemona is confused and denies any wrongdoing.
Emilia states that Desdemona is innocent.
Act V
Scene I: Cyprus, A Street
Plot Points:
Iago orchestrates an attack on Cassio by Roderigo.
Cassio is wounded; Roderigo is killed by Iago.
Scene II: A Bedchamber in the Castle
Plot Points:
Othello confronts and kills Desdemona.
Emilia exposes Iago’s plot.
Othello realizes his mistake and kills himself.
Iago is arrested.
Themes
Jealousy: Central to the plot, driving Iago's manipulations and Othello’s tragic downfall.
Appearance vs. Reality: Iago’s deceit and Othello’s misguided perceptions.
Race and Discrimination: Othello’s status as a Moor and its impact on relationships.
Important Symbols
Handkerchief: Symbol of Othello’s love for Desdemona and the key to Iago’s manipulation.
The Willow Song: Symbolizes Desdemona’s innocence and foreshadows her fate.
Key Quotes
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” – Iago
“My life upon her faith!” – Othello
“I am not what I am.” – Iago
Conclusion
The play concludes with Othello’s realization and suicide, Iago’s arrest, and Desdemona’s tragic death as a consequence of manipulation and mistrust.