Othello Summary and Analysis

Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

The scene opens on a Venetian street with Roderigo, Desdemona’s suitor, having an argument with Iago. The audience learns that Roderigo has paid Iago to help him (Roderigo) marry Desdemona, who has eloped with Othello, the Christian Moor. Iago is Othello’s ensign. Roderigo accuses Iago of swindling money from him. He believes Iago had known about Desdemona’s affair with Othello all along. Iago tells Roderigo that he detests Othello—who has promoted Michael Cassio, not Iago, to the lieutenant rank—and admits that his liking for Othello is just pretense.

Iago then comes up with a wicked plan; he advises Roderigo to let Brabantio—a Venetian senator and Desdemona’s father—know that his daughter has eloped with Othello.

Outside Brabantio’s house, the two men start crying loudly and allege that Brabantio has been robbed. Brabantio, who had previously instructed Roderigo to stay away from Desdemona, doesn’t believe this allegation at first. He thinks Roderigo is pulling tricks in a bid to see Desdemona. Iago then makes lewd remarks about Othello and Desdemona’s sexual relationship. Brabantio decides to investigate the matter and proceeds indoors to look for Desdemona. Iago, realizing that he has succeeded in his evil plot, takes leave from Roderigo to go and attend to Othello. As soon as he leaves, Brabantio, having realized what has transpired, comes out and accuses Othello of using magic and “charms” to steal Desdemona. Along with his men, he and Roderigo proceed to confront Othello.

Act 1, Scene 1 Analysisa

The scene introduces the audience to Othello. Though he is only referred to in passing and rather ambiguously as “the Moor,” “the thick-lips,” and “a Barbary horse,” these names indicate his racial identity. They tell the audience that Othello is dark-skinned. Seemingly, Iago’s hatred for Othello doesn’t only stem from having been passed over for promotion; he likely harbors a deep-seated racial hatred of Othello.

The squabble between Iago and Roderigo also reveals much. It provides the audience key information about incidents not included in the scene—that is, about incidents leading up to the play’s first act. It reveals the traits of Iago and Roderigo. Iago, from the first scene itself, can be recognized as a shrewd, wily character. He appears to be exploiting Roderigo for monetary benefits. On the other hand, Roderigo appears gullible, as his manipulation and exploitation by Iago show. Notably, Roderigo fails to see through Iago’s evilness; he is also humiliated by Brabantio.

Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

The scene opens with Iago, Othello’s ensign, reporting to Othello about Roderigo’s betrayal and his role in letting Brabantio know about his marriage to Desdemona. He warns Othello about Brabantio’s attempt to foil their marriage. Just then Cassio enters, accompanied by others, bearing urgent news from Cyprus. Cassio has been sent by the Duke to bring Othello to the council. Brabantio enters along with his men and accuses Othello of using magic to lure Desdemona, who otherwise, Brabantio contends, would not have married Othello. Brabantio wants Othello arrested, but is forced to relent for the time being on account of the urgent meeting summoned by the Duke.

Act 1, Scene 2 Analysis

The scene sheds light on Iago’s wile, too. Iago swears to kill Roderigo for his betrayal, though he is the one who manipulates Roderigo into letting Brabantio know of his daughter’s elopement. Iago’s wile and evilness seem to loom above everyone in the play. While talking to Othello, he alludes to Janus, the two-faced god. Incidentally, Iago himself could most amply be described as two-faced. Later in the scene, during Brabantio’s accusations, the racial question resurfaces. Brabantio is determined that his daughter would never have chosen a Moor for her husband had she not been enchanted. Black magic is generally associated with Africans for their animistic faith. Hence, Brabantio, too, ignores Othello’s goodness and credibility. Though Othello is a General, Brabantio is unable to look past Othello’s race.

Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

In the council-chamber, the senators and the council members are made aware of a Turkish fleet advancing toward Cyprus with the intent of challenging Venice’s authority on the island. A battle seems inevitable. Othello, Iago, Brabantio, Cassio, and others enter the stage. The Duke immediately appoints Othello to lead the battle in Cyprus. In the meantime, Brabantio accuses Othello of having used black magic to seduce his daughter, Desdemona. Notably, the use of black magic in Venice is a capital offense. Eloquently, Othello lets the council know that he has indeed won over Desdemona, but not with magic. He has won her heart with stories, he says.

