Othello Scene Summaries and Key Quotes

Begins mid-conversation between Roderigo and Iago in a Venetian street. Roderigo despairs that his love, Desdemona, has married another; Iago complains about being passed over for a promotion. The two arrive at Brabantio's house and inform him his daughter has been stolen. Although initially sceptical, he then calls them to his service to help him rescue his daughter.

Iago- Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago.In ollowing him, I follow but myself. Heaven is my judge,

Iago- I will wear my heart on my sleeve / For daws to pick at: I am not who I am.

Iago- Rouse him... poison his delight, Proclaim him in the streets, incense her kinsmen... Plague him with flies.

Iago- Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe.

Brabantio- Is there not charms / By which the property of youth and maidhood / May be abused?

Iago warns Othello (not acting like the savage bestial presentation of the previous scene) that Brabantio is coming for him. Othello dismisses the concern because "services I have done the signory shall out-tongue his complaints". Cassio arrives with a summons for Othello to court. Iago tells Cassio Othello is married, and Brabantio arrives to arrest Othello, but follows him to court in search of 'justice'.

Othello- I love the gentle Desdemona

Iago- By Janus, I think no.

Iago- Faith he hath tonight boarded a land carrack.

Brabantio- (contradicts Othello and Iago with his raw, direct manner of address) a maid so tender, fair, and happy.

Duke and Council discuss imminent invasion of Cyprus by Turks when everyone arrives. Brabantio declares his daughter has been bewitched and stolen. Duke is initially supportive, but grows sceptical when he learns of Othello's involvement. Othello decsribes the courtship between he and Desdemona (his first monologue), which convinces the Duke. Desdemona arrives and choses husband over father; state affairs continue. Othello ordered to combat in Cypus and Desdemona is granted the right to accompany him. Room clears for Iago and Roderigo, who is encouraged to go to Cyprus to win Desdemona. Iago's soliloquy details plan to wreck the marriage in revenge for Othello's slights against him.

Duke- Valiant Othello

Brabantio- She is abused, stolen from me, and corrupted /  By spells and medicines

Othello- Rude am I in my speech

Othello- I won his daughter.

Othello- (Blank verse in a dramatic monologue) with a greedy ear / Devour up my discourse.

Othello- She loved me for the dangers I had passed, / And I loved her that she did pity them.

Duke- I think this tale would win my daughter too.

Desdemona- I saw Othello's visage in his mind, And to his honours and is valiant parts did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.

Desdomona- A moth of peace

Duke- If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-aw is far more fair than black.

Brabantio- Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see / She has decieved her father, and may thee.

Othello- My life upon her faith.

Iago- Virtue? A fig. 'Tis in ourselves in ourselves that we are thus or / thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our / wills are gardeners... But we have reason to / cool our raging motions our carnal stings, our / unbitted lusts; whereof I take this, what you call love, to be a sect or scion.

Iago- (mentions this ten times) Put money in thy purse.

Iago- I hate the Moor.

Iago- The Moor is of a free and open nature, That thinks all men honest that but seem to be so,

Iago- Hell and night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world.

Cyprus' shores- Governor Montano watches a storm  (pathetic fallacy  foreshadowng Othello's rage and metaphor for Iago's rage; physical expression of unleashed passion). Third gentlemen comes to confirm Turks were sunk, but doesn't know if Othello’s ship survived. New ship arrives carrying Iago, Emilia, Desdemona, and Roderigo; then Othello's is spotted. Cassio and Desdemona tease Emilia about being a chatterbox, but Iago criticises women deceptive and hypocritical, saying they are lazy in all matters except sex. Desdemona plays along, laughing as Iago belittles women. Cassio leads Desdemona away to speak with her privately; Iago notices Cassio holding Desdemona’s hand and, in an aside, plots to use Cassio’s hand-holding to frame him so that he loses his promotion to lieutenant. Othello arrives safely and greets Desdemona, expressing his devotion to her and giving her a kiss. All but Roderigo and Iago head to the castle, while Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona will soon tire of Othello and get with Cassio, and convinces Roderigo of this. Iago convinces Roderigo to fight with Cassio so the uproar will make Cassio fall out of favor with Othello. Iago's next soliloquy explains his actions- he secretly lusts after Desdemona, as he suspects Othello has slept with Emilia, and he wants to get even with the Moor. But, Iago continues, if he is unable to get his revenge by sleeping with Desdemona, Roderigo’s accusation of Cassio will make Othello suspect his lieutenant of sleeping with his wife and torture Othello to madness.

