Othello abbreviated

Synopsis


With the play opening in Venice, centuries ago, at a time when it was perhaps known as the world’s major trading center, a man named Iago provides us with the play’s central theme when he casually says to his friend Roderigo “in following the Moor, I follow but myself. I am not what I seem.” The Moor is Othello, is from North Africa and is a general in the Venetian army. As you will soon see, Iago’s actions are so dreadful that they defy one’s imagination to believe there could ever be anyone like this; that anyone could ever treat other people so poorly, regardless of the circumstances. Iago shamelessly uses his friend Roderigo to help him achieve his ends, Iago letting Roderigo believe all along that he is a trusted friend. Iago’s goal is at all costs to destroy Othello, the Moor of Venice. A secondary theme in this play; a theme consistent with Shakespeare’s pattern of making sharp contrasts, is the beautiful relationship he develops between the newly married Othello and Desdemona, a relationship later shattered by Iago.

We learn very early in the play that Othello has recently promoted one Michael Cassio over Iago to the rank of lieutenant, leaving Iago as his ancient, the lowest Venetian officer level. Iago accepts Othello’s appointment as his ancient, but he views the position as an insult and it infuriates him. Iago will gain his revenge. Will he ever. The play begins very early one morning when Iago and Roderigo waken Brabantio, a Venetian senator, to tell him that his daughter Desdemona has eloped with Othello and that their whereabouts is unknown. (Resentment, Act 1, Scene 1)

Cassio locates Othello and alerts him to a serious external threat facing Cyprus, Cyprus being part of the Venetian empire, and that the Duke of Venice, Venice’s senior political leader, “requires your haste-post appearance, even on the instant.” With fire in his eyes, Brabantio enters and confronts Othello, saying “O, thou foul thief, where hast thou stored my daughter? If he do resist, subdue him at his peril.” Othello responds “Whither will you that I go to answer this your charge?” Brabantio says “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 “Your noble self I am sure is sent for, but mine’s not an idle cause.”

Brabantio rants on, suggesting 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 modestly says to her father “But here’s my husband. And so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord.” (Daughter to Father, Act 1, Scene 3) Taken aback, Brabantio says “God be with you! I have done.”

As expected, the duke orders Othello to lead the Venetian effort to thwart Turkey’s navel threat to Cyprus. Desdemona convinces the duke and senators that she should be permitted to join her husband while he’s on assignment in Cyprus. As a side issue, Roderigo, her recent boyfriend, feels the pain of lost love. After listening to her proclaim her love for the Moor, Roderigo says, “I will immediately drown myself.” Iago says to him “Why, thou silly gentleman!” Roderigo says “It is silliness to live, when to live is torment.” But then he says “I confess it is my shame to be so doting, but it is not in my power to amend it.” Iago finally says “Let us unite in our revenge against him. No more drowning, do you hear?” Roderigo says “I am changed” and exits. (Deviousness, Act 1, Scene 3) In a soliloquy, Iago lets us know that his 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 casual friends.

The huge Turkish fleet is lost off the coast of Cyprus 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, and then 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) Having listened to Iago, Roderigo initiates a fight with Cassio that turns into a fight with Montano, a Cypriot official, a fight that infuriates Othello, who then lifts Cassio’s commission, telling him, “nevermore be officer of mine.” Cassio is devastated. Continuing his crusade against Othello, 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.

Sweetheart 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, as does Iago who 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, delicately 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 accepting Iago’s comments at face value. 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, 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)

Desdemona frets over the loss of her handkerchief. Emilia pleads innocence, not wanting to cross her husband. Othello enters and asks Desdemona for the handkerchief. Desdemona dances around the issue, changing the subject, asking him to reinstate Cassio. Othello exits, and he’s angry. 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)

Ever 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)

Lodovico, a kinsman of Brabantio, arrives from Venice. Soon after Lodovico’s arrival, gentle-hearted 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 unnerves 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, innocent Desdemona seeks sympathy from Iago. (Despair, Act 4, Scene 2) Separately, Roderigo is upset with Iago, unable to shed his interest in Desdemona, having given Iago 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.”

At about this point 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. Roderigo attempts to kill Cassio, but in the attempt Roderigo only wounds him, and in the scuffle seriously wounds himself. (Ruthlessness, Act 5, Scene 1) Feeling that possibly truth will out; Iago kills the badly injured, defenseless and long-time friend Roderigo. Cassio survives. Separately, Desdemona being wakened by Othello, she having sensed the end was near, but nonetheless following his instructions carefully, is then suffocated by him. (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 finally 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 genuinely to care for him, but Shakespeare gives 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, seemingly naďve 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 sinister, that we believe Shakespeare has in Iago created someone who is given characteristics that are so wicked that they are beyond the capacity of any human to have. 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 naďve 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 believes Iago to be 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