Othello abbreviated

Synopsis


Early in the play, there in Venice, centuries ago, Iago sets one of the play’s central themes when he says to Roderigo, “In following the Moor, I follow but myself. I am not what I seem.” Iago’s conduct and actions are so dreadful that they defy one’s imagination that there could be anyone like this; that anyone could ever treat other people regardless of the circumstances in such a terrible way. As an illustration, Iago shamelessly uses Roderigo to help him achieve his ends, Roderigo all along believing Iago to be a trusted friend. Iago’s goal at all costs is to destroy Othello, the Moor of Venice. The other central theme, consistent with Shakespeare’s pattern of making sharp contrasts, is the beautiful relationship between the newly married Othello and Desdemona, a relationship shattered by Iago.

As the play opens, Othello, known as the Moor, a Venetian general, has just promoted Michael Cassio over Iago to the rank of lieutenant, leaving Iago as his ancient, the lowest Venetian officer level, and what he perceives as an insult infuriates him. Iago will gain his revenge. Will he ever. The play begins very early in the morning when Iago and Roderigo awaken Brabantio to tell him that his daughter Desdemona has eloped with Othello and that their whereabouts is unknown. (Resentment, Act 1, Scene 1)

Meanwhile, Cassio locates Othello and alerts him to a serious challenge facing Cyprus, Cyprus being part of the Venetian empire, and that the Duke of Venice, Venice’s political leader, “requires your haste-post appearance, even on the instant.” With fire in his eyes, Brabantio enters and suggests to Othello that he is going to go to prison. Othello says, “What if I do obey?” Othello lets Brabantio know that Venice faces a threat in Cyprus from the Turkish navy and that the duke needs him. Brabantio responds, “Mine’s not an idle cause.”

Brabantio rants on with his thoughts that Othello must have used witchcraft to win his daughter. Othello calmly acknowledges that he and the beautiful and charming Desdemona are married, suggesting “I will a round unvarnished tale deliver of my whole course of love --- what drugs, what charms, what conjuration.” Desdemona is called forward and convincingly lets all know that her love for Othello is real. (Daughter to Father, Act 1, scene 3) Brabantio graciously defers to his daughter.

As expected, the duke orders Othello to lead their effort to thwart the Turkish navel threat. Desdemona convinces the duke and senators that she should join her husband while on assignment in Cyprus. As a side issue, Roderigo, her recent boyfriend, continues to keep her in his thoughts. After listening to her proclaim her love for the Moor, Roderigo says, “I will immediately drown myself.” Iago calls him a fool and promptly enlists him to go with them to Cyprus; to unwittingly help him in his unacknowledged plan to destroy Othello. (Deviousness, Act 1, Scene 3) Iago’s plan is to cause Othello to become seriously jealous of Cassio by causing the Moor to believe that Cassio and Desdemona are more than just friends.

Meanwhile, off the coast of Cyprus, the huge Turkish fleet is lost in a stormy sea. However, separately, Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Cassio, Roderigo and others escape the storm and safely arrive in Cyprus. Othello throws a party to honor their good fortune. Iago promptly begins his long and malicious journey to ruin Othello, baiting Cassio into making complimentary comments about Desdemona while he goes about encouraging Roderigo to provoke Cassio during the party that evening. (Revenge, Act 2, Scene 1) Othello instructs his Lieutenant Cassio “not to celebrate past the point of discretion,” yet Cassio lets Iago talk him into drinking too much; Cassio having told Iago that “I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking.” (Deviousness, Act 2, Scene 3.1) Roderigo initiates a fight with Cassio, which turns into a fight with Montano, a Cypriot official, a fight that infuriates Othello, who lifts Cassio’s commission, telling him, “nevermore be officer of mine.” Cassio is devastated. Disingenuously, Iago suggests Cassio “confess himself freely to Desdemona.” (Deviousness, Act 2, Scene 3.2) Aside, Iago tells us that he plans to tell Othello of Cassio’s “lustful” interest in his wife and how she will “strive to do Cassio good.” To further his plan to set up Cassio as his foil, Iago draws his wife Emilia into the plot, she being Desdemona’s aide.

