Othello Scene Summaries and Key Quotes
| Act 1 scene 1 Basic summary +key quotes | Basic Summary: -Begins on a street in Ve ... |
| Significance of Act 1 Scene 1 | -The audience must rely on Iago’s descri ... |
| Act 1 scene 2Basic summary +key quotes | -Iago arrives at Othello’s lodgings, and ... |
| Significance of Act 1 Scene 2 | -Iago establishes himself as the machiav ... |
| Act 1 scene 3 | -An exchange between the Duke, senator a ... |
Full Answer
How many scenes are in Shakespeare's Othello?
Shakespeare's Othello broken down into seven key scenes. Iago (Antony Sher) and Othello (Sello Maake Ka-Ncube) in Gregory Doran's 2004 production.
What happens in Act 1 Scene 1 of Othello?
Resentment and redress (Act 1, Scene 1) In Venice, the gullible Rodorigo, an unsuccessful suitor to the senator’s daughter Desdemona, is persuaded by the wily Iago to help overthrow their common enemy, Othello.
What are the four scenes in Act 4 of Othello?
Act 4, Scene 1: Cyprus. Before the castle. Act 4, Scene 2: A room in the castle. Act 4, Scene 3: Another room In the castle. Act 5, Scene 1: Cyprus. A street.
What are the important events in Othello?
Othello important events- which act and scene? Othello overhears conversation between Iago and Cassio thinking they are discussing Cassio and Desdemona when in fact they are discussing Cassio and Bianca Emilia and Desdemona discuss men and whether they would commit adultery if it benefited their husbands
What are the most important scenes in Othello?
Othello wants Cassio dead, Iago agrees to do it, and then Othello wonders how to kill Desdemona. This scene, often called the "temptation scene," is the most important scene in the entire play and one of the most well-known scenes in all drama.
What are the main events in Othello?
Key momentsResentment and redress (Act 1, Scene 1) ... Talk of love and war in Venice (Act 1 Scene 3) ... Cassio carouses in Cyprus (Act 2 Scene 3) ... “The green-eyed monster” jealousy is aroused (Act 3 Scene 3) ... Othello receives 'proof' of his wife's infidelity (Act 4 Scene 1) ... A deadly attack on Cassio (Act 5 Scene 1)More items...
What is the most dramatic scene in Othello?
In Othello (or Othello, the moor of Venice) it is said that act three scene three is the most dramatic in the whole of the play, even though others believe that the last scene is more dramatic due to the deaths of Emilia, Desdemona and Othello.
What are the 5 themes of Othello?
ThemesThe Incompatibility of Military Heroism & Love. Before and above all else, Othello is a soldier. ... The Danger of Isolation. The action of Othello moves from the metropolis of Venice to the island of Cyprus. ... Jealousy. ... Deception and Treachery. ... Justice.
What is the main conflict in Othello?
Major conflictOthello and Desdemona marry and attempt to build a life together, despite their differences in age, race, and experience. Their marriage is sabotaged by the envious Iago, who convinces Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful.
How many acts and scenes are in Othello?
Othello, in full Othello, the Moor of Venice, tragedy in five acts by William Shakespeare, written in 1603–04 and published in 1622 in a quarto edition from a transcript of an authorial manuscript.
What scene is the temptation scene in Othello?
The third scene of the third act of Othello is famous as the 'temptation scene' in Othello, though Iago's temptation of Othello continues up to the first scene of the fourth act.
What is the pivotal point for Othello?
Having already persuaded Othello of Desdemona's unfaithfulness, Iago obtains the proof that turns Othello's jealousy into murderous rage. He uses the handkerchief, a symbol of their love, to destroy their happiness and leads to the tragic end of the play.
What are the main events in Act 1 of Othello?
Act 1 Scene 1 The play opens as Iago is telling Roderigo that he hates Othello because Othello has promoted Cassio to be his lieutenant instead of him, even though Cassio 'never set a squadron in the field' and has much less experience. Iago tells Roderigo 'I follow him to serve my turn upon him'.
What is the moral lesson of Othello?
“Othello” is a cautionary tale. It prompts us to check our reflexive feelings and to be fairer and more generous toward those whom we might dismiss or pigeonhole. It also encourages us to be more forgiving of others' trespasses.
