Othello Othello Othello Othello: by William Shakespeare
Othello Othello Othello Othello: by William Shakespeare
By William Shakespeare
English 12 Advanced
Dr. Moschetta
- Characters -
- Scene summaries & analyses -
- Student Notes -
- Notable quotes -
From the Shakespeare quiz game, write 10 facts below: 5 that you
did not already know about Shakespeare or the Elizabethan time
period in England and 5 that you did know.
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Othello Character List
Othello: A Moor, and an officer in the Venetian military. He falls in love with, and marries, the
delicate Desdemona, though he is middle-aged, and she is still young. Othello is bold, a good warrior,
and a decent person overall; however, he is undone by jealousy and pride, his two main failings.
Although Othello is very eloquent, he believes his manners and words are both rough.
Desdemona: Othello's wife, a young Venetian woman of high birth and good breeding. Desdemona is
almost overly virtuous, which causes her to feel that she must defend Cassio, and speak in a public
sphere when necessary. She is stronger than Othello believes her to be, and is not the private,
withdrawn, meek woman he would ideally like her to be.
Cassio: Othello's lieutenant, though he has little field experience. Cassio is a smooth-talking, very
courteous Venetian courtier, the opposite of Othello in many respects, which is why Othello admires
him, oddly enough. Othello is led to believe that Cassio has had an affair with Desdemona, though
Cassio has only honorable intentions toward Desdemona.
Iago: Othello's ensign, and passed over for the lieutenant position in favor of Cassio. Iago is young and
treacherous; he is a villain from the start, and though he cites his hurt pride over the lost promotion and
Othello's alleged infidelity with Iago's wife Emilia as being reasons for his actions, he is without
reasons. He is immoral, but very perceptive, keen, and able to manipulate people into falling for the
traps he sets without them being aware.
Emilia: Iago's wife, and Desdemona's handmaiden. She is entrusted with bringing people into
Desdemona's presence, staying with her at all times, etc. Emilia has no idea what her husband Iago is
up to, nor of his darker qualities. She remains loyal to Desdemona above all others, although she
unwittingly plays a key part in Iago's treachery.
Brabantio: Desdemona's father, a senator and renowned citizen of Venice. He is not at all pleased by
Desdemona's union, and warns Othello that as Desdemona betrayed her father, she may betray her
husband too.
Roderigo: Lusts after Desdemona, which Iago is of course aware of. Iago uses him to ruin Cassio's
reputation, and in his other schemes. Iago promises Roderigo that he shall have Desdemona's love in
return for his help; Roderigo actually receives nothing but a disgraced death.
Duke of Venice: Ruler of the city, and Othello's superior. He allows Othello and Desdemona to stay
together despite her father's protests, and also sends Othello off to Cyprus to battle the Moors.
Senators: Other authority figures of Venice, and men of reason and order; they also support Othello
and Desdemona's union, and Othello answers to them and the Duke in matters of war. (No speaking
parts)
Bianca: A courtesan who Cassio visits frequently; Cassio asks her to make a copy of Desdemona's
handkerchief, and the fact that the handkerchief is found in her place further incriminates Cassio. She
is the only female in the play whom Cassio shows less than full respect to, probably because she is a
prostitute.
Montano, Governor of Cyprus: Pronounces judgment on Iago at the end of the play, comments on
the situation, and helps to wrap the play up. He is the main law and order figure of Cyprus, and serves
as damage control after Othello dies, and Iago is proven unfit.
Lodovico and Gratiano: Two Venetian nobles, both of some relation to Desdemona; both play their
biggest part after Desdemona has died, and must take the news of the tragedy back to Venice as
officials of that city.
Narrative Summary Frame – Othello Act I Movie
The following questions will help you to write a summary of Act I in Othello, from what we view in
the movie. Since we will not be reading Act I, it is important that you understand the background and
how the play begins.
Characters:
Who are the main
characters and what
distinguishes them from
others?
Setting:
When and where does
the action take place?
What are the
circumstances?
Initiating Events:
What events have
prompted some action in
the story?
Internal Response:
How did the main
characters express their
feelings?
Goal:
What did the main
characters decide to do?
Have they set a goal,
and if so, what is it?
Consequence:
How did the main
characters try to
accomplish their goals?
Resolution:
What do you foresee as
the consequences of any
characters’ planned
actions?
Othello Summary and Notes – Acts I & II
As we read the play, students will be provided with a summary for each scene, as you see below. To
increase your analysis and understanding, in the “Notes” section following each scene, write any ideas
that may help you to remember and understanding of what you have read. These can include any or all
of the following:
- Clarification of characters
- Important details of setting, plot, etc.
- Details explaining character motivation
- Foreshadowing: what do you think will happen next?
- Your interpretation of the text
Act I, Scene 1
In the streets of Venice, Iago tells Roderigio of his hatred for Othello, who has given Cassio the
lieutenancy that Iago wanted and has made Iago a mere ensign. At Iago’s suggestion, he and Roderigo,
a former suitor to Desdemona, awake Desdemona’s father to tell him that Desdemona has eloped with
Othello. This news enrages Brabantio, who organizes an armed band to search out Othello.
Notes:
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Act I, Scene 2
Iago warns Othello about Brabantio’s anger, but Othello is confident in his own strength and in his
love for Desdemona. Cassio arrives with orders from Othello: Othello is to meet with the duke and
senators of Venice about about a Turkish invasion of the Venetian colony of Cyprus. Brabantio and his
armed band come to seize Othello, who persuades Brabantio to accompany him to the duke, where
Othello has been summoned and where Brabantio can present his case against Othello for his “theft” of
Desdemona.