Perhaps being too naïve, Desdemona tells Cassio, “I will do all my abilities in thy behalf.” As Iago and Othello enter, Cassio quietly slips away. Othello notices Cassio’s departure, and Iago says, “I cannot think it that he would steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming.” (Deception, Act 3, Scene 3) Iago initiates a conversation with Othello, opening the issue of what he says he sees as the too-friendly relationship between Cassio and Desdemona, causing the easily duped Othello to thank him for his insight. Iago says, “I speak not yet of proof,” as he continues to undermine Desdemona’s faithfulness in Othello’s mind, all the while Othello appearing to be guileless. As Iago exits, Othello says, “This honest creature doubtless sees and knows more than he unfolds.” Desdemona enters and criticizes Othello for being late for dinner. He says he has a headache. She presses her handkerchief to his forehead and it falls, unnoticed. Emilia picks it up as Desdemona and Othello exit. (Reflection, Act 3, Scene 3) Emilia innocently mentions to Iago that she has the handkerchief. He grabs it, taking it from her, telling her, “not to admit to knowing about it.” Iago plants the handkerchief in Cassio’s bedroom. An angry Othello, reflecting on what Iago has been saying, enters, telling Iago “Give me ocular proof.” (Ruthlessness, Act 3, Scene 3) Iago tells Othello that he overheard Cassio talking of Desdemona in his sleep, and that he saw Cassio with a beautiful “handkerchief spotted with strawberries.” Othello responds, “’Twas my first gift to her.” With no sense of conscience, Iago pledges his service and loyalty to Othello. Othello challenges Iago’s loyalty, saying “within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio’s not alive.” Iago says, “My friend is dead.” Othello says, “Now art thou my lieutenant.” (Reflection, Act 3, Scene 4)

Meanwhile Desdemona frets over the loss of her handkerchief. Emilia pleads innocence. Othello enters and asks Desdemona for the handkerchief. Desdemona dances around the issue, changing the subject, asking him to reinstate Cassio. Othello angrily exits. Desdemona wonders aloud that “something from Venice or earlier undisclosed matter” is bothering him. Emilia responds, “Lady, amen.” Meanwhile Cassio asks his Cypriot girlfriend Bianca to take the stitching out of the handkerchief. Bianca becomes jealous, saying, “This is some token from a newer friend.” (Braggadocio, Act 4, Scene 1)

Meanwhile, persistent Iago continues to torment Othello over the missing handkerchief. Othello stands aside. Cassio enters and brags to Iago about how much Bianca loves him. A jealous Bianca enters, telling Cassio that she will “take out no work” on the handkerchief. Cassio and Bianca exit. Overhearing the comment, an infuriated Othello comes forward saying, “Get me some poison, Iago.” Iago responds, “Strangle her in bed.” Othello returns home and confronts his wife directly. (Husband to Wife, Act 4, Scene 2)

Meanwhile Lodovico, a kinsman of Brabantio, arrives from Venice. Soon after Lodovico’s arrival, sweetheart Desdemona innocently tells him that Cassio is in Othello’s doghouse, and she’s upset “for the love I bear for Cassio.” Othello strikes her, not surprisingly upsetting a disbelieving Lodovico. Lodovico hands Othello a paper from Venice that lets him know that he is to return to Venice and that Cassio is to replace him as governor of Cyprus. The news shocks and disappoints Othello, to say the least. A frustrated Othello takes his anger out on his wife, letting her know how upset he is with her. She responds, “What ignorant sin have I committed?” In turn, Desdemona seeks sympathy from Iago. (Despair, Act 4, Scene 2) Separately, Roderigo is upset with Iago, having given him jewels to give to Desdemona; jewels that he says would “have corrupted a nun.” Roderigo says to Iago “you have told me she received them and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance, but I find none.” Having kept the jewels, ever persuasive Iago convinces Roderigo that Cassio is the problem and that the two of them need by “some accident remove Cassio.”

Meanwhile Othello commands Desdemona to “get you to bed on th’ instant” and to “dismiss your assistant there,” meaning Emilia. Desdemona asks Emilia if there are wives who would be unfaithful, and Emilia replies, “There be some such, no question.” (Reflection, Act 4, Scene 3) Emilia proceeds to offer Desdemona her thoughts on the circumstances where women might be unfaithful, and says, “Else let them know, the ills we do, their ills instruct us so.”