Is Iago in love with Othello?
Some readers have suggested that Iago's true, underlying motive for persecuting Othello is his homosexual love for the general. He certainly seems to take great pleasure in preventing Othello from enjoying marital happiness, and he expresses his love for Othello frequently and effusively.
Is love a theme in Othello?
The binary of love/hate is central to the play. Throughout Othello, the audience is presented with different relationships - Emilia and Iago as well as Othello and Desdemona. However, it is clear that Othello's love for Desdemona can be perceived as 'true love'.
Who asks Desdemona to go with Othello?
Desdemona asks to go with Othello to Cyprus and Brabantio warns Othello ‘she has deceived her Father, and may thee’. Othello asks Iago to bring his wife Emilia to Cyprus to ‘attend on’ Desdemona. Alone with Roderigo, Iago persuades him to follow them to Cyprus, saying Othello and Desdemona’s love will not last long.
Why is the handkerchief important to Othello?
The handkerchief is incredibly important to Othello and was a gift to his Mother, possibly with some ‘magic’ in it. Othello believes Desdemona has given the handkerchief to Cassio. Desdemona has noticed Othello behaving strangely but thinks it must be because of his work.
What is the scene in Act 1 Scene 3?
Act 1 Scene 3. Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago and Roderigo arrive at the Senate while they are talking about the war. Brabantio tells the Duke that Othello has bewitched his daughter saying she is ‘abused, stolen from me and corrupted’.
Why does Iago hope Cassio and Roderigo will die this night?
More Info. Iago hopes both Cassio and Roderigo will die this night so that no one can reveal the truth of his own actions. Othello is spurred on to kill Desdemona by believing Iago has killed Cassio. When Cassio survives, Iago has to think quickly and tries to blame Bianca for the attack on Cassio.
What does Iago tell Othello about Brabantio?
Act 1 Scene 2. Iago tells Othello that Brabantio knows about his marriage and ‘spoke such scurvy and provoking terms against your honour’ but Othello dismisses this and says ‘let him do his spite’. Cassio then arrives with a message from the Duke asking Othello to come to the Senate to talk about the war in Cyprus.
Why did Brabantio and Roderigo arrive with soldiers?
Just as they are about to leave, Brabantio and Roderigo arrive with soldiers to arrest Othello for bewitching Desdemona. When he hears that the Duke has called for Othello, Brabantio allows him to go saying ‘the Duke himself, / Or any of my brothers of the state, / Cannot but feel this wrong as ‘twere their own’.
What do the two men stand outside Brabantio's house and shout to wake him up?
The two men stand outside Brabantio's house and shout to wake him up. From the shadows, they tell him about his daughter’s secret marriage to Othello. Iago makes Brabantio angry by describing Othello and Desdemona as ‘making the beast with two backs’ and uses other sexual animal imagery.
Who does Othello kill?
Othello chooses to kill Desdemona and smothers her with a pillow in their marital bed. Emilia discovers them and confronts Othello with the truth about Iago. Despite the consequences of speaking out, Emilia tells Othello and others of Iago’s acts, and he kills her before being arrested.
What does Othello threaten to do with Emilia?
Othello threatens Emilia, Desdemona’s maid and Iago’s wife, to give him information about Desdemona and Cassio’s private meetings. Emilia truthfully denies all of Othello’s accusations. Act 5: Othello believes that Cassio has been killed, having ordered the murder himself.
What does Iago do to Othello?
Iago then manipulates Othello into believing that Cassio and Desdemona’s meeting is about their secret love for each other. Othello swears to put Cassio and Desdemona to death for their betrayal. Act 4: Iago continues to convince Othello of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness.
Who is the Venetian court that trials Othello?
Othello is put on trial by Brabantio and the Venetian Court. Desdemona and Othello publicly profess their love for each other and are forgiven by all but Brabantio. Othello is chosen to lead the Venetian army to defend Cyprus from the oncoming Turkish fleet.
Who wakes Brabantio?
Act 1: Iago, Othello’ s standard bearer and friend, wakes Brabantio, a Venetian senator and old friend of Othello’s. Iago informs Brabantio that his daughter, Desdemona, has eloped with Othello, a general in the Venetian army. Othello is put on trial by Brabantio and the Venetian Court.
