Plot Summary GapFill

Act 1

Scene 1

The play begins with Iago and Roderigo arguing outside   Lodovico'sOthello'sBrabantio'sCassio's house. Both men have a common enemy in Othello, who has promoted Cassio in place of Iago and, in marrying Desdemona, has stolen the woman Roderigo loves. A Venetian   SenatorMagistrateGeneralPrince, Brabantio objects to his daughter Desdemona's relationship with a Moor.

Scene 2

Othello and Iago are in discussion when Cassio approaches them with a request for Othello's presence from   Gratianothe DukeMontanoa Senator. There follows a confrontation between Othello and Brabantio and   GratianoCassioIagoRoderigo, during which Othello calmly dissuades them from violence.

Scene 3

Brabantio accuses Othello of   rapeseditiontheftwitchcraft at the Senate meeting, but the Duke is prepared to listen to both sides of the argument, not wishing to send his finest general to prison, as Cyprus has to be defended. Iago uses Roderigo to further his plan to destroy Othello and Cassio.

Act 2

Scene 1

The current Governor of Cyprus,   RoderigoMontanoLodovicoGratiano, awaits Othello's arrival. News reaches them that the Turkish fleet has been vanquished and Othello is greeted with great fanfare, choosing to speak first to Desdemona.

Scene 3

Cassio is pressured by Iago and Montano into partaking   beerwinebrandyrum at the celebration, which makes him drunk. Concerns are raised about his suitability to be Othello's second in command. Iago urges Roderigo to start a fight with Cassio, provoking him to respond and accidentally wounding Montano in the process.

Act 3

Scene 1

Dismissed from his position by Othello, Cassio pays   Roderigothe ClownBiancaIago to fetch Emilia, in order that he can set up a meeting with Desdemona. Emilia assures that Othelllo had no choice but to dismiss Cassio due to Montano's injury.

Scene 3

Desdemona and Emilia offer Cassio their support regarding his reinstatement. Othello and Iago arrive as Cassio leaves, allowing Iago to hint at some impropriety. Desdemona has little success in defending Cassio to Othello. Executing his plan, Iago warns Othello not to give in to the green-eyed  monsterladylizardbeauty that is jealousy.

Scene 4

Othello tells Desdemona that he has   an itcha colda headachea fever and asks for her handkerchief, which she does not have. He tells her that the handkerchief, given to his mother by   a Turka Syrianan Egyptiana Mauritanian woman, has magical properties and emotional value. Othello begins to show clear signs of suspicion and jealousy toward Desdemona.

Act 4

Scene 1

Iago sets up the conversation between Cassio and himself, for Othello to overhear and misinterpret. Bianca enters, angry at Cassio, and gives him back the handkerchief, claiming that he lied about finding it in   his clothes trunkhis lodgingshis pocketthe street. Believing now that she is trying to manipulate him, Othello resorts to violence against Desdemona.

Act 5

Scene 1

Iago and Roderigo execute their plan to attack Cassio, with Iago eventually wounding him   in the backin the headin the neckin the leg. In the darkness, Iago evades suspicion, but kills Roderigo to cover his tracks, letting Roderigo be blamed for attacking Cassio.

Scene 2

Othello confronts Desdemona in her chamber. Realising she is to be killed she pleads to be banished instead, or to be given enough time to   plead her innocenceprayrenew her marriage vowsexpose the plot. Othello smothers her before the deed, and Iago's machinations that preceded it are exposed by Emilia, before he murders her. Othello explains his own actions to Lodovico as motivated by  jealousylovehatehonour.