#Characters in othello full#

She denies being unfaithful, but he smothers her. Iago then accuses Bianca of the failed conspiracy to kill Cassio. When Cassio identifies Roderigo as one of his attackers, Iago secretly stabs Roderigo to death to stop him from revealing the plot. In the darkness, Iago manages to hide his identity, and when Lodovico and Gratiano hear Cassio's cries for help, Iago joins them. During the scuffle, Iago comes from behind Cassio and badly cuts his leg. Roderigo unsuccessfully attacks Cassio in the street after Cassio leaves Bianca's lodgings, as Cassio wounds Roderigo.

Othello weeping over Desdemona's body, by William Salter, c. Meanwhile, Roderigo complains that he has received no results from Iago in return for his money and efforts to win Desdemona, but Iago convinces him to kill Cassio. Othello proceeds to make Desdemona's life miserable and strikes her in front of visiting Venetian nobles. Othello sees this, and Iago convinces him that Cassio received the handkerchief from Desdemona.Įnraged and hurt, Othello resolves to kill his wife and tells Iago to kill Cassio. Later, Bianca accuses Cassio of giving her a second-hand gift which he had received from another lover. Iago goads Cassio on to talk about his affair with Bianca, a local courtesan, but whispers her name so quietly that Othello believes the two men are talking about Desdemona. Iago plants the handkerchief in Cassio's lodgings, then tells Othello to watch Cassio's reactions while Iago questions him. Othello appears and, then being convinced by Iago of his wife's unfaithfulness with his captain, vows with Iago for the death of Desdemona and Cassio, after which he makes Iago his lieutenant. When Desdemona drops a handkerchief (the first gift given to her by Othello), Emilia finds it and gives it to Iago at his request, unaware of what he plans to do with it.

Iago persuades Othello to be suspicious of Cassio and Desdemona's relationship. Cassio, distraught, is then persuaded by Iago to ask Desdemona to persuade her husband to reinstate him. Othello blames Cassio for the disturbance and strips him of his rank. Othello arrives and questions the men as to what happened. This leads to them fighting one another and Montano being injured. Montano tries to calm down an angry and drunk Cassio. In his absence, Iago gets Cassio drunk, and then persuades Roderigo to draw Cassio into a fight. Othello orders a general celebration and leaves to consummate his marriage with Desdemona. The party arrives in Cyprus to find that a storm has destroyed the Turkish fleet. By order of the Duke, Othello leaves Venice to command the Venetian armies against invading Turks on the island of Cyprus, accompanied by his new wife, his new lieutenant Cassio, his ensign Iago, and Iago's wife, Emilia, as Desdemona's attendant. Iago, still in the room, takes note of Brabantio's remark. She has deceived her father, and may thee' (Act I, Sc 3). The senate is satisfied once Desdemona confirms that she loves Othello, but Brabantio leaves, saying that Desdemona will betray Othello: 'Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. Othello explains that, while he was invited to Brabantio's home, Desdemona became enamoured of him for the sad and compelling stories he told of his life before Venice, not because of any witchcraft. Othello defends himself before the Duke of Venice, Brabantio's kinsmen Lodovico and Gratiano, and various senators. Brabantio has no option but to accompany Othello to the Duke's residence, where he accuses Othello of seducing Desdemona by witchcraft. News has arrived in Venice that the Turks are going to attack Cyprus, and Othello is therefore summoned to advise the senators.

#Characters in othello full#

Meanwhile, Iago sneaks away to find Othello and warns him that Brabantio is coming for him.īrabantio, provoked by Roderigo, is enraged and seeks to confront Othello, but he finds Othello's residence full of the Duke of Venice's guards, who prevent violence. Iago tells Roderigo that he plans to exploit Othello for his own advantage and convinces Roderigo to wake Brabantio and tell him about his daughter's elopement. Iago hates Othello for promoting a younger man named Cassio above him, whom Iago considers a less capable soldier than himself. Roderigo is upset because he loves Desdemona and had asked her father, Brabantio, for her hand in marriage.

Roderigo, a wealthy and dissolute gentleman, complains to his friend Iago, an ensign, that Iago has not told him about the recent secret marriage between Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio, a senator, and Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army. Illustration by Percy Anderson for Costume Fanciful, Historical and Theatrical, 1906 Act I