Lecture Notes: Othello by William Shakespeare

Overview

Main Character: Othello, a Moor and military general in Venice.
Plot Summary:
- Othello marries Desdemona, a Venetian woman.
- Iago, an officer under Othello, deceives him into believing Desdemona is unfaithful.
- Othello kills Desdemona out of jealousy and subsequently kills himself.

Setting: Nighttime in Venice.
Key Characters Introduced:
- Rodrigo: In love with Desdemona, angry with Iago.
- Iago: Hates Othello for being passed over for promotion.
- Brabantio: Desdemona’s father, accuses Othello of witchcraft.
Main Events:
- Iago and Rodrigo wake Brabantio to tell him about Desdemona’s marriage to Othello.
- Brabantio accuses Othello of using witchcraft.
- The Duke of Venice supports Othello after Desdemona professes her love.

Setting: Cyprus, after a storm destroys the Turkish fleet.
Key Characters:
- Michael Cassio: Othello's second-in-command.
Main Events:
- Feast to celebrate the victory and Othello's marriage.
- Iago gets Cassio drunk, leads to a fight with Montano.
- Othello strips Cassio of his rank.
- Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona’s help.

Main Events:
- Iago plants jealousy in Othello’s mind regarding Cassio and Desdemona.
- Desdemona drops a handkerchief which Emilia gives to Iago.
- Iago uses the handkerchief as "proof" of the affair.

Main Events:
- Othello questions Desdemona about the handkerchief.
- Othello has a fit; Iago manipulates a conversation with Cassio.
- Bianca returns the handkerchief to Cassio, witnessed by Othello.
- Othello decides to kill Desdemona.