Storm desription- The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstruous main.... desperate tempest

Cassio- He hath achieved a maid / That paragons description and wild fame; One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, And in th'essential vesture of creation / Does tire the ingener... The divine Desdemona.

Cassio- Great Jove, Othello guard, And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath, That he may bless the bay with his tall ship,

Desdemona- valiant Cassio

Iago- She puts her tongue a little in her heart and chides with thinking.

Iago- players / in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds... You rise to play and go to bed to work.

Iago- She never yet was folly that was fair, For even her folly helped her to an heir.

Iago- He takes her by the palm... With as a little a web as this I will ensnare as / great a fly as Cassio.

Othello- O my soul's joy!...My soul hath her content so absolute... [Kisses her]

Iago- O you are well tuned now! But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, As honest as I am.

Iago- Her eye must be fed; and what delight / shall she have to look on the devil?

Iago- Now I do love her too; Not out of absolute lust...But partly led to diet my revenge...wife for wife.

Iago- practising upon his peace and quiet, Even to madness.

A Herald announces a celebration of Othello's victory over the drowned Turkish fleet.

Herald- For, beside these beneficial news, / it is the celebration of his nuptial.

Herald- Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus, and our noble general Othello.

Othello leaves Cassio in charge while he goes off for his wedding night. Iago comes over and begins to describe Desdemona as a temptress, but Cassio rebuffs this before beginning to drink (at Iago's insistence). Iago reveals his intention his draw Cassio into disgraing himself during his period of intoxication while telling others that Cassio is an alcoholic. Cassio chases Roderigo onstage, threatening to beat him. As they attempt to restrain him, Cassio stabs Montano and Othello arrives with armed guards before taking over the situation. Iago 'reluctantly' discloses how Cassio chased an unknown, clearly-at-fault man before Montano stepped in. Othello thinks Iago has softened the story for Cassio's sake, before dismissing Cassio as his lieutenant. Desdemona appears and is led back to bed by Othello, who says he'll loook at Montano's wound. Cassio laments his broken repuyation and Iago suggests he appeal to Desdemona for help with Othello. Iago jokes (in another soliloquy) that this advice will further his cause before Roderigo arrives, beaten and angry that Iago has taken his money with nothing to show for it. Iago counsels him to be patient as the plan is working. Roderigo leaves, and Iago cotinues by saying he will have Emilia speak to Desdemona for Cassio and arrange for Othello to witness Desdemona and Cassio's conversation.

Iago- He hath / not yet made wanton the night with her; and she is / sport for Jove... an alarum to love?

Cassio- a most exquisite lady...a most fresh and delicate creature... modest... perfection.

Cassio- Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk... I am not drunk now... you must not think then that I am drunk.

Othello- Honest Iago...On thy love I charge thee... Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee; But nevermore be an officer of mine.

Othello- my gentle love... All's well now sweeting.

Cassio- I have lost the immortal part of myself, / and what remains is bestial.

Iago- Our general's wife is / now the general... he devoted and given up himself to... her parts and graces.

Iago- I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.

Iago-  Even as her appetite shall play the god / With his weak function.How am I then the villain / To counsel Cassio to this parallel course, / Directly to his good?

Iago- So I will turn her virtue into pitch, And out of her goodness make a net that will enmesh them.

Iago- Yet fruits that blossom first will frist be ripe. Content thyself a while.

Iago- bring jump jump when he may Cassio find / Soliciting his wife.

