Othello Study Guide

Characters

• RoderigoNow dead, he has left letters exposing Iago's schemes, and Cassio reports that he identified Iago as his attacker before dying.First appears: Act 1, Scene 1
• IagoExposed by Emilia's account of the handkerchief, he kills her, is captured and wounded by Othello, and refuses to explain his actions.First appears: Act 1, Scene 1
• BrabantioGratiano reports that he has died of grief over Desdemona's marriage.First appears: Act 1, Scene 1
• OthelloAfter killing Desdemona and learning how Iago deceived him, he wounds Iago, loses his command and kills himself beside his wife.First appears: Act 1, Scene 2
• Michael CassioBrought in wounded, he receives Othello's apology, reports Iago's admission that he planted the handkerchief and is left ruling Cyprus with responsibility for Iago's punishment.First appears: Act 1, Scene 2
• FOFirst OfficerAn officer who confirms that the duke is in council and that Brabantio has also been summoned.First appears: Act 1, Scene 2
• The DukeHe leads the council, hears the dispute over Desdemona's marriage and sends Othello to defend Cyprus.First appears: Act 1, Scene 3
• FSFirst SenatorA member of the council who reasons that the Turkish move towards Rhodes is a distraction and asks Othello how he won Desdemona's love.First appears: Act 1, Scene 3
• SSSecond SenatorA member of the council who observes that differing reports agree on a Turkish fleet heading towards Cyprus.First appears: Act 1, Scene 3
• SThe SailorHe brings Signior Angelo's report that the Turkish force is making for Rhodes.First appears: Act 1, Scene 3
• MThe MessengerHe brings Montano's report that the Turkish fleet has joined with more ships and turned back towards Cyprus.First appears: Act 1, Scene 3
• DesdemonaShe denies giving Cassio the handkerchief and begs Othello to spare her, but dies after he stifles her, declaring her innocence while claiming that she herself is responsible for her death.First appears: Act 1, Scene 3
• MontanoHe takes Othello's sword, orders him guarded and pursues Iago after the stabbing of Emilia.First appears: Act 2, Scene 1
• FGFirst GentlemanOne of the men watching the sea with Montano, who reports that the storm prevents him from seeing a sail.First appears: Act 2, Scene 1
• SGSecond GentlemanHe describes the violent sea, then brings news that Iago has arrived and recognises the ships' gunfire as a friendly greeting.First appears: Act 2, Scene 1
• TGThird GentlemanHe reports the wreck of much of the Turkish fleet and Cassio's safe arrival, but says Othello is still at sea.First appears: Act 2, Scene 1
• FGFourth GentlemanHe reports that the townspeople have gathered by the sea and are calling out at the sight of a sail.First appears: Act 2, Scene 1
• EmiliaRefusing Iago's orders to be silent, she reveals that she gave him Desdemona's handkerchief and dies after he stabs her, still defending her mistress's faithfulness.First appears: Act 2, Scene 1
• HThe HeraldHe proclaims Othello's order for public celebrations of the Turkish fleet's destruction and the general's marriage.First appears: Act 2, Scene 2
• CThe ClownHe jokes with Cassio's musicians and pays them to stop playing, then accepts Cassio's request to summon Emilia.First appears: Act 3, Scene 1
• FMFirst MusicianOne of the musicians Cassio brings to greet the general, who answers the Clown's jokes before the group is sent away.First appears: Act 3, Scene 1
• BiancaShe grieves over the wounded Cassio, admits he supped at her house and defends her honesty when Iago casts suspicion on her and Emilia insults her.First appears: Act 3, Scene 4
• LodovicoHe presents Roderigo's letters, removes Othello's command and orders his detention, then leaves Iago's punishment to Cassio and prepares to report the deaths to Venice.First appears: Act 4, Scene 1
• GratianoDesdemona's uncle, who reports Brabantio's death, helps guard Othello and is assigned Othello's house and possessions after his death.First appears: Act 5, Scene 1

Chapter summaries

1. Act 1, Scene 1

   On a Venetian street at night, Roderigo complains to Iago, who has been using his money. Iago explains his resentment at Cassio's promotion and admits that he serves the Moor for his own advantage. Together they wake Brabantio, using cries of theft and racist sexual images to provoke him over his daughter's departure. Their language treats her choice as a loss of her father's property before she or the Moor can speak for themselves. Brabantio first rejects Roderigo's warning, then goes to check the house. Iago leaves to join the Moor and preserve his appearance of loyalty, explaining that the state needs his commander's military skills. Returning to confirm that his daughter is gone, Brabantio raises an armed search and asks whether charms could explain her behaviour.

