Very Short Summary
Venice, late 16th century. Against her father's wishes, Desdemona secretly married Othello, a Moorish general in Venice's military.
Othello's ensign Iago, passed over for promotion in favor of Cassio, plotted revenge against his commander. He manipulated events to make Othello believe Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio.
Through careful scheming, Iago planted Desdemona's handkerchief in Cassio's lodging and convinced Othello that this was proof of her infidelity. Consumed by jealousy, Othello ordered Cassio's death and resolved to kill Desdemona.
In their bedroom, Othello smothered Desdemona despite her protests of innocence. When Emilia, Iago's wife, revealed the truth about the handkerchief, Othello realized his terrible mistake. Before killing himself, he spoke his final words:
Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well;
Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought...
After Othello's suicide, Iago's plot was fully exposed. Cassio survived an assassination attempt, and Iago, though wounded, was captured. Cassio became the new governor of Cyprus, and Iago was imprisoned to face torture and execution.
Detailed Summary by Acts and Scenes
Act titles and scene descriptions are editorial.
Act 1. The Beginning of Iago's Plot
Scene 1. Iago Reveals His Hatred
On a Venice street, Roderigo and Iago discussed Othello's secret marriage to Desdemona. Iago expressed his hatred for Othello, who had promoted Michael Cassio to lieutenant instead of him, despite Iago's years of service. He revealed his plan to continue serving Othello while secretly working against him.
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.
Scene 2. Othello Faces Brabantio's Anger
Othello was confronted by Brabantio, Desdemona's father, who accused him of stealing his daughter through witchcraft. Meanwhile, Othello was summoned by the Duke of Venice for an urgent matter concerning Cyprus. When Brabantio's men found Othello, he remained calm and dignified, agreeing to explain himself before the Senate.
Scene 3. Love Triumphs Before the Senate
Before the Senate, Othello eloquently explained how he won Desdemona's love through the stories of his life and adventures, not through witchcraft. Desdemona confirmed her love for Othello and her willing choice to marry him. The Duke sided with the couple, and Brabantio was forced to accept the marriage.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
And I loved her that she did pity them.
This only is the witchcraft I have used.
Act 2. Arrival in Cyprus and First Moves
Scene 1. Reunion in Cyprus
In Cyprus, after a dangerous sea voyage, Cassio, Iago, and Desdemona arrived safely. When Othello finally landed, he and Desdemona shared a joyful reunion. Iago began implementing his plan by convincing Roderigo that Desdemona would soon tire of Othello and turn to Cassio. He suggested that Roderigo should provoke Cassio into a fight to disgrace him.
Scene 2. Proclamation of Victory
A herald announced the destruction of the Turkish fleet and declared a public celebration of both the victory and Othello's marriage to Desdemona. The people of Cyprus were invited to feast and make merry until eleven o'clock that night.
Scene 3. Cassio's Fall from Grace
Iago executed his plan by getting Cassio drunk while on guard duty. As predicted, Roderigo provoked Cassio into a fight, causing a public disturbance. Montano tried to intervene but was wounded by Cassio. When Othello arrived to investigate, Iago pretended reluctance but gave a damaging account of the events. Othello stripped Cassio of his lieutenancy. Iago then advised the disgraced Cassio to seek Desdemona's help in regaining Othello's favor, knowing this would fuel his planned deception.
Act 3. The Poison of Jealousy
Scene 1. Cassio's Appeal to Desdemona
Following Iago's advice, Cassio enlisted Desdemona's help to regain his position. She promised to plead his case with Othello and not rest until the two men were reconciled. Meanwhile, Iago used this interaction to plant seeds of suspicion in Othello's mind.
Scene 2. Cyprus Affairs
Othello gave Iago letters to deliver to the Senate and announced his intention to inspect Cyprus's fortifications. This brief scene set the stage for the devastating events to follow.
Scene 3. Iago's Manipulation Takes Hold
Iago began his psychological manipulation of Othello, suggesting that Desdemona's persistent appeals on Cassio's behalf indicated a deeper relationship between them. He pretended reluctance to speak but planted devastating doubts in Othello's mind. When Desdemona dropped her handkerchief, Emilia found it and gave it to Iago, who had often asked her to steal it.
O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-ey'd monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger.
Scene 4. The Fatal Handkerchief
Othello demanded to see the handkerchief he had given Desdemona, his first gift to her. When she couldn't produce it, he told her of its magical origins and importance. Meanwhile, Iago planted the handkerchief in Cassio's lodging. Cassio, finding it, gave it to his mistress Bianca to copy its embroidery pattern, unwittingly advancing Iago's plot.
Act 4. Descent into Madness
Scene 1. Othello's Public Breakdown
Iago continued to torment Othello with suggestive stories about Cassio and Desdemona. He arranged for Othello to witness a conversation with Cassio about Bianca, but led Othello to believe they were discussing Desdemona. The sight of Bianca with the handkerchief convinced Othello of his wife's infidelity. When Lodovico arrived with letters from Venice, Othello's unstable behavior and public striking of Desdemona shocked everyone.
O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon.
Scene 2. Confrontation with Desdemona
Othello interrogated Emilia about Desdemona's fidelity, then confronted Desdemona herself, calling her a whore. Despite her protestations of innocence, he refused to believe her. Iago continued his manipulation by comforting Cassio and Roderigo separately, pushing each toward their destruction.
Scene 3. The Willow Song
As Desdemona prepared for bed, she sang the 'Willow Song' to Emilia, remembering a maid who died of love. She and Emilia discussed whether women ever cheat on their husbands, with Emilia offering a worldly perspective while Desdemona maintained her innocent outlook. The scene's melancholy foreshadowed the tragedy to come.
Act 5. Tragic Resolution
Scene 1. Violence in the Dark
Following Iago's instructions, Roderigo attempted to kill Cassio but only wounded him. Iago, under cover of darkness, stabbed Cassio in the leg and killed Roderigo to silence him. When others arrived with torches, Iago pretended to discover the violence and acted as a concerned friend to all parties. Bianca's arrival and distress over Cassio's wounds added to the chaos of the scene.
Scene 2. Truth and Death
In the final scene, Othello entered Desdemona's bedroom with murder in his heart. Despite her pleas and protestations of innocence, he smothered her. Emilia discovered the crime and, despite Othello's justifications about the handkerchief, revealed Iago's plot. When Iago arrived and killed Emilia to silence her, the full truth emerged. Letters found on Roderigo's body confirmed Iago's villainy.
Put out the light, and then put out the light:
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
I can again thy former light restore,
Should I repent me; but once put out thy light...
Realizing his terrible mistake, Othello made a final speech about how he loved not wisely but too well. He then pulled out a hidden weapon and stabbed himself, falling dead beside Desdemona. Iago was arrested and taken away for torture and execution. Cassio was appointed the new governor of Cyprus. The tragedy concluded with Lodovico giving orders for the news to be reported to Venice and for Iago to be punished.