Summary
Act I
Scene I
The scene starts off in Venice where Roderigo and Iago are in the middle of an argument regarding Desdemona and her marriage with Othello. Iago expresses his hatred of Othello to Roderigo because he did not get the Lieutenant role. The two then head to Brabantio's home to inform him of his daughter's marriage using vulgar language. Brabantio is doubtful at first, but then comes to believe Roderigo. Iago hurries away from the situation before he is seen by Brabantio.
Scene II
Iago finds Othello and informs him about Brabantio's search party. Cassio and party then arrives to tell Othello that he has been summoned by the Duke of Venice regarding matters in Cyprus. However, Brabantio and his men find the group, and prepare to capture Othello. Othello stands his ground, and Brabantio decides to settle matters with the Duke at court.
Scene III
There was another message that the Turkish fleet had turned to sail towards the Rhodes. A senator guesses that this is a fake course, and they are right as more news comes, saying that the fleet is heading back to Cyprus. Othello and group interrupts the meeting, and Brabantio accuses Othello of performing black magic on his daughter. Othello explains his story to the entire court, saying how Brabantio used to invite him to his house to tell his war stories. Desdemona fell in love with Othello after listening to these stories. Desdemona enters the court to support Othello, and tell her father that she married Othello out of her own will. The Duke then tells Othello to head to Cyprus, but Desdemona decides to tag along since she does not want to stay with her father. Everyone leaves, and Roderigo proclaims that he wants to drown himself. Iago convinces him otherwise, and they both head to Cyprus.
Act II
Scene I
At Cyprus, Montano awaits for the arrival of the Venetians during a storm. Cassio arrives and tells everyone about the drowning of the Turkish fleet. Desdemona, Emilia, Roderigo, and Iago arrive shortly before Othello does. However before Othello arrives, Iago starts criticizing women, calling them lazy and useless. After, Iago notices Cassio holding Desdemona's hand, and uses it to his advantage. He convinced Roderigo that Desdemona and Cassio are in love. This gets Roderigo to agree to the plan where he will cause a ruckus to make Cassio do something to lose his reputation. After everyone leaves, Iago is left onstage where he explains his plan and how there was a rumour where Othello slept with Iago's wife. He then explains how he will make Othello suffer more.
Scene II
The herald announced the drowning of the Turkish fleet as well as Othello's marriage to Desdemona. Then, everyone starts celebrating with a feast.
Scene III
While everyone is feasting, Othello and Desdemona leave to their room. Cassio and Iago start talking about Desdemona, and Iago manages to convince Cassio to drink more despite the fact that he has a low alcohol tolerance. Cassio wanders off, and Iago lies to Montano, saying that Cassio may have too big of a drinking problem for someone with his position. Roderigo then enters to aggravate Cassio, which results in a chase. Montano steps in to stop the fight, but ends up getting stabbed by Cassio. There is chaos everywhere as a bell is rung and Othello comes down to see what is happening. Othello demands someone to explain the situation and Iago explains it in a way where it seems like it is sugarcoated. Othello catches on, and fires Cassio. Othello leaves and Cassio cries about his lost reputation. Iago suggests to look to Desdemona to get the position back, and Cassio agrees. After Cassio leaves, Iago has a soliloquy before Roderigo enters, enraged that there has been no progress after using most of his money. Iago successfully convinces him to be patient.
Act III
Scene I
The scene starts with a clown that tells musicians to stop playing music. Cassio asks the clown to get Emilia for him. Iago tells Cassio that he will find a way for Emilia to get Cassio and Desdemona together alone so they can speak. Emilia comes and tells the two that Desdemona has already been trying to help Cassio. Emilia tells Cassio to go in the room and wait for Desdemona.
Scene II
Iago and Othello walk with a gentleman. Othello gives some letters for Iago to deliver while the General looks at the town's fortification.