2. Act 1, Scene 2

   Iago claims that he struggled to restrain himself from stabbing a man who insulted Othello, presenting himself as a loyal protector after helping provoke Brabantio. Othello refuses to hide, trusting that his service, rank and clear conscience will answer any complaint about his marriage. Cassio arrives with officers to summon him urgently to the duke over business apparently concerning Cyprus. Brabantio then enters with Roderigo and armed officers, calls Othello a thief and orders his arrest. When swords are drawn, Othello calmly stops both sides and offers to answer the charge. Brabantio's accusation of witchcraft rests on his refusal to believe that Desdemona could freely choose a husband he describes in racist terms. The duke's summons brings the private quarrel into the affairs of the state, and Brabantio agrees to take his complaint there.

3. Act 1, Scene 3

   The duke and senators compare conflicting reports of a Turkish fleet before concluding that Cyprus is its target. The duke initially promises punishment for the wrong Brabantio alleges, but after Othello is accused he demands evidence of witchcraft. Othello describes Desdemona's interest in his accounts of danger and suffering, and she argues that she owes her husband the same priority her mother gave Brabantio over her own father. Brabantio reluctantly yields, while Desdemona asks to accompany Othello to the war and Othello assures the council that her presence will not distract him from service. Ordered to leave that night, Othello entrusts Desdemona's journey to Iago and answers Brabantio's warning about her with complete confidence in her faithfulness. Once the couple have left, Iago persuades the despairing Roderigo to abandon suicide, raise money and pursue Desdemona. Alone, Iago admits that he profits from Roderigo, resolves to act on an unconfirmed suspicion that Othello has slept with his wife, and devises a plan to gain Cassio's post by making Othello suspect him of intimacy with Desdemona.

4. Act 2, Scene 1

   At the quay in Cyprus, Montano and the gentlemen hear that a storm has wrecked much of the Turkish fleet, but Cassio is anxious because Othello's ship has been separated from his own. Desdemona arrives with Iago, Emilia and Roderigo, and hides her worry for Othello by drawing Iago into a conversation in which he mocks women and reduces even a virtuous woman's role to raising children and recording petty household matters. Cassio's courteous attention to the women gives Iago gestures he can reinterpret as sexual interest, and an aside reveals his intention to trap Cassio through his own manners. Othello arrives, announces the end of the war and expresses overwhelming joy at seeing Desdemona, while Iago privately threatens to disturb their harmony. After the couple leave, Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona loves Cassio, arguing through racist insults that she cannot remain satisfied with Othello. Roderigo first calls Cassio's behaviour mere courtesy, but agrees to provoke him in the hope that his removal will help his own pursuit of Desdemona. In a closing soliloquy, Iago acknowledges Othello's loving nature yet describes his suspicion that Othello has slept with Emilia, voices a similar fear about Cassio, and plans revenge through jealousy.

5. Act 2, Scene 2

   A herald enters a street with a proclamation, followed by the people. He announces confirmed news of the Turkish fleet's destruction and invites everyone to celebrate in the way they prefer. The same festivities also mark Othello's marriage, bringing his private happiness into a public celebration. The proclamation sets a time limit on feasting, permitting it from five until eleven. The herald ends by blessing both Cyprus and its general, presenting the island's safety and Othello's authority together.

6. Act 2, Scene 3

   Othello leaves Cassio responsible for the guard with a warning to keep the revels within sensible limits, but Iago persuades the reluctant lieutenant to drink despite his admitted weakness for alcohol. While encouraging the company with songs and wine, Iago plans to provoke an offence and tells Montano that Cassio's drunkenness is habitual. He sends Roderigo after Cassio, who returns pursuing him, strikes him and fights Montano when Montano intervenes. After Montano is wounded, Iago sends Roderigo to cry mutiny; the alarm bell rings, and Othello enters to stop the fighting and demand an explanation of this failure of public duty. Iago conceals his own part and pretends reluctance to accuse Cassio, persuading Othello that he is softening the truth out of friendship; Othello dismisses Cassio and asks Iago to quiet the town. Cassio grieves over his reputation and accepts Iago's advice to ask Desdemona to plead for his reinstatement, unaware of Iago's privately stated plan to represent her kindness as lust. When Roderigo complains of his beating and dwindling money, Iago urges patience, then resolves to enlist Emilia's help for Cassio and arrange for Othello to find Cassio asking Desdemona for help.