Cassio sends musicians to win over Othello, but a clown mocks them and they leave. Cassio aks the clown to bring Emilia to him so he can ask to speak to Desdemona; clown leaves. Iago enters and says he'll send for Emilia and draw Othello aside so Cassio and Desdemona can talk privately. After Iago leaves, Emilia comes and tells Cassio that Othello and Desdemona have been discussing his case. Desdemona pleaded for Cassio, but Othello worries that Montano’s influence and popularity in Cyprus would hinder Cassio’s reappointment, no matter how much Othello cares for Cassio. Emilia allows Cassio entry and tells him to wait for Desdemona.

Clown- Then put your pipes in your you bag,

Cassiop- send in to your wife; my suit to her / Is that she will to virtuous Desemona / Procure me some access.

Iago- And I'll edvise a mean to draw the Moor / Out of the way

Cassio- I never knew / A Florentine more kind and honest.

Iago- But he protests he loves you

Iago, Othello, and a man walk together at the citadel. Othello gives Iago some letters to deliver to the ship's captain and goes to look at the town’s fortification.

Begins mid-conversation between Emilia, Desdemona and Cassio; Desdemona agrees to defend Cassio to Othello; Iago and Othello enter. Cassio leaves, feeling staying would do no good and Iago draws attention to this, saying that surely Cassio wouldn't behave guiltily because of Othello. Desdemona pleads for Cassio to Othello- Othello agrees to talk to him but won't make plans to do so. She criticises him for his attitude to her request, and he asks her to leave alone (with Iago). Iago begins to insinuate an affair by reminding Othello of the role Cassio played in their courtship. Othello asks Iago for his opinion and Iago avoids answering, planting thoughts of adultery, cuckoldry, and hypocrisy. Othello yells at Iago to speak his mind. Iago suggests Othello watch his wife closely when she is with Cassio. Desdemona and Emilia enter to summon Othello tod inner. Othello says he has a pain in his forehead, and Desdemona offers to bind his head with her handkerchief. Othello pushes her handkerchief away, telling her that it is too small. The handkerchief drops to the floor, where Emilia, staying behind, picks it up, remarking that her husband has asked her to steal it at least a hundred times. Iago enters, and Emilia teases him. He is ecstatic about the handkerchief, and sends her away. Iago gleefully plots to plant the handkerchief in Cassio’s room; Othello enters and flies into a rage. Othello declares his soul is in torment, and that it would be better to be deceived completely than to suspect without proof. He demands that Iago bring him evidence that Desdemona is unfaithful. Iago protests that it would be impossible.

He tells Othello that while Cassio and Iago were sharing a bed, Cassio called out Desdemona’s name in his sleep, wrung Iago’s hand, kissed him hard on the lips, and threw his leg over Iago’s thigh. This story enrages Othello, and Iago reminds him that it was only Cassio’s dream. Iago then claims to have witnessed Cassio wiping his beard with the handkerchief Othello gave Desdemona as her first gift. Furious, Othello cries out for blood. He kneels and vows to heaven that he will take his revenge on Desdemona and Cassio, and Iago kneels with him, vowing to help execute his master’s vengeance. Othello promotes Iago to lieutenant.

Desdemona- My lord shall never rest. / I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience; His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift; I'll intermingle everything he does / With Cassio's suit.

Iago- I cannot think it, That he would sneak away so guilty-like, Seeing you coming.

Desdemona- If I have any grace or power to move you, His present reconciliation take.

Desdemona- Nay, when I have a suit Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed, It shall be full of poise and difficult weight, And fearful to be granted.

Othello- Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul But I do love thee; and when I love thee not, Chaos is come.

Othello- Alas, thou echoest me, As if there were some monster in thy thought / Too hideous to be shown... If thou doest love me, Show me thy thought.

Iago- For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest.

Iago- it is my nature's plague To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy Shapes faults that are not.

Iago- it is my nature's plague To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy Shapes faults that are not.

Iago- O beware my lord of jealousy; It is the green eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on. That cuckold live in bliss.

Othello- Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw / The smallest fear or deoubt of he revolt, For she had eyes and chose me... Away at once with love or jealousy.

Othello- I do not think but Desdemona's honest.

Iago- One may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.

Othello- (His 1st soliloquy) If I do prove her haggard, / Though that her jesses were my dear heart-string, / I'd whistle her off, and let her down tthe wind / To prey at fortune... She's gone. I am abused, and my relief / Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage!

