243
weaves a plot to make Othello
believe that Desdemona gave it
to Cassio as a token of love.
Iago continues to weave his
web of deceit around Othello,
telling him that Cassio has
admitted committing adultery with
Desdemona. Othello is consumed
by jealousy, refusing to speak with
Desdemona. Othello suffers an
epileptic fit, after which he resolves
to kill Cassio and Desdemona.
When Desdemona’s cousin,
Lodovico, arrives as an ambassador
from Venice, he sees Othello strike
Desdemona in public. Roderigo
grows restless at his lack of
progress in wooing Desdemona.
Iago persuades him to kill Cassio.
During their struggle, Cassio fatally
wounds Roderigo, who confesses
his part in Iago’s plot.
At the same time, Othello
wakes Desdemona from her sleep.
He asks her to pray for forgiveness
for what she has done. He can then
murder her with a clear conscience.
Desdemona swears her innocence,
but he smothers her with a pillow,
whereupon Emilia enters and
accuses Othello of murder.
Desdemona revives briefly, falselyTHE KING’S MAN
Act 3 Act 4 Act 5
telling Emilia that she has killed
herself. When the others enter
the chamber to inform Othello of
Roderigo’s death, they discover
Desdemona’s body and demand an
explanation. Emilia admits taking
the handkerchief. Iago stabs Emilia
to stop her betraying him further,
whereupon Othello immediately
repents of his actions. He asks
forgiveness of all present, and out of
rage drives his dagger into Iago who,
although wounded, is not killed.
Othello stabs himself and dies by
Desdemona’s side, leaving Cassio
in control of the Venetian army. ❯❯3.3
4.1 4.1 5.1
4.1 4.2 5.2
Cassio pleads with
Desdemona to help
him get his job back
but Iago convinces
Othello to interpret
their meeting as
adultery. Othello
swears to punish
Desdemona and
Cassio with death.Iago plagues Othello with
Desdemona’s apparent
infidelity. Othello’s grief
causes him to have an
epileptic fit.Othello loses his
temper and strikes
Desdemona without
explanation.Othello believes that
Cassio has been
murdered on his
command.Iago plants
Desdemona’s
handkerchief in
Cassio’s chamber. He
stages a conversation
with Cassio about a
woman named Bianca
in such a way that
Othello believes them
to be talking crudely
about Desdemona.Othello threatens
Emilia in an attempt to
learn about Cassio’s
visits to Desdemona. She
denies all accusations.Othello chooses to
kill Desdemona
himself, suffocating
her with a pillow.
Emilia denounces
Iago and is killed by
her husband, who is
immediately arrested.5.2
Heartbroken and guilty,
Othello apologizes to
Cassio, who is still alive,
and kills himself. He dies
next to Desdemona.