Love and the Discordancy of Military Heroism.Othello stabs Iago but does not kill him, turning a hidden sword on himself as he is arrested for Desdemona’s murder. When Othello mentions the handkerchief as proof of Desdemona’s affair, Emilia realizes Iago’s plot and exposes him, sending Iago into a rage, killing Emilia. Othello confronts Desdemona about Cassio and ends up strangling her, but Emilia arrives shortly afterwards and calls for help. Iago kills Roderigo to keep him silent, and accuses Bianca of arranging to kill Cassio. Roderigo attacks Cassio as he is leaving Bianca’s, but he is hurt Iago (in disguise) attacks Cassio and then pretends to arrive on scene to help. Iago convinces Roderigo to do it for him, and Othello proceeds to treat Desdemona horribly. He resolves to kill Desdemona and asks Iago to kill Cassio. In reality, he asks Cassio about his affair with a woman named Bianca, but Othello misses the name and thinks he’s talking about Desdemona. Iago plants the handkerchief in Cassio’s room, and tells Othello to listen while he gets Cassio to talk about the affair. He convinces Othello that something is going on between Cassio and Desdemona, and portrays himself as Othello’s only trustworthy confidante. Iago takes it, knowing it will come in handy later on. Iago then sends Cassio to ask Desdemona if there is any way that she can convince her husband to reinstate him.Įmilia, Desdemona’s attendant on the trip, picks up a handkerchief that Desdemona drops. Othello blames Cassio for the fight and strips him of his rank. Iago gets Cassio drunk and provokes him into a fight with Roderigo. Once the party arrives, they discover that the Turkish fleet was destroyed in a storm. Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Cassio, Roderigo, and Iago’s wife Emilia sail to Cyprus to fight the Turkish forces who have landed there.

Desdemona defends Othello, and their marriage is validated before the Duke.

Iago sends Roderigo to Desdemona’s father Brabantio, who accuses Othello of making Desdemona marry him through witchcraft. Iago agrees to help Roderigo get Othello out of the picture.

Roderigo is in love with a woman named Desdemona, who has already secretly married Othello. Iago is determined to destroy Othello, a successful Venetian general who promoted another man named Cassio to lieutenant instead of him.

Shakespeare william othello