Othello | Shakespeare Classics

In Venice, one night, two soldiers were arguing on the streets. One was Roderigo and the other was an ensign named Iago. Roderigo had paid Iago to help him win the hand of the beautiful Desdemona, daughter of Brabanzio. But he learnt that she had married Othello, a Moorish general.

ago hated Othello because he had chosen a young and handsome soldier, Michael Cassio, as a lieutenant instead of him. Iago was a cunning man, whose jealousy made him bitter and evil. He was using Roderigo only as a tool to harm Othello and Cassio.

At this time, Cassio had carried a message from the Duke for Othello, ordering him to go immediately to Cyprus that had been attacked by the Turks. Just then, Brabanzio, Desdemona’s father, arrived and accused Othello of kidnapping his daughter. He had been told about it by Iago.

Since, Othello had been summoned by the Duke, Brabanzio went with him to complain about Othello. But there, he learnt that his daughter had married Othello and the Duke supported Othello, who was known to be a good man and a fine general. The Duke permitted Desdemona to go to Cyprus with Othello.

Othello reached Cyprus to find that the Turkish navy had been destroyed in a storm at sea. Iago noticed that Cassio had bowed over Desdemona’s hand to welcome her. His evil mind began to plan how he could use Cassio and Desdemona to his own advantage, even if it meant destroying them.

That night, Othello announced a celebration at the destruction of the Turks. Lodovico, a soldier, was ordered to inform everyone. Before the celebrations, Roderigo confided in Iago that now he had no hope of winning Desdemona, since she had married Othello. Iago advised him not to lose heart, “For, Desdemona will lose interest in Othello very soon.” Iago planned first to destroy Cassio’s reputation.

Iago persuaded Cassio to get drunk that night. Then, Roderigo picked up a quarrel with Cassio and in the fight, another officer, Montano, got injured. Iago narrated this incident to Othello in such a way that he became very angry with Cassio and removed him from his rank. Iago acted as Cassio’s friend and advised him, “Seek help from Desdemona to get back Othello’s regard and your rank.”

Iago even helped Cassio fix an appointment to meet Desdemona alone. Being kind-hearted, she promised to help Cassio. Iago ensured that he and Othello were in time to see Cassio talking to her. When Cassio left without speaking to Othello, he was deeply suspicious and angry.

Iago poisoned Othello’s mind by telling him that Cassio and Desdemona were in love. He knew that Othello was worried about being a dark-skinned Moor while Cassio was a handsome man. Later, when Desdemona requested Othello to consider placing Cassio back as a trusted lieutenant, he became even more suspicious. His behaviour towards Desdemona was that of jealousy and anger.

Some days later, when Desdemona found Othello looking ill, she offered him her embroidered handkerchief. Othello dropped it. It was picked up quietly by Iago’s wife, Emilia, because he wanted her to bring something belonging to Desdemona. Emilia did not know that Iago secretly planted the handkerchief in Cassio’s room. Then, he told Othello that Desdemona had given her handkerchief to Cassio. Othello asked Desdemona for the handkerchief, and when she couldn’t find it, Othello thought his suspicion was confirmed!

Cassio, finding it in his room, presented the handkerchief to Bianca, the girl he loved. Iago asked Othello to hide and overhear his conversation with Cassio. Iago talked to Cassio about Bianca and Cassio spoke lovingly about her. But since Iago never mentioned her name, Othello thought Cassio was speaking about Desdemona!

From Venice, meanwhile, the Duke sent a letter with Lodovico ordering Othello to return to Venice. There was no danger from the Turks now. He appointed Cassio as the commander of the troops at Cyprus. Frustrated at being called back and unable to bear Cassio’s promotion, Othello vented his anger on Desdemona by hitting her!

Emilia saw the incident and told Desdemona to leave Othello. But Desdemona loved Othello and was upset by his unfairness and dreadful behaviour. She asked him why he was angry. Othello accused Desdemona of being unfaithful! Poor Desdemona could not understand how he could believe such a thing about her!

Meanwhile, Iago pushed Roderigo into a fight to kill Cassio. But in the skirmish Roderigo was injured by Cassio. Iago took advantage of the darkness and stabbed Cassio and ran away. Later, when others were present, he killed Roderigo as punishment for attacking Cassio. Actually, he didn’t want Roderigo to reveal his own evil plans!

Othello was completely blinded with rage and jealousy. He did not realise that Iago was playing on his mind and was evil. In a fit of rage, he strangled Desdemona. At that moment, Emilia came running in, to give information about Roderigo’s death and Cassio’s injury, and stood shocked.

Othello told Emilia what Iago had said about Desdemona’s unfaithfulness, proved by the handkerchief! Emilia explained the truth about the handkerchief. Othello was furious with Iago, but before he could attack him, Iago killed Emilia and escaped, only to be arrested and executed later. Lodovico informed Othello that he would have to return to face trial in Venice. Grief-stricken at his own guilt, Othello killed himself.

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