Scene III
Desdemona agrees to do anything she can to get Cassio his position back. Upon Othello and Iago's arrival, Cassio quickly leaves. Desdemona begs Othello to give Cassio his position back, and criticizes him for being hesitant. After Desdemona leaves, Iago begins to ask questions about Cassio regarding Othello and Desdemona's relationship. Iago plants seeds of doubt in Othello's mind, and Othello starts overthinking. He thinks that Desdemona does not love him because he is old, black, and does not have perfect manners. Desdemona and Emilia enter to tell Othello he has dinner. He says his head hurts, which leads to Desdemona bringing out her handkerchief for his head. Othello knocks it to the ground and leads her away. Emilia picks up the handkerchief, since Iago has told her to steal it many times. She gives it to Iago and he puts it in Cassio's room. Othello is enraged by his thoughts, and demands visual proof of his wife's affair. Iago tells a fake story of Cassio's dream, and promises to get proof. Othello appoints Iago lieutenant.
Scene IV
Desdemona is with Emilia, and is wondering where her handkerchief could have gone. Othello barges into the room to interrogate Desdemona on the handkerchief's whereabouts. She denies having lost it, but also says that she cannot get it now. Othello explains the history of the handkerchief, saying how it was a gift from an Egyptian sorceress. The handkerchief had magic that kept her husband loyal. Othello is enraged and yells at Desdemona. Desdemona changes the subject as asks Othello once again to give Cassio his lieutenancy back. Othello leaves as Iago and Cassio walk in. Desdemona leaves to go and find Othello to talk to Cassio. Bianca enters and Cassio asks her to copy the embroidery of the handkerchief he found in his room.
Act IV
Scene I
Iago and Othello are speaking, and Iago says that Desdemona could technically do whatever she wants with the handkerchief if it is hers. Iago later says that Cassio has admitted that he has slept with Desdemona. Othello falls into a fit because of this, and Cassio just happens to walk in. Iago tells Cassio to leave as he'll go find him to talk later. Othello wakes up and Iago tells him to hide when he talks to Cassio. Iago and Cassio joke about Bianca, when Othello thinks they are talking about Desdemona. Bianca arrives to accuse Cassio of giving her a present from another lover, and says how he must show up to their dinner. When the two leave, Othello tells Iago that he wants Cassio dead. He cannot believe that Desdemona would do such things, but he plans to kill her. After, Lodovico and Desdemona appear with a letter for Othello, saying how he is to return to Venice and leave Cassio at Cyprus. Desdemona is happy to return, but Othello hits her. Lodovico is horrified at this. After accusing Desdemona of being unfaithful, Othello leaves.
Scene II
Othello interrogates Emilia on Desdemona, but Emilia says that Desdemona has not been up to anything suspicious. Despite Desdemona denying that she had cheated, Othello storms off. Iago comes in and Desdemona begs him to find out why Othello has been acting weird. Emilia says that Othello has been deceived by a villain, Iago says that Othello is only upset over some political matters. The two ladies leave for dinner and Roderigo angrily appears. Iago lies to him in order to get him to kill rid of Cassio.
Scene III
Othello walks with Lodovico after dinner and tells Desdemona to wait in bed for him. While alone with Emilia, Desdemona sings a song called "Willow" that was about a woman whose love abandoned her. The song makes Desdemona ask Emilia if she would cheat for the whole world. Emilia says that the world is a big prize, and women have urges to sin just as men do. Desdemona disagrees with Emilia's opinion and gets ready for bed.
Act V
Scene I
Roderigo prepares to kill Cassio with the help of Iago. He fails to puncture Cassio's armour, but Iago stabs Cassio's leg without being seen. There are cries of murder, which makes Othello think that Cassio is dead so he goes to kill Desdemona. Iago pretends to find Cassio and he kills Roderigo. Graziano and Lodovico question Cassio about what had happened. Bianca and Emilia appear, and they suspect Bianca. Bianca is arrested and Emilia is sent to tell Othello and Desdemona about the situation.
Scene II
Othello kisses Desdemona once more before he kills her. She wakes up and begs for her life, but he smothers her. Hearing Emilia wanting to come in, Othello draws the bed curtains and lets her in. Desdemona manages to say that she had killed herself just before she dies. Othello admits to killing Desdemona for her infidelity after Emilia asks why. She then calls for help. Gratiano, Montano and Iago come. Emilia exposes Iago but is silenced by Iago's sword. Emilia explains how Cassio got the handkerchief and Othello charges at Iago. Iago kills Emilia and runs. Emilia sings the willow song as she dies. Everyone goes outside and Othello wounds Iago. With a note from Roderigo's body, the truth is out and Othello kills himself. Everyone then returns to Venice.