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ENGL 348: Othello (Full Notes)
Othello
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English Literature A
Love Through the Ages
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Othello Whole Text Notes
SUMMARY
Act 1 Scene 1
Starts ‘in medeas res’ which means in the middle of the action with Roderigo and Iago arguing about
the fact that Othello and Desdemona have got married in secret despite the fact that Iago was
supposed to be getting Desdemona to marry Roderigo. Iago manipulates Roderigo to push all his
anger towards Othello as we learn that Othello gave the position of lieutenant to Cassio over Iago
when Iago believes he should have got the job.
They then go to Brabantio’s house to arouse him and tell him that Desdemona and Othello are now
married. Iago lets Roderigo do all the talking except from when he needs help to try and remind on
both sides. Iago then runs off to warn Othello because he wants to reap the benefits.
Act 1 Scene 2
Audience meets Othello as Iago is telling him of how he wanted to kill Brabantio for saying bad
things against him. The audience realises what utter rubbish Iago is splurting out and see his
manipulation begin. Cassio comes telling Othello that the Duke requires his presence for something
about Cyprus. Then Brabantio enters and sees Othello. He is incredibly angry and wants to harm
Othello, but Othello declares that the Duke needs him so he cannot be taken – he is reminding
Brabantio of his importance. Brabantio then says lets go to the Duke so that they can discuss this.
Act 1 Scene 3
Othello goes to the Duke with Brabantio. Brabantio says what has happened and the Duke and
Senators ask for Othello’s explanation. Othello explains, having called for Desdemona so that they
can check on her and so she can give her version of events. The audience learns that Desdemona
was the main perpetrator in the beginning of their relationship. Then, they met Desdemona who
backs up Othello. Duke says Othello needs to leave for Cyprus tonight. Desdemona argues and is
allowed to go the day after.
After all the other characters have left, Roderigo tells Iago he wants to commit suicide. Iago tells him
to stop being dramatic and tells him to make money and come to Cyprus because soon Desdemona
and Brabantio will split up. Rodergio leaves and Iago comes up with a plan to split them up – he will
convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair.
Act 2 Scene 1
Cassio arrives in Cyprus, followed by Desdemona and Iago. Cassio comforts Desdemona who is
worried about Othello because there has been a great storm. Iago uses this comfort to his
advantage. Othello finally arrives and focuses more on Desdemona than his job. But the Turks have
been beaten because the storm destroyed their fleet.
Iago manipulates Roderigo to make him think that Cassio and Desdemona are sleeping together.
Roderigo says that he will make Cassio angry so that they have a fight.
Act 2 Scene 2
Herald reads announcement of celebrations. It shows that Othello allows freedom but also reminds
us of the military context. Furthermore, it shows the tension in the camp as there will be alcohol and
partying with no fighting having taken place – it will be easy for a fight to break out.
, Act 2 Scene 3
Iago persuades Cassio to drink and gets him drunk. He then makes up a rumour to Montano that
Cassio has a drinking problem. At the same time, Roderigo chases after Cassio and starts a fight.
Montano tries to stop the fight and ends up getting hurt. Othello is taken away from his bed with
Desdemona and makes Iago tell him what happened. Iago lies and says that Cassio chased a man
(Roderigo) and ended up hurting Montano as he tried to stop it. Othello fires Cassio and goes back to
bed with Desdemona.
Cassio is devastated by his actions and Iago pretends to console him and then suggests that he asks
for help from Desdemona in the morning. In a monologue, Iago finally comes up with a plan to make
Othello think Desdemona is cheating on him. Roderigo is becoming increasingly frustrated as he has
spent all his money but nothing has come of this.
Act 3 Scene 1
Starts with some comic relief of a clown and Cassio. Iago has then set up for Emilia to take Cassio to
Desdemona so that he can plead his case with her.
Act 3 Scene 2
Othello is working with Iago as his lieutenant. This shows that Iago has been promoted but continues
to manipulate the situation suggesting that the promotion is not the real motive for everything that
he does.
Act 3 Scene 3 – Temptation Scene
Desdemona declares to Cassio that she will do whatever she needs to so that he can become good
friends with Othello and work for him again. This is when Iago starts pouring the pestilence in
Othello’s ear, starting with suggestive comments that gradually turn into incriminating stories.
Iago talks of the handkerchief and the dream. He knows that he has the handkerchief now as Emilia
managed to pick it up after Desdemona dropped it. It ends with the marriage ceremony with the two
men kneeling.
Act 3 Scene 4
Othello asks Desdemona for her handkerchief but she cannot find it as Iago has it. Othello gets
increasingly more upset as Desdemona tries to take his mind off things. Desdemona then makes it
worse as she tries to talk about Cassio. Desdemona talks to Emilia and Iago about being upset
because Othello is being rude and angry with her.
Cassio meets Bianca and gives her the handkerchief so that she can get a copy. Bianca is jealous
because she thinks that Cassio is courting someone else. Their relationship is a contrast to how
Othello and Desdemona’s used to be.
Act 4 Scene 1
Starts with Othello and Iago talking. Othello falls into a fit. Cassio and Iago start talking with Othello
watching and listening from afar. But Iago starts talking about Bianca and that makes Cassio say
derogatory terms and laugh, infuriating Othello as he believes he is talking about Desdemona.
Iago and Othello make plans to kill Cassio and Desdemona. Attendants come from Venice, including
Lodovico. They are shocked as Othello hits Desdemona and causes her to cry.
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