William Shakespeare – Othello
Othello (written c. 1603–1604) is one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies of jealousy and deception. It tells the story of Othello, a noble Moorish general in the Venetian army, whose marriage to Desdemona is destroyed by the villainous Iago. Set in Venice and Cyprus, the play examines race, love, jealousy, trust, and betrayal, moving from harmony to devastation over five acts and fifteen scenes.
Act I – Betrayal and Marriage (3 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Iago and Roderigo’s Plot
The play opens at night in Venice. Iago, angry that Othello promoted Cassio instead of him, manipulates Roderigo, who loves Desdemona. They wake her father, Brabantio, shouting that she has eloped with “the Moor.” Iago pretends loyalty to both sides, revealing his motto: “I am not what I am.”
Scene 2 – Othello Confronts Brabantio
Othello, calm and dignified, faces accusations of witchcraft. He defends his love, saying Desdemona was moved by his tales of adventure: “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them.” The Duke of Venice sides with Othello, ordering him to defend Cyprus from a Turkish attack. Brabantio disowns Desdemona, warning Othello: “She has deceived her father, and may thee.”
Scene 3 – Othello and Desdemona Depart for Cyprus
Othello and Desdemona prepare to sail for Cyprus. Iago secretly plots to destroy them both, declaring: “I hate the Moor.” He plans to convince Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful with Cassio. The seeds of jealousy are sown.
Act II – Temptation in Cyprus (3 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Arrival in Cyprus
A storm destroys the Turkish fleet. Othello’s ship arrives safely, greeted by Desdemona, Iago, Cassio, and Emilia. Iago notices Cassio’s gallant behaviour toward Desdemona and begins his deceit. He whispers to the audience that Cassio’s courtesy will serve as “the net that shall enmesh them all.”
Scene 2 – Public Celebration
A herald announces victory over the Turks and peace in Cyprus. The tone shifts to festivity, setting up Iago’s next move.
Scene 3 – Iago’s Manipulation of Cassio
Iago gets Cassio drunk and provokes a fight between him and Roderigo. Othello arrives and, angered by the disorder, strips Cassio of his rank. Iago pretends sympathy, advising Cassio to appeal to Desdemona for help—thus beginning the jealousy trap. Cassio laments: “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation!”
Act III – The Poison of Jealousy (4 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Cassio Seeks Help
Cassio sends musicians to charm Othello and asks Desdemona’s help. Emilia arranges their meeting, unknowingly advancing Iago’s scheme.
Scene 2 – Othello’s Official Duties
Othello briefly appears giving letters to Iago, symbolizing that he now trusts the deceiver completely.
Scene 3 – The Temptation Scene
This is the play’s turning point. Iago, with subtle hints, poisons Othello’s mind: “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” He suggests Desdemona’s infidelity with Cassio. Othello demands proof, and Iago points to the handkerchief—Othello’s first gift to Desdemona—as “evidence.” Othello’s love turns to fury: “Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago, all my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.” He vows revenge and kneels; Iago kneels beside him—the tragic “marriage of hate.”
Scene 4 – The Lost Handkerchief
Desdemona worries over Othello’s sudden anger. When she cannot produce the handkerchief, he storms away. Iago urges Cassio to ask Bianca, his mistress, to copy the embroidered token—turning coincidence into proof of guilt.
Act IV – The Fall of Othello (3 Scenes)
Scene 1 – The Trance of Jealousy
Iago tells Othello that Cassio boasted of Desdemona’s love. Othello falls into a fit of epilepsy. He hides while Cassio and Iago talk; Iago tricks him into believing Cassio laughs about Desdemona. When Bianca enters with the handkerchief, Othello’s fury peaks: “Now he denies it faintly and laughs it out!” He resolves to kill Desdemona that night.
Scene 2 – Desdemona Accused
Othello interrogates Desdemona, calling her a “whore.” She protests innocence; Emilia insists someone has slandered her. Othello’s moral blindness contrasts her purity. Desdemona weeps: “O good Iago, what shall I do to win my lord again?”
Scene 3 – The Willow Song
In the bedroom, Desdemona sings the “Willow Song”, foretelling her death. She tells Emilia she would never betray her husband, ending with the haunting line: “Good night, good night. God me such uses send, not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend.”
Act V – Death and Truth (2 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Iago’s Last Trap
Iago sends Roderigo to kill Cassio; both are wounded. Iago secretly stabs Roderigo to silence him. The chaos outside mirrors the moral confusion within the main plot.
Scene 2 – Desdemona’s Death and Iago’s Exposure
In their bedroom, Othello stands over Desdemona’s bed, whispering: “Put out the light, and then put out the light.” He smothers her despite her pleas of innocence. Emilia bursts in, exposes Iago’s plot, and dies defending the truth. Othello realizes his horror: “Then must you speak of one that loved not wisely but too well.” He stabs himself beside Desdemona, dying with a kiss: “I kissed thee ere I killed thee; no way but this, killing myself, to die upon a kiss.” Iago is arrested but unrepentant: “From this time forth I never will speak word.”
Major Themes and Symbols
- Jealousy: The destructive “green-eyed monster” that consumes Othello.
- Appearance vs. Reality: Iago’s deceit exposes the fragility of perception.
- Race and Otherness: Othello’s identity as an outsider fuels his insecurity.
- Love and Betrayal: The pure devotion of Desdemona contrasts Iago’s manipulation.
- Trust and Deception: Blind faith in Iago leads Othello to self-destruction.
- Symbols: The handkerchief—love token turned false proof—embodies lost trust.
Key Characters
- Othello: Moorish general; noble yet tragically insecure.
- Desdemona: Innocent, faithful wife and moral center of the play.
- Iago: Master manipulator; represents evil intellect without motive.
- Cassio: Handsome lieutenant; victim of circumstance.
- Emilia: Iago’s wife; truth-teller who exposes him.
- Roderigo: Foolish lover used by Iago.
- Brabantio: Desdemona’s father; symbolizes prejudice.
Quick Revision Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Composition | c. 1603–1604 |
| Genre | Tragedy |
| Setting | Venice and Cyprus |
| Acts & Scenes | 5 Acts, 15 Scenes |
| Major Themes | Jealousy, Deception, Race, Love, Betrayal, Trust |
| Symbols | Handkerchief, Candle (light), Storm, Bed |
| Famous Lines | “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!” / “Put out the light.” / “Loved not wisely but too well.” |
| Ending | Desdemona and Othello die; Iago exposed but unpunished. |
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