Othello: Synopsis of play

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  • Othello: A Synopsis
    • Act 1
      • Iago reveals his hatred for Othello and Cassio
      • Roderigo is tired of paying Iago to help seduce the "fair" Desdemona
      • Desdemona has secretly married Othello
        • Iago tells Roderigo to tell Brabantio about Othello and Desdemona's marriage - "An old black ram is tupping your white ewe."
      • Brabantio accuses Othello of stealing Desdemona from him
        • Brabantio and Othello go see the Duke
          • Desdemona reveals that she loves Othello
            • Brabantio disowns his daughter
      • The Duke sends Othello and his army to Cyprus
        • Othello agrees to let Desdemona come with him. Desdemona is put in Emilia's care
          • Iago reveals his plan,through a soliloquy, to convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio (Act 1, Scene 3)
            • Iago tells Roderigo to come to Cyprus
    • Act 2
      • A storm destroys the Turkish fleet
        • The Venetians arrive safely
      • Iago tells Roderigo that Cassio is another love rival
        • Iago convinces Roderigo to start a fight with Cassio
      • Iago convinces Cassio to drink
        • Cassio gets into a druken fight with Roderigo
          • Cassio stabs Montano
            • Othello removes Cassio from his position
              • Iago tells Cassio to speak to Desdemona so she can ask Othello to give him his job back
    • Act 3
      • Desdemona asks Othello to reinstate Cassio
        • Iago encourages Othello to think that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio
      • Othello feels ill and Desdemona dabs his forehead with the handkerchief
        • Desdemona accidentally drops the handkerchief and Emilia picks it up
          • Emilia gives it to Iago
            • Iago puts it in Cassio's lodgings
      • Othello asks Iago for proof  of the affair
        • Iago tells Othello about Cassio having the handkerchief
          • Othello believes this and asks Iago to kill Cassio, making "honest" Iago his lieutenant
      • Cassio asks Bianca to make a copy of the handkerchief, but Bianca worries he has met another lover
    • Act 4
      • Iago continues to plant the seed of doubt in Othello's mind
        • Othello's madness becomes severe
          • Iago persuades Othello to eavesdrop on Cassio
            • When Cassio enters he jokes with Iago about how much Bianca loves him. Othello thinks they are taking about Desdemona
              • Bianca enters, in anger, giving the handkerchief to Cassio
                • This convinces Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him.
                  • Othello again tells Iago to kill Cassio, and reveals his plans to murder Desdemona
      • Othello accuses Desdemona of being unfaithful. Desdemona denies doing anything wrong
      • Roderigo confronts Iago about not being able to seduce Desdemona
        • Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio telling him it will win over Desdemona
    • Act 5
      • Roderigo tries to stab Cassio but Cassio injures him instead
        • Iago secretly stabs Cassio and goes to tell someone about the fight
          • Lodovico, Grantiano arrive with Iago
            • Iago pretends to help and secretly  kills Roderigo so he won't reveal the truth
      • Iago blames Bianca for the fight between Roderigo and Cassio
      • Lodivico tells Othello that he must go on trial for his crimes
        • Othello refuses and kills himself
      • The act ends with Lodovico making Cassio governor and him returning to Venice to tell the Duke what has happened

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