Othello: Scene Summaries

Act 1, Scene 1: Iago and Roderigo discuss their dislike of Othello who has promoted Cassio, not Iago, to be his lieutenant.
Act 1, Scene 2: Othello is accused of seducing Desdemona by her father Brabantio, but he defends himself successfully before the Senate.
Act 1, Scene 3: Iago begins his manipulation of Othello, suggesting Desdemona may fall for Cassio.
Act 2, Scene 1: Othello’s ship survives a storm, but Cassio’s gets separated, initiating a series of misunderstandings and suspicions.
Act 2, Scene 2: Iago convinces Roderigo to provoke Cassio into a fight to disgrace him.
Act 2, Scene 3: Cassio loses his position as lieutenant after getting into a fight while drunk, as part of Iago’s plot.
Act 3, Scene 1: Iago further manipulates the situation, this time convincing Cassio to plead with Desdemona for his job back.
Act 3, Scene 2: Othello’s trust in Desdemona begins to waver under Iago’s manipulations.
Act 3, Scene 3: Iago plants Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s lodging to mislead Othello into thinking Desdemona is unfaithful.
Act 3, Scene 4: Desdemona’s missing handkerchief leads Othello to believe in her unfaithfulness, provoking his jealousy.
Act 4, Scene 1: Othello becomes more paranoid and accuses Desdemona directly of infidelity.
Act 4, Scene 2: Othello interrogates Emilia, Iago’s wife, about Desdemona and Cassio, but doesn’t believe her denials of any impropriety.
Act 4, Scene 3: Desdemona prepares for bed, reminiscing about and singing a sad song from her childhood.
Act 5, Scene 1: Roderigo and Iago attack Cassio in the street, but the plan goes awry and leads to their downfall.
Act 5, Scene 2: In the tragic climax of the play, Othello kills Desdemona, her innocence is revealed, and he takes his own life.