Notes:
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Act I, Scene 3
The duke and the senators discuss the movements of the Turkish fleet and conclude that its target is,
indeed, Cyprus. When Brabantio and Othello arrive, the duke insists on evidence to support the old
man’s charge that Othello has bewitched Desdemona. At Othello’s suggestion, the duke sends for
Desdemona. Othello describes his courtship of Desdemona, who, when she enters, tells her father and
the senators that she has married Othello because she loves him. She thereby vindicates Othello before
the senate. The duke orders Othello immediately to Cyprus and grants Desdemona her wish to join him
there. Othello gives Iago the duty of conveying Desdemona to Cyprus. Alone with Iago, Roderigo,
now in despair of winning Desdemona’s love, threatens suicide, but Iago persuades him instead to sell
his lands for ready cash and pursue Desdemona to Cyprus. Iago beings to plot to himself how he may
use Othello’s marriage to get back at Othello and to get Cassio’s place as lieutenant.
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Act II, Scene 2
Othello's herald enters, to proclaim that the Turks are not going to attack, all should be joyful, and
Othello is celebrating the happiness of his recent marriage.
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Othello Summary and Notes – Act III
Act III, Scene 1
The third act begins with a little bit of comic relief; a clown is mincing words with a few musicians,
then has a little wordplay with Cassio, who bids the clown to go and see if Desdemona will speak with
him. Iago enters, and Cassio tells him that he means to speak to Desdemona, so that she may clear
things up with Othello. Emilia comes out, and bids Cassio to come in and speak with Desdemona
about his tarnished reputation.
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Othello Summary and Notes – Act IV
Act IV, Scene 1
Othello is trying, even after swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly.
He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago
whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. Othello
falls into a trance of rage, and Iago decides to hammer home his false ideas about his wife. Iago calls
Cassio in, while Othello hides; Iago speaks to Cassio of Bianca, but Othello, in his disturbed state,
believes that Cassio is talking of Desdemona, which is the last "proof" he needs before declaring his
wife guilty. Bianca comes in, and gives the handkerchief back to Cassio, since she swears she will
have nothing to do with it.
Othello is incensed by Cassio, still believing that he was speaking of Desdemona, rather than Bianca.
Now, Othello is resolved to kill Desdemona himself, and charges Iago with murdering Cassio.
Ludovico, a noble Venetian whom Desdemona knows, has recently landed; Desdemona and Othello
welcome him there. But, when Desdemona mentions Cassio, Othello becomes very angry and slaps her
in front of everyone; she rushes off, very upset. Ludovico especially is shocked at this change in
Othello, and has no idea how such a noble man could act so cruelly.
Notes:
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Othello Summary and Notes – Act V
Act V, Scene 1
Iago has Roderigo poised and ready to pounce on Cassio, and kill him; if either of them is killed, it is to Iago's
benefit, although he would like to have both of them disposed of, so that his devices might not be discovered.
Roderigo and Cassio fight, and both are injured; Othello hears the scuffle, is pleased, and then leaves to finish
off Desdemona. Iago enters, pretending that he knows nothing of the scuffle; Gratiano and Ludovico also
stumble upon the scene, having no idea what has happened. Roderigo is still alive, so Iago feigns a quarrel, and
finishes him off. Bianca comes by, and sees Cassio wounded; Iago makes some remark to implicate her; Cassio
is carried away, and Roderigo is already dead. Emilia also comes in, and pins more blame on Bianca; she has
done nothing, but Iago has some quick work to do if he is to exonerate himself in this mess.
Notes:
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Act V, Scene 2
Othello enters Desdemona's room while she is asleep; and though she is beautiful, and appears innocent, he still
is determined to kill her. He justifies this with images, metaphors, and ideas of her rebirth after death, and
though his rage is softened, he is still much mistaken about her. Desdemona awakens, and he tells her to repent
of any sins before she dies; she believes there is nothing she can do to stop him from killing her, and continues
to assert her innocence. Othello tells her that he found her handkerchief with Cassio, though Desdemona insists
it must not be true; she pleads with Othello not to kill her right then, but he begins to smother her. Emilia
knocks, curious about what is going on; Othello lets her in, but tries to conceal Desdemona, who he thinks is
already dead. Emilia brings the news of Roderigo's death, and Cassio's wounding.
Emilia soon finds out that Desdemona is nearly dead, by Othello's hand; Desdemona speaks her last words, and
then Emilia pounces on Othello for committing this horrible crime. Othello is not convinced of his folly until
Iago confesses his part, and Cassio speaks of the use of the handkerchief; then, Othello is overcome with grief.
Iago stabs Emilia for telling all about his plots, and then Emilia dies; the Venetian nobles reveal that Brabantio,
Desdemona's father, is dead, and so cannot be grieved by this tragedy now. Othello stabs Iago when he is
brought back in; Othello then tells all present to remember him how he is, and kills himself. Cassio becomes
temporary leader of the troops at Cyprus, and Lodovico and Gratiano are supposed to carry the news of the
tragedy back to Venice. Iago is taken into custody, and his crimes will be judged back in Venice.
Notes:
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Notable Quotes
In this section, take note of any important quotes throughout the play, Add your own notes:
interpretation of each quote’s meaning, analysis of character, analysis of language, analysis of literary
devices depicted by the quotes, etc. Also note act, scene, and page number for future reference.
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