Othello- Your napkin is too little. [He pushes the handkerchief away from him, and she drops it.]

Emilia- I am glad I have found this napkin. This was her first remembrance from the Moor.... She so loves the token,... she reserves it evermore about her

Iago- Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ... The Moor already changes with my poison. Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons,

Othello- Farewell the tranquil mind; farewell content; Farewell the plumed troops, and the big wars That make ambition virtue...Farewell. Othello's occupation's gone.

Othello- Villain, be sure to prove my love a whore... If thou dost slander he and torture me, Never pray more.

Iago- Are you a man?

Othello- I think my wife be honest, and think she is not. / I think that thou art just, and think thou art not... Her name that was as fresh / As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black / As mine own face.

Othello- Give me a living reason she's disloyal... I'll tear her to pieces

Othello- All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. / 'Tis gone. / Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell. Yield up, o love, thy crown and hearted throne / To tyrannous hate.

[Othello kneels] Iago- Do not rise yet. [Iago kneels]

Othello- I will withdraw / To furnish me with some swift means of death / For the fair devil.

Desdeoma tells the clown to find Cassio and tell him she spoke to Othello, and searches for her handkerchief. Othello enters and takes her hand, telling her off for its moistness (suggestion of promiscuity) and asks for the handkerchief. When she cannot and it over, he says how it is an heirloom and symbol of faithfulness. Desdemona is unsettled, especially as Othello repeatedly and with growing vehemence demands the handkerchief. After Othello storms out, Emilia laments the fickleness of men. Cassio and Iago enter, and Cassio immediately pleads with Desdemona for help. Desdemona tells Cassio that Othello is in a bad mood, and Iago promises to help. Emilia speculates that Othello is jealous, but Desdemona maintains that Othello is upset by something political. She tells Cassio to wait while she goes to find Othello and bring him to talk with Cassio. While Cassio waits, Bianca enters, reprimanding him for not visiting her more, and he apologizes, saying that he's stressed. He asks her to copy the embroidery of a handkerchief he recently found in his room onto another handkerchief. Bianca accuses him of making her copy the embroidery of a love gift from some other woman, but Cassio tells her she is being silly. They make a plan to meet later that evening.

Desdemona- I had rather have lsot my purse / Full of crusadoes. And but my noble Moor / Is true of mind and made of no such baseness / As jealous creature are, it were enough / To put him to ill-thinking.

Othello- 'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father / Entriely to love her; but if she lost it / Or made a gift of it, my father's eye / Should hold her loathed, and his spirits should hunt / After new fancies... To lost it or give't away were such perdition / As nothing else could match... There's magic in the web of it.

Emilia- Is not this man jealous?... 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; They eat us hungerly, and when they are full, They belch us.

Desdemona- My advocation is not now in tune;... What I can do I will; and more I will / Than for myself I dare.

Emilia- But jealous souls will not be answered so; / They are not ever jealous for the cause, / But jealous for they're jealous. It is a monster / Begot upon itself, born on itself.

Desdemona- Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind.

Cassio- You are jealous now That this is from some mistress, some rememberance... I found it in my chamber. I like the work well... would have it copied.

Begins mid-conversation between Iago and Othello, Iago goading Othello with the thought of Desdemona and Cassio naked in bed together. This, with the handkerchief as proof of infidelityand Cassio supposedly admitting the affair to Iago, sends Othello into a raging fit. Cassio enters and Iago tells him this has happened before. Othello rouses and is told Cassio came by. Othello hides to see the conversation between Cassio and Iago that will be a repeat of the confession of the affair. Iago admits to the audiencehe will ask about Bianca to goad Othello into misunderstanding. This works- Cassio crudely describes his relationship with Bianca before admtting he's ending things with her when Bianca herself enters to return the handkerchief and deliver the ultimatum. Othello comes out of hiding and plots the murders of Cassio and Desdemona. Desdemona enters with Lodovico from Venice. Othello is irritated by Desdemona speaking to Lodovico, and the orders to leave Cassio in charge so Othello can return to Venice. Desdemona celebrates this, and Othello slaps her. Lodovico is horrified and orders Othello to call Desdemona back and apologise- he does so, but accuses her of infidelity and promiscuity. He tells Lodovico that he'll obey the duke, commands Desdemona to leave, and storms off. Lodovico can't believe that the Othello he has just seen is the same self-controlled man he once knew. He wonders whether Othello is mad, but Iago refuses to answer Lodovico’s questions, telling him that he must see for himself.

