Othello: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in Othello, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- OthelloOthello chooses Cassio as lieutenant and leaves with Brabantio's daughter, provoking Iago's resentment.First seen in scene 1
- IagoIago serves Othello while hiding selfish aims and resenting Cassio's promotion.First seen in scene 1
- DesdemonaDesdemona is Brabantio's daughter, whose departure with Othello alarms her father.First seen in scene 1
- CassioCassio is the man Othello chooses as lieutenant, angering Iago.First seen in scene 1
- RoderigoRoderigo helps Iago wake Brabantio with alarming claims about his daughter and Othello.First seen in scene 1
- BrabantioBrabantio is a father who gathers armed help after discovering his daughter has left.First seen in scene 1
- DukeThe Duke urgently summons Othello over affairs concerning Cyprus.First seen in scene 2
- EmiliaEmilia arrives in Cyprus with Desdemona, Iago, and Roderigo.First seen in scene 4
- MontanoMontano discusses the destructive storm and learns of damage to the Turkish fleet.First seen in scene 4
- BiancaBianca receives from Cassio a handkerchief he says he found in his room.First seen in scene 10
- LodovicoLodovico brings orders recalling Othello and witnesses him strike Desdemona.First seen in scene 11
- Scene 1
Iago and Roderigo alarm Brabantio about his daughter's departure with Othello, and Brabantio gathers armed help.
- Scene 2
Othello prevents a sword fight, and the Duke's summons redirects Brabantio's accusations toward a council hearing.
- Scene 3
Desdemona confirms her choice of Othello, and the council sends him to defend Cyprus against the Turkish fleet.
- Scene 4
Othello reaches Cyprus safely after the storm, while Iago persuades Roderigo to provoke Cassio.
- Scene 5
Othello's Herald announces the Turkish fleet's destruction and celebrations honoring the victory and Othello's marriage.
- Scene 6
Iago engineers a drunken disturbance that leaves Montano wounded and leads Othello to dismiss Cassio.
- Scene 7
Emilia reports Desdemona's support for Cassio and leads him inside to plead his case.
- Scene 8
Othello sends Iago to deliver letters and goes with the gentlemen to inspect the fortification.
- Scene 9
Iago gains Desdemona's dropped handkerchief and convinces Othello to plan her murder and order Cassio's death.
- Scene 10
Othello quarrels with Desdemona over the missing handkerchief, while Cassio gives it to Bianca.
- Scene 11
Othello mistakes Cassio's laughter about Bianca for evidence against Desdemona, then strikes his wife before Lodovico.
- Scene 12
Othello rejects Desdemona's denials and Emilia's defense, while Iago proposes that Roderigo attack Cassio.
- Scene 13
Desdemona prepares for bed and discusses unfaithfulness and mistreatment with Emilia, rejecting harm in return for harm.
- Scene 14
Roderigo attacks Cassio, and Iago secretly wounds Cassio before killing Roderigo while pretending to help.
- Scene 15
Othello smothers Desdemona, Emilia exposes Iago's deception before he kills her, and Othello kills himself after the truth emerges.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- CyprusCyprus is the place whose affairs prompt an urgent summons for Othello.First seen in scene 2
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