Othello
The events in the order the book tells them.
Act I
- Scene I1
The passed-over ensign
On a Venetian street, at night, Iago tells Roderigo that he hates the general Othello because he gave the lieutenancy to Cassio, and that he serves him only out of convenience.
- Scene I2
The night accusation
Iago and Roderigo shout under Brabantio's window that his daughter has run off with the Moor. Iago vanishes before the father comes down, and Brabantio sets out in search of the couple.
- Scene II3
The general who will not hide
Iago warns Othello that Brabantio can undo the marriage. Othello refuses to hide and trusts his own valor, and soon the Duke's urgent summons arrives, followed by an armed Brabantio.
- Scene III4
The Senate and the Turkish fleet
At night, the Duke and the senators conclude that the Turkish fleet will attack Cyprus and that they need Othello. Brabantio interrupts and accuses the general of having won his daughter with spells.
- Scene III5
The story of the courtship
Othello answers by recounting how Brabantio used to invite him to tell of his life of battles and captivity, and how Desdemona, listening, came to love him for the dangers he had lived through. That was the only spell he used.
- Scene III6
The divided duty
Called before the Senate, Desdemona confirms the marriage and says her duty is divided between her father and her husband. Brabantio gives up and warns Othello that whoever deceived the father can deceive him.
- Scene III7
Iago's plan
Othello sets out for Cyprus that very night, and Iago stays on as Desdemona's escort. Alone, Iago convinces Roderigo to sell his lands and plans to exploit Othello's frankness.
Act II
- Scene I8
The storm at Cyprus
In Cyprus, the governor Montano and the gentlemen watch the raging sea from the quay and receive the news that the storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet. Cassio arrives first, then Desdemona with Iago and Emilia, and last Othello.
- Scene I9
The reunion at the harbor
Othello is reunited with Desdemona in the fullness of happiness and says that if death came now, it would be the greatest joy. Iago, in an aside, promises to loosen the strings of this harmony.
- Scene II10
A night of feasting
A herald proclaims that the Turkish fleet has been destroyed and that Cyprus must celebrate, until eleven at night, the victory and Othello's marriage.
- Scene III11
Cassio's drunkenness
Posted on guard by Othello, Cassio agrees to drink with the Cypriots, even knowing he has little tolerance for wine. Provoked by Roderigo, he wounds Montano in the brawl, and the tumult wakes the general.
- Scene III12
Cassio's fall
Othello strips Cassio of the lieutenancy. Cassio laments his lost reputation, and Iago advises him to ask Desdemona for help, planning to use this to weave a net for all three.
Act III
- Scene I13
Cassio's plea
Cassio pays musicians to greet the general at dawn and, through Emilia, manages to be taken to Desdemona to ask her to intercede for him.
- Scene III14
Iago's echo
Desdemona promises to defend Cassio. When Othello arrives and Cassio hastily withdraws, Iago says “Hum, I don't like that,” and when Othello asks, he lies with “Nothing, my lord”; then, alone with the general, he insinuates doubts merely by repeating his words.
- Scene III15
The handkerchief falls
Emilia finds the handkerchief that Desdemona dropped, Othello's gift, and hands it to her husband, Iago, who had asked her many times to steal it.
- Scene III16
The dream and the handkerchief
Othello demands ocular proof, and Iago answers with a dream attributed to Cassio and with the strawberry handkerchief he says he saw Cassio use. Othello swears vengeance and names Iago lieutenant.
- Scene IV17
The handkerchief demanded
Desdemona notices the handkerchief is missing, and Othello, when he asks for it, says it has a magical origin and storms out demanding to see it. Cassio gives the handkerchief to Bianca so she can copy the pattern.
Act IV
- Scene I18
Othello's convulsion
Iago tells Othello that Cassio boasted of having lain with Desdemona, and the general, obsessively repeating the word handkerchief, falls into convulsions before him.
- Scene I19
The misunderstood conversation
Hidden, Othello hears Iago talk with Cassio about Bianca and takes Cassio's laughter for a confession about Desdemona. On recognizing the handkerchief, he decides to kill her, and Iago suggests strangling.
- Scene I20
The letter and the slap
Lodovico arrives from Venice with the Duke's letter calling Othello back, and Othello strikes Desdemona in front of him.
- Scene II21
The interrogation in the bedchamber
Othello questions Emilia, who swears to her mistress's honesty, and treats Desdemona as a whore. Iago comforts Desdemona and then restrains Roderigo, who demands the jewels, promising him a night of action.
- Scene III22
The willow song
Desdemona asks that, if she dies, they wrap her in the wedding sheets, sings the willow song and talks with Emilia, who says the blame for infidelity lies with the husbands.
Act V
- Scene I23
The ambush in the street
Iago posts Roderigo to kill Cassio. Roderigo misses his stroke and is wounded, Iago cuts Cassio's leg from behind and flees, then returns as a rescuer, kills Roderigo and accuses Bianca.
- Scene II24
The kiss before the crime
In the bedchamber, Othello kisses the sleeping Desdemona and accuses her of giving the handkerchief to Cassio. She denies it, asks for one night of life and half an hour of prayer, and Othello smothers her.
- Scene II25
Desdemona's death
Hearing the cry, Emilia draws back the curtain. Desdemona says she dies guiltless and that no one killed her, she herself, and dies. Othello admits it was he and says that Iago knew.
- Scene II26
Emilia unmasks Iago
Emilia tells how she found the handkerchief and gave it to her husband, who had asked her many times to steal it. Iago stabs her and flees, and she dies beside Desdemona.
- Scene II27
Roderigo's letters
Iago is arrested and declares that he will say nothing more. Lodovico shows letters found in Roderigo's pocket, and Cassio tells how Iago confessed to planting the handkerchief in his room.
- Scene II28
The final request
Lodovico takes command from Othello and hands it to Cassio. Othello asks that he be described as he is, a man who loved too well but without judgment, and stabs himself, dying as he kisses Desdemona.