7. Act 3, Scene 1

   Before the castle, Cassio arranges a musical greeting for the general, but the Clown mocks the musicians and sends them away with money and an order for silence. Cassio pays the Clown to ask Emilia for a conversation. Iago offers to send his wife and draw Othello away so that Cassio can speak to Desdemona more freely. Cassio praises Iago's kindness and honesty, creating dramatic irony after Iago's earlier admission that he means to use Desdemona's support against her. Emilia reports that Desdemona already speaks strongly for Cassio, while Othello still loves him but must consider the standing and connections of the man he wounded. Despite this reassurance, Cassio asks for a private conversation, and Emilia takes him inside.

8. Act 3, Scene 2

   In a room in the castle, Othello gives Iago letters to deliver to the pilot, through whom he sends his respects to the senate. He tells Iago to join him at the defences once this is done, and Iago agrees to obey. Othello then invites the gentlemen to inspect the fortification with him, and they agree to attend him. The brief exchange shows Othello organising public business and treating Iago as a trusted subordinate.

9. Act 3, Scene 3

   In the castle garden, Desdemona promises to win back Cassio's place, but he leaves uneasily as Othello approaches and Iago makes the departure seem guilty. After Desdemona presses Othello to receive Cassio, Iago uses pauses, repeated questions and claims about Venetian women to make Othello suspect her faithfulness. Iago treats her marriage outside her own race and rank as unnatural, and Othello's speech alone reveals fears about his colour, manners and age. When Desdemona tries to soothe his headache, he pushes away her handkerchief and it falls; Emilia picks it up to please Iago, who snatches it from her without explaining his purpose. Iago privately plans to leave it in Cassio's lodging, then answers Othello's demands for proof with a story about Cassio's dream and a claim to have seen Cassio use the handkerchief. Othello speaks of his military life as lost, accepts Iago's claims as truth and kneels to swear revenge, with Iago kneeling to pledge his service. He orders Iago to kill Cassio within three days, seeks a way to kill Desdemona and appoints Iago lieutenant.

10. Act 3, Scene 4

    Before the castle, Desdemona sends the Clown to find Cassio and worries about her missing handkerchief, still believing Othello is free from jealousy. Othello treats her moist hand as a sign of sexual appetite, demands his gift and claims that losing or giving it away can destroy a husband's love. Desdemona denies it is lost and keeps returning to Cassio's reinstatement, while Othello repeats his demand and leaves angrily. When Cassio and Iago arrive, she admits that Othello seems changed and asks Cassio to be patient; Iago acts surprised at the general's anger and goes to find him. Desdemona suggests that affairs of state explain Othello's temper, but Emilia argues that jealousy can sustain itself without a cause. After the women leave, Bianca enters and reproaches Cassio for staying away for a week. He asks her to copy the embroidery of a handkerchief he says he found in his chamber, prompting her suspicion of another woman, and asks her to leave because he does not want Othello to see him in her company.

11. Act 4, Scene 1

    Before the castle, Iago suggests that Cassio has confessed to sleeping with Desdemona, and Othello's broken speech ends in a trance. When he recovers, Iago tells him to hide nearby and watch Cassio, promising that Cassio will describe the affair but telling the audience he will ask about Bianca instead. Cassio's laughter at the idea of marrying Bianca becomes evidence of Desdemona's guilt in Othello's watching commentary, making the audience see how carefully Iago controls interpretation. Bianca's entrance with the handkerchief adds a real object to the deception, and Iago falsely claims that Desdemona gave it to Cassio. Othello moves between praise of his wife and threats to kill her, accepts Iago's suggestion of strangling her in bed and leaves Cassio's murder to him. Lodovico arrives with Desdemona and orders from Venice recalling Othello and putting Cassio in his place; when Desdemona speaks for Cassio and welcomes the news, Othello strikes her. After Othello dismisses her and leaves, Lodovico questions the general's self-control, while Iago pretends reluctance to criticise him and encourages Lodovico to observe his conduct.

