Check out william shakespeares othello video sparknote. Othello gives iago some letters to send to the venetian senate, and tells him to meet him on. This story has a lot of characters, such as othello, desdemona, iago, cassio. Othello by william shakespeare book summary minute. The tragedy of othello lesson plans othello summary. The force of evil in othello has its origin, like the origin of everything else in the tragedy, in the character of its hero, mark van doren wrote. The text published in the first folio of 1623 seems to have been based on a version revised by shakespeare himself that sticks close to the original almost line by line but introduces numerous.
Othello insists that he is an honorable murderer, but he is driven to kill out of his own shortcomings v. When othello blows out the candle it represents the end of her life. The book this retelling of shakespeares play recounts the story of othello, a mercenary soldier who falls in love with the lords daughter, desdemona. But roderigo has just learned that desdemona has married othello, a general whom iago begrudgingly serves as ensign. In the opening of the play, roderigo, a young gentleman who loved and hoped to get desdemona, is talking about the elopement of desdemona with othello. Othello summary at wikisummaries, free book summaries.
He is a military man, with a reputation for courage in battle and good judgment in military matters. Quick and easy othello synopsis, analysis, and discussion of major characters and themes in the play. Othello was an admired general of a big and powerful doge of venices military. He is jealous of cassio for obtaining the position of lieutenant over him, jealous of othellobelieving that he has bedded his wifeand jealous of othellos position. Shakespeares sources for othello movie adaptations full book quiz. Othello a brilliant military mind and respected leader in venices elitist society, othello is a moor an african and is not fully excepted because of his origins and color. Othello, hearing cassios cries for help, believes that half of the revenge is completed and hastens to fulfil his undertaking. Roderigo has been paying iago to help him in his suit to desdemona. Othello summary is divided by the five acts of the play and is an an ideal introduction before reading the original text. Summary in the opening of the play, roderigo, a young gentleman who loved and hoped to get desdemona, is talking about the elopement of desdemona with othello, the moor. The villainous iago plans and executes his elaborate revenge on othello.
Iago says he hates othello, who recently passed him over for the position of lieutenant in favor of the inexperienced soldier michael cassio. This 36page guide for othello by william shakespeare includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 15 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. I have an exam on it today and i just dont understand the book why do. Act 1, scene 1 othello and desdemonia are married takes place in venice starts in the middle of an argument between roderigo and iago iago has been passed over for the job of lieutenant roderigo pays iago to help him get desdemona two men yell that roderigo. William shakespeares play, othello, is a powerful story of race, love, jealousy and betrayal. She is the noblest and most unselfish character in the play. Othello takes the hint and says something like, well, i tell my stories pretty well, so maybe we should be friends. Othello questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on othello. Card sort and powerpoint providing a summary of the key plot points in othello. In spite of his elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race.
Desdemona immediately and enthusiastically begins to beg othello to pardon cassio, as she promised, and will not stop her pleading until othello, preoccupied with other thoughts, agrees. This leaves his mind susceptible to the tragic poisoning by the scheming iago, even though desdemona has done nothing wrong. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the. William shakespeares othello takes place in 16thcentury venice and also cyprus. Othellos agitation at what he hears brings on an epileptic fit. Othello notices cassios speedy departure, and iago quickly seizes the opportunity to point out that cassio seems to be trying to avoid the moor. Othello, in full othello, the moor of venice, tragedy in five acts by william shakespeare, written in 160304 and published in 1622 in a quarto edition from a transcript of an authorial manuscript.
Othello begins on a street in venice, in the midst of an argument between roderigo, a rich man, and iago. Summary plot overview othello begins on a street in venice, in the midst of an argument between roderigo, a rich man, and iago. This is a quick book summary of othello by william shakespeare. Brabantio was dead set on poking othello full of holes but unfortunately for our. The story of an african general in the venetian army who is tricked into suspecting his wife of adultery, othello is a tragedy of sexual jealousy.
Bertie runs away to avoid his new wife, helena, but she follows him and tricks him into being her. Shakespeares famous play of love turned bad by unfounded jealousy, begins in venice with iago, a soldier under othellos command arguing with roderigo, a wealthy venetian. He was appreciated for being a goodhearted man that was loved between him superiors and inferiors. Othello is a general in the venetian army, and he just chose another man, cassio, to be his lieutenant. When he eventually finds out and is completely furious he. The duke, however, takes othellos side in the matter, partially due to othellos earnest professions of love for desdemona and his description of how they fell in love. After many successful military ventures, he finds and falls in love with desdemona, the daughter of a senator. Iago then insults cassio by saying that he is book smart but knows nothing of battle.
