Othello: Summary :: essays research papers

Othello: Summary *Othello is a tense, closely-knit play, with an ever-increasing emotional scene. The character Iago, Othello's ancient, is the cause of all the tragedy which comes to pass as the play progresses. He is a manipulator, opposing Othello not directly, but through other characters whom he tricks. From his actions throughout the play one sees that Iago was gifted at using other people, to further his own schemes. *Act One, Scene One is the most important because it foreshadows the whole drama. Iago gives the reader warning that he is not all that he seems when he says, "I am not what I am" (I,i). He appears to help Roderigo, a suitor to Desdemona, who has run off with Othello, the Moorish general of the Venetian army. Iago hates Othello for another reason. instead of choosing him to be his lieutenant, Othello chose Cassio. In the end of scene, Iago and Roderigo have informed Brabantio about his daughter's elopement. Then they went to confront Othello with this situation. *At the beginning of Scene Two of Act One, Iago gives advice to Othello and lets him know what is about to happen. Shortly after their talk Brabantio confronts Othello 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 how Brabantio used to invite him up to tell them. Finally, Brabantio disowns Desdemona and she goes to be with Othello. *Near the end of the first scene of the second act, Iago convinces Roderigo, who was observing Cassio's enthusiastic greeting of Desdemona, that Cassio and Desdemona have something going on between them. Thus manipulating Roderigo through his passion for Desdemona, Iago convinces him to provoke Cassio to anger, so that the lieutenant will be discredited in Othello's eyes and Iago can take his position. *In Act II, Scene III, I ago tricks into a drink, knowing that he has a low tolerance for alcohol, making it easier for Roderigo to provoke him to fight. Cassio departs the scene, and Iago starts to insinuate to the other soldiers is a bit of a lush. Cassio soon, returns, chasing Roderigo, and when his comrades attempt to restrain him, he strikes at them as well. When Othello arrives on the scene, Iago makes it seem that he doesn't want to discredit Cassio, but his insinuations make Othello discharge his lieutenant. However, as soon as Othello is gone, he goes to Cassio as a helpful friend.