By this time Iago has talked Roderigo into making an attempt to kill Cassio. But in his effort to kill Cassio, he only wounds him, and in the scuffle seriously wounds himself. (Ruthlessness, Act 5, Scene 1) Feeling he is at risk of disclosure, Iago kills the badly injured and defenseless Roderigo, his long time friend. Cassio survives. Separately, Othello wakens Desdemona, who had sensed the end for her was near, but nonetheless had carefully followed his instructions. He then suffocates her. (Remorse, Act 5, Scene 2.1) Othello exits. Emilia enters and asks a dying Desdemona, “who hath done this deed?” Desdemona casually responds, “Nobody. I myself. Commend me to my kind lord.” Othello soon comes to realize through Emilia’s comments and actions that he has been seriously duped by Iago. Gratiano, another Venetian official, enters and says, “Poor Desdemon, I am glad thy father’s dead.” (Remorse, Act 5, Scene 2.2) Since Emilia won’t stop telling it like it is, Iago kills her, exits, but is soon captured. Othello, realizing how desperate things are for him, becomes genuinely remorseful, saying “In my sense ‘tis happiness to die.” Lodovico announces, “Cassio rules in Cyprus.” Othello tells Lodovico how he wants to be remembered, and then kills himself. (Pride, Act 5, Scene 2) A guarded Iago is turned over to Cassio. This is another of Shakespeare’s tragic love stories, billed as just a tragedy.


Principal Characters

Bianca
Bianca is Cassio’s girlfriend in Cyprus. She seems to genuinely care for him, but Shakespeare seems to give her a short shrift, in our view. She doesn’t have a big role, but it’s an important role.

Brabantio
Brabantio is Desdemona’s father. He is a Venetian senator and is only involved in the first part of the play. He is not pleased when Desdemona elopes with Othello.

Cassio
Michael Cassio is described early by Iago as “a great arithmetician, a Florentine, a fellow almost damned in a fair wife, that never set a squadron in the field.” He is Othello’s lieutenant, an issue that grates Iago enormously. Iago later says that “The knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after.” Cassio often doesn’t seem to think for himself, tending to accept whatever suggestions Iago offers as good counsel, seeming to be guileless, naïve and undisciplined. Cassio ends up badly injured, but at the end of the play becomes the ruling Venetian in Cyprus.

Desdemona
Desdemona is a Venetian, Othello’s wife and Brabantio’s daughter. Her nickname is Desdemon. She is at the center of the play; her speaking role not representing her influence. She is beautiful, charming, and loyal to her husband and true to her friends. We think she’s the greatest.

Emilia
Emilia is Iago’s intrepid wife and Desdemona’s attendant. Iago uses Emilia as he does just about everyone else; that is to further his aim to discredit and destroy Othello. She is very strong, standing up directly to both Othello and her husband, who when push comes to shove, kills her. She is loyal to Desdemona throughout. She’s a heroine of the play.

Iago
Iago is a standard-bearer or “ancient” in the Venetian army unit commanded by Othello; an ancient being the lowest ranking commissioned officer in the infantry. He has been cast by Shakespeare as so incredibly wicked, that we believe Shakespeare has in Iago created someone who is given characteristics that are so evil that they are beyond the capacity of any human to even consider. He is twenty-eight years old, and no doubt clever and quick, but is also the quintessential user of people to further his vengeful agenda, most of his associates seeming to be naïve and gullible.

Lodovico
He is a Venetian senator and is related to Brabantio. He seems to be the senior go-between; the one who represents Venetian policy to the Venetian military people in Cyprus. Othello refers to him as uncle, as he does to Gratiano, another Venetian senator who is also related to Brabantio.

Othello
Othello is known as the Moor of Venice. He is a general in the Venetian army and the senior Venetian military person representing Venice in Cyprus. He seems to be gullible and lack confidence; is called “dull” and “a dolt” by Emilia late in the play. He certainly is in love with Desdemona.

Roderigo
Roderigo thinks Iago is his good friend. Roderigo was Desdemona’s former boyfriend and never gave up the hope of winning her. He gives jewels and gold to Iago to give to her, all of which Iago keeps. Iago uses Roderigo as his foil, misusing him badly, using him for “sport and profit,” killing him in the end.

 A portrait of William Shakespeare