Othello Synopsis
from The Pocket Companion to Shakespeare’s Plays by J C Trewin

Iago, ensign to the Moorish general Othello, in the service of the Venetian republic, is a man inwardly malevolent and envious, outwardly an honest soldier. Resolved, for his own reasons, to revenge himself upon Othello, he begins one midnight in Venice by getting Roderigo – Desdemona’s foolish suitor – to rouse her father with the news that Othello has stolen her. Brabantio at once accuses Othello at the Duke’s hastily convened council which is considering a threatened Turkish attack on Cyprus; but the Moor’s tale of his wooing, and Desdemona’s testimony, persuade all the senators except Brabantio himself. Othello is dispatched to govern Cyprus with his new lieutenant Cassio (of whom Iago is feverishly jealous), Desdemona following them with Iago and his wife Emilia.

The Turkish fleet has been dispersed in a tempest by the time the travelers reach Cyprus (Roderigo, still pursing Desdemona, is also there). On a night of celebration Cassio, who at Iago’s prompting has drunk unwisely, is involved in a brawl and disgraced. At Iago’s suggestion Cassio implores Desdemona to plead his cause; Othello, already distressed by Iago’s hints at infidelity, grows progressively inflamed. Iago makes diabolical play with a handkerchief (Othello’s gift) that Desdemona has dropped and that he ensures Cassio will unwittingly find.

When Othello is overwhelmed by the falsehood that Desdemona is untrue, Iago arranges other “proof”, Othello swears to kill her; and envoys from Venice, who have come to recall him, leaving Cassio as governor, are horrified to see him strike his wife. Iago urges Roderigo to murder Cassio, and when the effort fails, stabs the dupe to death. Othello smothers Desdemona in her bed; Emilia, rousing the citadel, tells the truth about Iago, confirmed when in desperation he kills her. Whereupon Othello stabs himself, Iago is borne off to torture and Cassio rules in Cyprus.