John McRae is Special Professor of Language in Literature Studies and Teaching Associate in the School of English at Nottingham University, and holds Visiting Professorships in China, Malaysia, Spain and the USA. Students using a different version of the play may encounter slight differences in both the text and line numbers. Note: We used the Arden edition of the play (Third Series, Revised Edition, ed. We begin with a broad introduction to the historical, political and intellectual context of early 17th-century England, before going through the play scene-by-scene, providing close reading and detailed analysis, with commentary on character, plot, themes and motifs, language, symbolism, and more. In this twenty-one part course, Professor John McRae (University of Nottingham) explores Shakespeare’s Othello. In particular, we focus on: (i) the contrast between the characters of Iago and Othello, both physically and otherwise (ii) the plot twist as Othello is summoned to the Duke … but not for the reasons we have been led to expect (iii) the uneasy relationship between Cassio and Iago and (iv) the uneasy relationship between Othello and Brabantio. Othello stabs Iago, leaving him to live in pain, and then, before banishment, from Cyprus, kills himself.In this module, we explore Act 1, Scene 2, in which Othello is summoned by the Duke to deal with some business. They have found letters in Roderigo's pocket explaining Iago's entire scheme. Montano, Lodovico, Gratiano, and Cassio enter the bedroom to bring news. As Emilia tells Othello the truth behind Iago's trickery, Iago stabs and kills her. Iago enters and tries to persist with his plan, yet his wife disrupts his action. She tells Othello that he is misled and that Desdemona was never unfaithful. Emilia enters and witnesses her dying mistress.

Othello is torn between his love for his wife and his jealousy and hatred of such a possible 'whore,' so he smothers Desdemona to death. Roderigo, however, is in the way of Iago's evil, so Iago kills him in the dark and blames others for Roderigo's death. Iago and Roderigo continue to pursue Iago's destruction of Othello. Bianca, the common seamstress mistress of Cassio, also becomes jealous when she sees the handkerchief in Cassio's room, for she also believes him to be having an affair. Upon realization of such a fact, Othello becomes mad with rage. Iago plants it in Cassio's room so that he may show Othello proof of his relationship with Desdemona. The handkerchief is an Egyptian heirloom that Othello gave to Desdemona as the first symbol of his love for her. Emilia picks it up and gives it to Iago at his request. Despite this meaningless talk, Othello demands proof and evidence of such an affair.ĭuring one of their conversations, Desdemona drops her treasured handkerchief on the floor. Othello slowly transforms into a jealous monster. Despite the aforementioned mistreatment it is suggested Othello may receive, there is also implications that the. As she speaks with her beloved husband, however, Iago infers that her words are not platonic, but amorous. Othello: One of the most notable things about Othello from this scene is his authoritative presence, as he stops the potential confrontation with words alone, ‘were it my cue to fight, I should have known it without a prompter’. Cassio befriends Desdemona, who does, in fact, attempt to sway Othello in his behalf. By doing so, Iago will plan the seed of jealousy in Othello's mind that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. Iago tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to speak with Othello on his behalf. Because of the chaos, Cassio's reputation is seemingly smeared and his relationship becomes troubled with Othello. A typically sober Cassio takes to the bottle at Iago's generosity, and then falls into duel with Roderigo. During a festive evening celebrating the nuptials of Desdemona and Othello, Iago sends Roderigo to stir Cassio. In Cyprus, Iago begins his devilish plan of destruction. Othello leaves for Cyprus and Desdemona soon follows him there. Desdemona informs her father that she is in love with Othello and has married him. The Duke oversees the case between Brabantio and Othello, whom he believes to have bewitched his daughter with magic.

Iago awakens Brabantio in the middle of the night to notify him of his daughter's elopement with Othello, much to everyone's surprise and disapproval. Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman is in love with Desdemona, the daughter of Senator Brabantio. Iago is enraged at his misfortunate and declares his hatred for the Moor. Othello, the Moorish general, made Cassio Lieutenant. Iago complains to Roderigo that he was not named Lieutenant by Othello, but rather Ensign.

Othello act 5 scene 2