Othello- Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm? It is hypocrisy against the devil... The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.

Othello- Lie with her? Lie on her?... Handkerchief- confessions- handkerchief!... Nature would not invest herself / in such shadowing passion without some instruction... O / devil! [Falls into a trance]

Iago- he foams at the mouth, and by and by, / Breaks out to savage madness.

Othello- A horned man's a monter and a beast.

Iago- There's many a beast then in a populaous ciy, / And many a civilised monster.

Iago- 'tis the strumpet's plauge / To beguile many and be beguiled by one.

Othello- Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber.

Othello- How shall I murder him, Iago?

Iago- to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife; she gave it to him, and he hath giv'n it his whore.

Othello- A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!... let her rot and perish, and be damned tonight, / for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to / stone. I strike it nd it hurts my hand.

Othello- I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!

Iago- Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the / bed she hath contaminated.

Desdeomna- Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord / An unkind breach;... A most unhappy one. I would do much / T'atone them, for the love I bear Cassio.

Desdemona- Why, sweet Othello- [Othello strikes her] Othello- Devil! Desdemona- I have not deserved this.

Lodovico- Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate / Call all in all sufficient?... Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?

Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona’s behavior, but Emilia insists that Desdemona has done nothing suspicious. Othello tells Emilia to summon Desdemona, implying while Emilia is gone that she is a madam. Emilia returns with Desdemona, Othello sends Emilia to guard the door. Alone with Desdemona, Othello weeps and states he could have borne any affliction other than the pollution of the “fountain” from which his future children are to flow. When Desdemona fervently denies being unfaithful, Othello sarcastically apologises. Othello storms out and Emilia comes in to comfort her mistress. Desdemona tells Emilia to lay her wedding sheets on the bed for that night. Emilia brings in Iago for Desdemona, and Desdemona tries to find out from him why Othello has been treating her like a whore. Emilia says that Othello must have been deceived by some villain, (the same sort of villain who made Iago suspect Emilia of sleeping with Othello). Iago assures Desdemona that Othello is merely upset by official business, and a trumpet calls Emilia and Desdemona away to dinner. Roderigo enters, furious that he is still frustrated and ready to reveal himself to Desdemona so she'll return the jewels that Iago was supposed to have given her from him. Iago tells Roderigo that Cassio is being assigned to Othello’s place so Othello can go to Mauritania in Africa, (even though he's returning to Venice). He tells Roderigo that the only way to prevent Othello from taking Desdemona away to Africa with him would be to get rid of Cassio. He convinces Roderigo that he is just the man for killing Cassio.

Emilia- Novr even heard, nor ever did suspect... If any wretch have put this in your head, / Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse; / For if she not be honest, chaste and true, / There's no man happy; the purest of wives / Is foul as slander.

Othello- This is a subtle whore,

Desdedemona- I understand a fury in your words, / But not the words.

Desdemona- Your wife, my lord; your true and loyal wife.

Othello- Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.

Othello- The fountain from which my current runs, / Or else dries up; to be discarded thence, / Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads / To knot and gender in.

Othello- Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks; / The bawdy wind, that kisses all it meets / Is hushed within the hollow mine of earth... Impudent strumpet!

Othello- I took you for that cunning whore of Venice / That married with Othello.

Desdemona- (In answer to who is her lord, as she believes she's lost Othello) I have none.

Emilia- Alas Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her, / Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her, / That true heart cannot bear... He called her a whore. A beggar in his drink / Could not have laid such terms upo his caller.

Emilia- The Moor's abused by some villainous knave, / Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.

Desdemona- If e'er my will did treespass 'gainst his love... Unkindness may do much, / And his unkindness my defeat my life, / But neve taint my love.