12. Act 4, Scene 2

    In the castle, Emilia tells Othello that she has neither seen nor suspected wrongdoing between Cassio and Desdemona, but he dismisses her testimony as the concealment of a brothel keeper. He sends her away and confronts Desdemona, whose insistence that she is his loyal wife meets accusations of prostitution and images of corruption. His speech presents her as the source of his life, now supposedly polluted, while she cannot understand what offence she has committed. After he leaves, she asks Emilia to lay her wedding sheets on the bed and summon Iago. Emilia guesses that a man seeking a post has invented the slander, creating dramatic irony as Iago denies that such a man exists and blames Othello's temper on state business. Roderigo then threatens to approach Desdemona about the jewels Iago claims to have delivered and to demand satisfaction from Iago if she will not return them. Iago answers with praise of Roderigo's courage and a plan to ambush Cassio after supper, falsely claiming Othello is going to Mauritania and arguing that Cassio's death will keep the couple in Cyprus; Roderigo leaves with him to hear further reasons.

13. Act 4, Scene 3

    After supper, Othello orders Desdemona to go straight to bed and dismiss Emilia, then leaves with Lodovico. While Emilia helps her undress, Desdemona says that even her husband's frowns still seem attractive to her, whereas Emilia wishes she had never met him. The wedding sheets prompt Desdemona to ask to be buried in one if she dies before Emilia, and she remembers Barbara, her mother's maid, who died singing after her lover deserted her. She sings Barbara's willow song in fragments, interrupting herself with practical requests and mistaking the wind for a knock, so that grief and unease enter the ordinary preparations for bed. Desdemona asks Emilia whether she would be unfaithful for the whole world and insists that she herself would never do so, while Emilia jokes about the reward before arguing that husbands' neglect, jealousy, violence and infidelity can provoke wives to revenge. Emilia claims equal senses, desires and weaknesses for women, but Desdemona ends by praying to learn better conduct from others' wrongdoing.

14. Act 5, Scene 1

    On a dark street, Iago positions Roderigo to ambush Cassio and privately explains that either man's death would serve him, since Roderigo wants his money back and Othello might reveal his deception to Cassio. He also admits that Cassio's daily conduct makes him feel ugly by comparison, adding resentment to his calculation of advantage. Cassio survives Roderigo's thrust and wounds him, but Iago strikes Cassio's leg from behind and slips away. Hearing Cassio's cries, Othello wrongly concludes that Iago has killed him, praises his supposed honesty and justice, and leaves to kill Desdemona. Lodovico and Gratiano hesitate to approach the cries until Iago returns with a light, stabs Roderigo and takes charge as an apparent rescuer. Bianca arrives distressed for Cassio, and after Cassio and Roderigo are carried away, Iago presents her pallor and alarm as evidence of guilt. Emilia enters and insults Bianca, who defends her honesty; Iago sends Emilia to the citadel and admits in an aside that this night's outcome can make or destroy him.

15. Act 5, Scene 2

    Alone with the sleeping Desdemona, Othello presents her intended death as justice, then stifles her despite her denials and requests that he question Cassio. Emilia enters with news that Cassio lives, and Desdemona briefly speaks to declare her innocence and shield her husband before dying. Othello admits the killing and names Iago as his source, prompting Emilia to raise an alarm that brings Iago, Montano and Gratiano into the room. Defying Iago's commands to be silent, Emilia reveals that she gave him the handkerchief; he stabs her and escapes, while she dies defending Desdemona and singing her willow song. Othello recognises Desdemona's innocence, and when Lodovico arrives with Cassio and the captured Iago, he wounds Iago, asks Cassio's pardon and demands an explanation that Iago refuses to give. Roderigo's letters and Cassio's testimony expose Iago's schemes, and Lodovico strips Othello of command and orders his detention. Asking to be remembered without distortion, Othello describes his love and service before killing himself beside Desdemona, after which Lodovico leaves Cassio responsible for Iago's punishment and prepares to report to Venice.

Key quotes