Othello recap

Othello, a respected Venetian general, marries Desdemona and takes her to Cyprus. His ensign Iago, angry over Cassio's promotion, engineers Cassio's dismissal and persuades Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are lovers. A handkerchief dropped by Desdemona and stolen by Emilia becomes Iago's false proof. Othello's trust turns into jealousy; he humiliates Desdemona, orders Cassio's death, and resolves to kill his wife. Iago manipulates Roderigo into attacking Cassio, then kills Roderigo to protect himself, though Cassio survives. Othello kills Desdemona. Emilia reveals Iago's deception, and Iago kills her before being arrested. Once Othello understands that Desdemona was innocent, he kills himself. Cassio is left in command of Cyprus, while Iago faces punishment.

In Venice, Iago tells Roderigo that he hates Othello for promoting Cassio instead of him. The pair awaken Senator Brabantio and report that his daughter Desdemona has secretly married Othello. Brabantio accuses the general of using magic, but an urgent military council is already preparing a defense of Cyprus against the Turks. Before the Duke, Othello explains that Desdemona came to love him through hearing about his life and travels. Desdemona confirms that she chose the marriage. Brabantio reluctantly yields, and Othello is ordered to Cyprus with Desdemona. Iago arranges for the trusting Roderigo to follow them and privately plans to use Cassio and Desdemona to poison Othello's confidence.

A storm destroys the Turkish fleet before Othello's party reaches Cyprus, ending the military danger. Iago notices Cassio's courteous attention to Desdemona and decides to present it as desire. During the island's celebration, he pressures Cassio to drink, sends Roderigo to provoke him, and turns the resulting fight into a public emergency in which Montano is wounded. Othello dismisses Cassio from the lieutenancy. Pretending friendship, Iago advises the disgraced officer to ask Desdemona to plead for his restoration. Cassio follows the advice, while Iago plans to make Desdemona's innocent advocacy look like evidence of an affair.

Desdemona promises Cassio that she will persist until Othello restores him. Iago draws Othello's attention to Cassio leaving her and gradually suggests that their friendship is improper, using hesitation and warnings about jealousy to make the accusation seem reluctant. Othello demands proof but begins doubting his wife. Desdemona drops the handkerchief that was Othello's first gift to her; Emilia finds it and gives it to Iago, who plants it in Cassio's room. Iago falsely reports that Cassio spoke of Desdemona in his sleep and says he saw Cassio with the handkerchief. Othello accepts the story, vows revenge, makes Iago his lieutenant, and orders him to kill Cassio while deciding to kill Desdemona himself.

Unable to produce the missing handkerchief, Desdemona meets Othello's increasingly harsh demands and still tries to help Cassio. Cassio gives the handkerchief to Bianca to copy, unaware of its origin. Iago stages a conversation in which Cassio laughs about Bianca while Othello, hidden at a distance, believes the subject is Desdemona. When Bianca returns the handkerchief, Othello treats the sight as confirmation. Venetian envoys arrive with orders recalling Othello and appointing Cassio in Cyprus. Othello strikes Desdemona in public, alarming Lodovico. He later interrogates and insults her while refusing her denials. Iago assures Roderigo that killing Cassio will prevent Othello's departure and keep alive Roderigo's hopes of winning Desdemona.

Desdemona prepares for bed with Emilia, troubled by Othello's behavior but still devoted to him. In the street, Roderigo attacks Cassio and is wounded; Iago secretly wounds Cassio, then kills Roderigo and shifts suspicion toward Bianca. Othello, hearing the disturbance, assumes Cassio is dead and goes to Desdemona. He accuses her once more and smothers her. Emilia arrives, discovers the killing, and publicly explains that she found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago. Her testimony reveals the entire fraud. Iago kills Emilia and flees but is captured. Othello wounds him, then kills himself after recognizing Desdemona's innocence. Cassio survives and becomes governor of Cyprus. Lodovico takes charge, sending news to Venice and ordering Iago held for judgment.

Othello enters Desdemona's bedroom convinced that she betrayed him and kills her despite her denials. Emilia discovers what has happened and exposes the handkerchief plot: she gave it to Iago, who used it to frame Cassio. Iago kills Emilia when she refuses to stay silent, then is captured after fleeing. Othello wounds Iago, learns that Desdemona and Cassio were innocent, and kills himself beside his wife. Cassio survives the attack and is appointed governor of Cyprus. Lodovico orders that Iago be held for punishment and that Othello's property pass to Gratiano. The Turkish threat has vanished, but Iago's manipulation destroys Othello, Desdemona, Emilia, and Roderigo, leaving Cassio and the Venetian officials to restore civil authority.