Roderigo- I will no longer endure it; / nor am I yet persuaded to put up in peace what / already I have foolishly suffered.

Iago- Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place- / knocking out his brains.

After dinner, Othello walks with Lodovico, and sends Desdemona to bed, telling her that he'll come soon and she should dismiss Emilia. Desdemona seems aware of her imminent fate as she prepares for bed. She says if she dies before Emilia, Emilia should use one of the wedding sheets for her shroud. As Emilia helps her mistress to undress, Desdemona sings  “Willow,” about a woman whose love forsook her. She says she learned the song from her mother’s maid, Barbary, who died singing the song after she had been deserted by her lover. The song makes Desdemona think about adultery, and she asks Emilia whether she would cheat on her husband. Emilia says that she would not deceive her husband for jewels or rich clothes, but that the whole world is a huge prize and would outweigh the offense. Emilia then speaks about the truth or female nature being equal to that of men. Desdemona replies that she prefers to answer bad deeds with good deeds rather than with more bad deeds. She readies herself for bed.

Desdemona- my love doth so approve him; / that even his stubborness, his checks, his frowns... have grace and favor in them.

Desdemona- he she loved proved mad / And did foraske her. She had a song of a willow... it expressed her fortune, / And she died singing it... hang my head all at one side, / And sing it like Barbary.

Desdemona- Sing willow, willow, willow; / Her salty tears fell from her and softened the stones

Emilia- (When asked if she'd cheat on Iago) Nor I by this heavenly light. I might do't as / well i'the dark... Why, who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should / venture purgatory for't.

Emilia- I do think it is their husband's faults / If wives do fall... Let husbands know / Their wives sense like them; they see and smell, / And have their palates both for sweet and sour / As husbands have.

Iago sets Roderigo by Bianca's brothel with a rapier to ambush Cassio when he leaves. Iago then leaves, but Roderigo asks him not to go far in case he needs help killing Cassio. Cassio enters, and Roderigo stabs at him but can't pierce Cassio’s armor. Cassio stabs and wounds Roderigo. Iago darts out, stabs Cassio in the leg, and exits. Unaware of who stabbed him, Cassio falls. Othello enters. Hearing Cassio’s cries of murder, Othello believes Iago killed him. Inspired by  Iago’s successful vengeance, Othello returns to his bedroom to kill Desdemona. Lodovico and Graziano enter and hear pained cries. They see nothing in the darkness, and  wary of helping the crying men in case it is a trap. Iago enters carrying a light. He first 'discovers' Cassio, who begs for help, and then stumbles upon Roderigo, who he stabs without hesitation. Graziano and Lodovico are still can't see Iago, and they are unaware of the murder. Finally, the three men come face-to-face, and they question Cassio about his injuries. Bianca enters and begins to cry upon seeing the wounded Cassio. Iago questions Cassio about his assailant, but Cassio can't explain what happened. Iago suggestsRoderigo is to blame- Cassio says that he doesn't know Roderigo. Attendants carry off Cassio and Roderigo’s corpse. Emilia enters, and Iago tells her what has happened, blaming Bianca. He and Emilia chastise Biance. Iago takes Bianca under arrest, and sends Emilia to tell Othello and Desdemona what has happened.

Iago- Quick, quick, fear nothing

Iago- If Cassion  do remain / He hath a daily beauty in his life / That makes me ugly.

Cassio- O help, ho! Light! A surgeon!

Othello- O brave Iago, honest and just, That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong... Strumpet, I come... Thy bed lust-stained shell with lust's blood be spotted.

Roderigo- O demned Iago! O inhuman dog!

Iago- This is the fruits of whoring.

Emilia- Fie, fie upon thee strumpet!

Iago- This the night / That either makes me, or fordoes me quite.

