Plot Summary

Act I

Scene 1

• Iago and Roderigo discuss their hatred for Othello.
• They inform Brabantio of Desdemona's secret marriage to Othello.
• Brabantio, enraged, goes to confront Othello.

Scene 2

• Othello is summoned by the Duke to discuss a military matter.
• Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft to win Desdemona's love.
• Othello insists on his honourable love for Desdemona and they proceed to the Duke.

Scene 3

• The Duke and council discuss the Turkish threat against Cyprus.
• Othello explains how Desdemona fell in love with him.
• Desdemona defends her marriage to Othello.
• The Duke sends Othello to Cyprus to defend it from the Turks; Desdemona accompanies him.
• Iago reveals his plan to manipulate Othello and ruin him.

Act II

Scene 1

• The Turkish fleet is destroyed by a storm.
• Othello, Desdemona, and others arrive in Cyprus.
• Iago plots to use Cassio to incite Othello's jealousy.

Scene 2

• A herald announces a celebration of the Turkish fleet's destruction and Othello's marriage.

Scene 3

• Iago gets Cassio drunk, leading to a brawl.
• Othello dismisses Cassio from his position.
• Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona's help to regain his position.

Act III

Scene 1

• Cassio asks Emilia to arrange a meeting with Desdemona.

Scene 2

• Othello inspects the fortifications.

Scene 3

• Desdemona promises to help Cassio.
• Iago sows seeds of doubt in Othello's mind about Desdemona's fidelity.
• Othello becomes suspicious and demands proof.
• Desdemona drops her handkerchief, which Emilia picks up and gives to Iago.
• Iago plants the handkerchief with Cassio.

Scene 4

• Desdemona worries about the lost handkerchief.
• Othello confronts Desdemona about the handkerchief, and she cannot produce it.
• Othello's jealousy deepens as Iago continues to manipulate him.

Act IV

Scene 1

• Iago continues to provoke Othello's jealousy.
• Othello falls into a trance-like state.
• Iago arranges for Othello to overhear a conversation about Desdemona, making it seem like Cassio is speaking of her.
• Othello decides to kill Desdemona.
• Lodovico arrives with orders for Othello to return to Venice and for Cassio to replace him.

Scene 2

• Othello interrogates Emilia, who defends Desdemona's fidelity.
• Othello accuses Desdemona of infidelity and refuses to believe her denials.
• Desdemona turns to Iago for help, unaware of his role in the deceit.

Scene 3

• Desdemona prepares for bed, speaking with Emilia about her troubled marriage.
• Desdemona sings the "Willow" song, foreboding her fate.

Act V

Scene 1

• Iago directs Roderigo to kill Cassio; both are wounded in the attack.
• Iago pretends to help Cassio and kills Roderigo to silence him.
• Cassio is taken for medical treatment.

Scene 2

• Othello confronts Desdemona in their bedchamber and smothers her.
• Emilia discovers Desdemona's body and exposes Iago's plot.
• Othello realizes his tragic mistake and wounds Iago.
• Othello kills himself in grief and remorse.
• Cassio is appointed to govern Cyprus, and Iago is arrested for his crimes.