The Duke calls for Desdemona, who verifies Othello’s narrative. The Duke dismisses the allegations against Othello and allows the couple to live together. Since Othello is on his way to battle the Turks in Cyprus, he pleads with the Duke to allow Desdemona to accompany him. They haven’t spent a lot of time together, Othello argues. Their appeal is granted, and Desdemona is to stay with Iago till she can leave for Cyprus.

Roderigo is, expectedly, unhappy with this verdict. The scheming Iago reassures Roderigo that this marriage will not last long and that Desdemona will be united with Roderigo. Iago then reveals that Othello has had an affair with Emilia, Iago’s wife. He does so in a bid to justify his hatred of Othello. Iago, however, merely plans to use Roderigo as a pawn in his efforts to create discord between Othello and Desdemona.

Act 1, Scene 3 Analysis

The scene shows that Cyprus is of special importance to Venice. As a result, Othello, the most important Venetian General, is appointed to lead the battle in the island. Othello is confident that his marriage to Desdemona will not be challenged or revoked. Firstly, he is honest; he did not use magic to woo Desdemona. Secondly, he knows that the city of Venice will require his leadership to defeat the Turks; which means the senators will likely be bound to absolve him of the charges brought forth by Brabantio.

Othello’s remarkably eloquent speech also shows that he is extremely proud of his achievements, and this pride, as the audience will find out, eventually leads to his downfall. His speech helps the audience understand why Desdemona has fallen in love with him: he is an honorable and successful soldier. Although the characters on stage seem convinced about Desdemona’s love for Othello, Brabantio fails to understand why his “jewel” has fallen for a Moor.

Iago is an extremely observant and intelligent person, with the knack to manipulate people. Through Iago’s character, Shakespeare suggests that intelligence and ability do not automatically make a good person; after all, people can apply their intelligence to achieve evil ends.

Othello Summary and Analysis

Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

The scene opens on a Venetian street with Roderigo, Desdemona’s suitor, having an argument with Iago. The audience learns that Roderigo has paid Iago to help him (Roderigo) marry Desdemona, who has eloped with Othello, the Christian Moor. Iago is Othello’s ensign. Roderigo accuses Iago of swindling money from him. He believes Iago had known about Desdemona’s affair with Othello all along. Iago tells Roderigo that he detests Othello—who has promoted Michael Cassio, not Iago, to the lieutenant rank—and admits that his liking for Othello is just pretense.

Iago then comes up with a wicked plan; he advises Roderigo to let Brabantio—a Venetian senator and Desdemona’s father—know that his daughter has eloped with Othello.

Outside Brabantio’s house, the two men start crying loudly and allege that Brabantio has been robbed. Brabantio, who had previously instructed Roderigo to stay away from Desdemona, doesn’t believe this allegation at first. He thinks Roderigo is pulling tricks in a bid to see Desdemona. Iago then makes lewd remarks about Othello and Desdemona’s sexual relationship. Brabantio decides to investigate the matter and proceeds indoors to look for Desdemona. Iago, realizing that he has succeeded in his evil plot, takes leave from Roderigo to go and attend to Othello. As soon as he leaves, Brabantio, having realized what has transpired, comes out and accuses Othello of using magic and “charms” to steal Desdemona. Along with his men, he and Roderigo proceed to confront Othello.

Act 1, Scene 1 Analysisa

The scene introduces the audience to Othello. Though he is only referred to in passing and rather ambiguously as “the Moor,” “the thick-lips,” and “a Barbary horse,” these names indicate his racial identity. They tell the audience that Othello is dark-skinned. Seemingly, Iago’s hatred for Othello doesn’t only stem from having been passed over for promotion; he likely harbors a deep-seated racial hatred of Othello.

