Othello: Summary :: essays research papers

Othello Summary*Othello is a tense, closely-knit play, with an ever-increasing emotionalscene. The character Iago, Othellos ancient, is the cause of all the tragedywhich comes to pass as the play progresses. He is a manipulator, opposingOthello not directly, but through other characters whom he tricks. From hisactions throughout the play one sees that Iago was gifted at use other people,to further his own schemes. * set One, Scene One is the most important because itforeshadows the whole drama. Iago gives the reader warning that he is not allthat he seems when he says, "I am not what I am" (I,i). He appears to helpRoderigo, a suitor to Desdemona, who has run off with Othello, the Moorishgeneral of the Venetian army. Iago hates Othello for another reason. insteadof choosing him to be his lieutenant, Othello chose Cassio. In the end of scene,Iago and Roderigo have informed Brabantio about his daughters elopement. Thenthey went to confront Othello with this situation.*At the b eginning of Scene Two of Act One, Iago gives advice to Othello and letshim know what is about to happen. Shortly after their talk Brabantio confrontsOthello about stealing his daughter. Then they all went and saw the Duke.Othello defends himself and asks if Desdemona can testify on the behalf of him.Othello tells how that the only "witchcraft" he used were his stories, and howBrabantio used to invite him up to tell them. Finally, Brabantio disownsDesdemona and she goes to be with Othello.*Near the end of the first scene of the second act, Iago convinces Roderigo, whowas observing Cassios enthusiastic come up to of Desdemona, that Cassio andDesdemona have something going on between them. Thus manipulating Roderigothrough his passion for Desdemona, Iago convinces him to exasperate Cassio to anger,so that the lieutenant will be disgraceed in Othellos look and Iago can takehis position.*In Act II, Scene III, I ago tricks into a drink, knowing that he has a lowtolerance for a lcohol, making it easier for Roderigo to provoke him to fight.Cassio departs the scene, and Iago starts to insinuate to the other soldiers isa bit of a lush. Cassio soon, returns, chasing Roderigo, and when his comradesattempt to restrain him, he strikes at them as well. When Othello arrives onthe scene, Iago makes it seem that he doesnt want to discredit Cassio, but hisinsinuations make Othello discharge his lieutenant. However, as soon as Othellois gone, he goes to Cassio as a helpful friend.