Act i scene 1 when roderigo learns that desdemonas hand in marriage, for which he had handsomely paid iago, has been given to othello, he accuses iago of fraud, of making himroderigobelieve that iagos hatred of othello would stand in the way of othellos love for desdemona and pave the way to the consummation of hisrodrigosardor for desdemona. Iago first asks roderigo to tell desdemonas father, brabantio, that his daughter has left to marry othello, a marriage brabantio opposes because othello is a moor. Iago knows that desdemona, the daughter of nobleman brabantio, has run off to. Act 1 scene 1 the shakespearian play othello begins on a street in venice, with an argument between roderigo and iago.
Find out where the infamous moor went wrong, and read some of the famous quotes from the play. Brabantio, othello, and desdemona appear before the duke of venice. Othello even strikes her in the presence of her relative, lodovico, who has arrived as an ambassador from venice. Roderigo and iago go to inform about the incident to her father senator brabantio. But though othello has some sense again, he still wounds iago. We learn that iago is angry that othello passed him up for the position of lieutenant choosing michael cassio instead. Othello, a moorish general in the venetian army, and his treacherous ensign, iago. To blame desdemonas death on iago is to turn othello into a pawn, and that violates the. The story revolves around its two central characters.
Iago tells roderigo that he serves othello, the moor who is the armys general, only in order to serve himself. At the heart of shakespeares othello is the doomed romance between othello and desdemona. Othello short summary by william shakespeare othello is considered to be one of the best tragedies of all times. In this lesson, meet shakespeares tragic hero, othello, and some of his friends and foes. Othello short summary by shakespeare english summary. His successful profession brings him high status in venice, but his foreign origins and color separate him from those with whom he lives and works. The villain iago from othello is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding shakespeares entire play. Read a character analysis of othello, plot summary, and important quotes. Asroderigodespairsoverthe lossofdesdemona, iagoadvises him tofollowherto cyprus,promisingthatherloveforothellowillnotlast. Othello by william shakespeare book summary minute book. The play takes place in venice as two friends, roderigo, and iago, are arguing. This angers iago, who wanted the position for himself. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. He tells her to pray a last prayer as he has no wish to kill her soul.
Othello a moor an african, a general in the defense forces of the city state of venice. Quick and easy othello synopsis, analysis, and discussion of major characters and. They are in love, but othello cant get past his selfdoubt as to why such a lovely woman would love him. Although brabantio accuses othello of seducing his daughter by witchcraft, othello. Everyone knew him for his strength and determination.
Desdemona cannot understand othellos change of attitude towards her. Youll also get a brief summary of each play by shakespeare, if you need help remembering what a specific play is about. Read a brief othello summary, five minute read or listen. Desdemona, a woman roderigo hoped to marry, has already been married to othello, a venetian general. This story has a lot of characters, such as othello, desdemona, iago, cassio, and. Daughter of brabantio, wife of othello, and victim of iagos machinations and othellos jealousy. Over her protests that she loves him and is innocent, he smothers her. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Roderigo is angry with iago for neglecting to tell him about othello and desdemonas elopement. Emilia enters and desdemona revives for a moment, declaring herself guiltless. Othello the tragedy of othello, the moor of venice is a tragedy by william shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603. In the opening scene, iago complains to roderigo that othello, his commander, has passed him over to promote the handsome young cassio to be his lieutenant.
A christian moor and general of the armies of venice, othello is an eloquent and physically powerful figure, respected by all those around him. Iago, an ensign in the venetian army, is bitter about being passed over for lieutenant in favor of cassio. Othello, the protagonist of the tragedy is trapped in the conspiracies. The rich roderigo has been paying iago to help him get desdemona love, but he has seen no progress. A complete summary of william shakespeares play, othello. First performed around 1604, the play is also a pioneering exploration of racial prejudice. Because othello is black and desdemona white, there is a great deal of controversy surrounding their marriage. The basic historical context and background to the plot is thought to have come from geraldi cinthios book, hundred stories. The question and answer section for othello is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Othello claims desdemona loves him for the dangers he had escaped, and he loves her for the pity with which she appreciates his dangerous escapes. Othello hurries to the duke, brabantio following along, intent on confronting othello about desdemona. Iago is able to plant his cruel seeds of jealousy only because othellos character is so thoroughly prepared to receive them. Othello summary shakespeare s othello is a tragic tale of jealousy and deceit set in venice. Iago and roderigo decide to get back at othello by making a nighttime visit to brabantio, the father of desdemona a. One of shakespeares more famous plays, othello is a classic tragedy featuring love, jealousy, and ultimately, death. In the opening scene, iago complains to roderigo thatothello, his commander, has passed him over to promote the handsome young cassio to be his lieutenant. Shakespeares othello is a tragic tale of jealousy and deceit set in venice. In this lesson, we will explore some of the plays strongest themes. Roderigo has just found out that desdemona has married othello, a general whom iago serves as a. Find out more about how iago manipulates everyone around him and the rise of othellos jealousy. He says hes going to put out the light and then put. Othello who is a noble black warrior in the venetian army that secretly married a beautiful white woman called desdemona who is the daughter of a prominent senator named brabantio.
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