The squabble between Iago and Roderigo also reveals much. It provides the audience key information about incidents not included in the scene—that is, about incidents leading up to the play’s first act. It reveals the traits of Iago and Roderigo. Iago, from the first scene itself, can be recognized as a shrewd, wily character. He appears to be exploiting Roderigo for monetary benefits. On the other hand, Roderigo appears gullible, as his manipulation and exploitation by Iago show. Notably, Roderigo fails to see through Iago’s evilness; he is also humiliated by Brabantio.

Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

The scene opens with Iago, Othello’s ensign, reporting to Othello about Roderigo’s betrayal and his role in letting Brabantio know about his marriage to Desdemona. He warns Othello about Brabantio’s attempt to foil their marriage. Just then Cassio enters, accompanied by others, bearing urgent news from Cyprus. Cassio has been sent by the Duke to bring Othello to the council. Brabantio enters along with his men and accuses Othello of using magic to lure Desdemona, who otherwise, Brabantio contends, would not have married Othello. Brabantio wants Othello arrested, but is forced to relent for the time being on account of the urgent meeting summoned by the Duke.

Act 1, Scene 2 Analysis

The scene sheds light on Iago’s wile, too. Iago swears to kill Roderigo for his betrayal, though he is the one who manipulates Roderigo into letting Brabantio know of his daughter’s elopement. Iago’s wile and evilness seem to loom above everyone in the play. While talking to Othello, he alludes to Janus, the two-faced god. Incidentally, Iago himself could most amply be described as two-faced. Later in the scene, during Brabantio’s accusations, the racial question resurfaces. Brabantio is determined that his daughter would never have chosen a Moor for her husband had she not been enchanted. Black magic is generally associated with Africans for their animistic faith. Hence, Brabantio, too, ignores Othello’s goodness and credibility. Though Othello is a General, Brabantio is unable to look past Othello’s race.

Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

In the council-chamber, the senators and the council members are made aware of a Turkish fleet advancing toward Cyprus with the intent of challenging Venice’s authority on the island. A battle seems inevitable. Othello, Iago, Brabantio, Cassio, and others enter the stage. The Duke immediately appoints Othello to lead the battle in Cyprus. In the meantime, Brabantio accuses Othello of having used black magic to seduce his daughter, Desdemona. Notably, the use of black magic in Venice is a capital offense. Eloquently, Othello lets the council know that he has indeed won over Desdemona, but not with magic. He has won her heart with stories, he says.

The Duke calls for Desdemona, who verifies Othello’s narrative. The Duke dismisses the allegations against Othello and allows the couple to live together. Since Othello is on his way to battle the Turks in Cyprus, he pleads with the Duke to allow Desdemona to accompany him. They haven’t spent a lot of time together, Othello argues. Their appeal is granted, and Desdemona is to stay with Iago till she can leave for Cyprus.

Roderigo is, expectedly, unhappy with this verdict. The scheming Iago reassures Roderigo that this marriage will not last long and that Desdemona will be united with Roderigo. Iago then reveals that Othello has had an affair with Emilia, Iago’s wife. He does so in a bid to justify his hatred of Othello. Iago, however, merely plans to use Roderigo as a pawn in his efforts to create discord between Othello and Desdemona.

Act 1, Scene 3 Analysis

The scene shows that Cyprus is of special importance to Venice. As a result, Othello, the most important Venetian General, is appointed to lead the battle in the island. Othello is confident that his marriage to Desdemona will not be challenged or revoked. Firstly, he is honest; he did not use magic to woo Desdemona. Secondly, he knows that the city of Venice will require his leadership to defeat the Turks; which means the senators will likely be bound to absolve him of the charges brought forth by Brabantio.

Othello’s remarkably eloquent speech also shows that he is extremely proud of his achievements, and this pride, as the audience will find out, eventually leads to his downfall. His speech helps the audience understand why Desdemona has fallen in love with him: he is an honorable and successful soldier. Although the characters on stage seem convinced about Desdemona’s love for Othello, Brabantio fails to understand why his “jewel” has fallen for a Moor.

Iago is an extremely observant and intelligent person, with the knack to manipulate people. Through Iago’s character, Shakespeare suggests that intelligence and ability do not automatically make a good person; after all, people can apply their intelligence to achieve evil ends.