Othello Plot Summary

Othello Plot Summary Othello Plot Summary Principal Characters: Othello: the Moor of Venice Desdemona: his wife Iago: Othello's ensign Cassio: Othello's lieutenant Emilia: Iago's wife Iago, an ensign serving under Othello, Moorish commander of the armed forces of Venice, was passed over in promotion, Othello having chosen Cassio to be his chief of staff. In revenge, Iago and his follower, Roderigo, arouse from his sleep Brabantio, senator of Venice, to tell him that his daughter Desdemona had stolen away and married Othello. Brabantio, incensed that his daughter would marry a Moor (a descendent of the mixed Arab and Berber people who conquered Spain in the 8th century), led his serving-men to Othello's quarters. Meanwhile, the Duke of Venice had learned that armed Turkish ships were preparing to attack the island of Cyprus and in this emergency he had summoned Othello to the senate chambers. Brabantio and Othello meet in the streets, but postpone any violence in the national interest. Othello, upon arriving at the senate, was commanded by the duke to lead the Venetian forces to Cyprus. Then Brabantio told the duke that Othello had beguiled his daughter into marriage without her father's consent. When Brabantio asked the duke for redress, Othello vigorously defended his honor and reputation, and he was seconded by Desdemona, who appeared during the proceedings. Othello, clear of all suspicion, prepares to sail for Cyprus immediately. For the moment, he places Desdemona in the care of Iago, with Iago's wife, Emilia, to be her attendant during the voyage to Cyprus. A great storm destroys the Turkish fleet and scatters the Venetians. One by one the ships under Othello's command put into Cyprus until all were safely ashore and Othello and Desdemona are once again united. Still vowing revenge, Iago tolls Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio. Roderigo, himself in love with Desdemona, is promised all of his desires by Iago if he will engage Cassio, who does not know him, in a personal brawl while Cassio is officer of the guard. Othello declared the night dedicated to celebrating the destruction of the enemy, but he cautioned Cassio to keep a careful watch on Venetian troops in the city. Iago talked Cassio into drinking too much, so that when the lieutenant was provoked later by Roderigo, Cassio lost control of himself and engaged Roderigo. Cries of riot and mutiny spread through the streets. Othello, aroused by the commotion, demoted Cassio for permitting a fight to start. Cassio, his reputation all but ruined, welcomed Iago's promise to secure Desdemona's good-will and through her have Othello restore Cassio's rank. Cassio impatiently importuned Iago to arrange a meeting between him and Desdemona. While Cassio and Desdemona were talking, Iago brought Othello into view of the pair and spoke vague innuendoes to his commander. Afterward Iago would, from time to time, ask questions of Othello in such a manner that he led Othello to believe that t