Othello enters with a light and stands over the sleeping Desdemona, preparing to kill her. He kisses her once before he does the deed, she wakes, and he tells her to prepare to die. Growing frightened, Desdemona asks why, and Othello responds that she has been unfaithful to with Cassio- stating the proof of the handkerchief. Othello refuses to believe Desdemona’s denial, saying Cassio confessed but will speak no more, because Iago killed him. Desdemona cries for Cassio, which insenses Othello. She begs to be allowed to live just a little longer, but Othello finally succeeds in smothering her. Emilia calls from outside and Othello, apparently delirious, confuses her cries with Desdemon's and concludes she isn't yet dead. Thinking himself merciful, not wanting his wife to linger in pain, he smothers her again. Othello draws the bed curtains and lets Emilia in. Emilia informs Othello that Cassio killed Roderigo. Othello asks if Cassio is dead too, and Emilia informs him that Cassio lives. As Othello begins to realize that his plans have failed, Desdemona cries out that she's been murdered. She stays alive long enough to deny this statement, telling Emilia she killed herself, then dies. Othello triumphantly admits to killing Desdemona, and relays how Iago proved Desdemona’s falsehood. Unfazed by Othello’s threat that she should remain silent, Emilia calls for help, bringing in Montano, Graziano, and Iago. As Emilia’s accusations reveal Iago's villainy, Othello falls weeping upon the bed that contains next to his dead wife. Graziano expresses relief that Brabanzio is dead and has not lived to see his daughter end this way.

Othello clings to his belief in Iago’s truth and Desdemona’s guilt, mentioning the handkerchief and Cassio’s “confession.” When Othello mentions the handkerchief, Emilia erupts, and Iago, no longer certain that he can keep his plots hidden, threatens her with a sword. Graziano stops him and Emilia explains how she found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago. Othello runs at Iago but is disarmed by Montano. In the commotion, Iago is able to stab his wife, who falls, dying. Iago flees and is pursued by Montano and Graziano. Left alone onstage with the bodies of the two women, Othello searches for another sword. Emilia’s dying words provide eerie background music, as she sings a ****** of the song “Willow.” She tells Othello that Desdemona was chaste and loved him. The others return, and Othello stabs Iago, who then takes a vow of silence. Othello realises the truth, gives his final apologia, and commits suicide.

Othello- It is the cause, it is the cause my soul, my soul- Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars- It is the cause... Yet she must die, else she'll betray more meen. pout out the light, and then put out the light. If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, I can thy former light restore... When I have plucked thy rose, I cannot give it vital growth again, It needs must wither. I'll smell it on the tree. [Kisses her.] O balmy breath, thou dost almost persude Justice to break her sword... So weet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep, But they are cruel teatd. This sorrow's heavenyl, It strikes where it doth love.

Othello- I would not kill thy unprepared spirit; No- heaven forfend!- I would not kill thy soul.

Desdemona- An yet I fear ou; for you're so fatal then / When your eyes roll so... That death's unnatural that kills for loving... Some bloody passion shakes your very frame.

Desdemona- I never did offend you in my life; neber loved Cassio but with such general warranty of heaven As I might love; I never gave him token.

Othello- O perjured woman, thou dost stone my heart, And mak'st me call what I intend to do A murder, which I thought a sacrifice.

Othello- Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse Of sun and moon, and that afflighted globe Should yawn at alteration.

Desdemona- O falsely, falsely murdered!...A guiltless death I die.

Othello- She's a liar gone to burning hell, 'Twas I that killed her... She turned to folly; and she awas a whore... She was a false as water.

Emilia- you the blacker devil... Thou art as rash as fire, to say That she was false. O she was heavenly true... O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love. My husband says she was false?...If he say so, may his pernicious soul Rot half a grain a day. He lies to th'heart.

Gratiano- I am Glad thy father's dead: Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief Shore his old thread in twain.

Emilia- O thou dull Moor, that handkerchief... I found by fortuen and did give my husband... He begged of me to steal it.

Emilia- I shall play the swan, And die in music. Willow, willow, willow- Moor, she was chaste. She loved thee, cruel Moor.

Othello- Cold, cold, my girl, Even like thy chastity.... Whip me, ye devils, From the possession of this heavenly sight. Blow me about in the winds. Roast me in sulphur. Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire.

Lodovico- Where is that viper? Bring the villain forth.

Othello- An honorable murder if you will; For naught I did in hate, but all in honour.

Iago- Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak a word.

Othello- I have done the state some service, and they know't...you must speak of one who loved not wisely, but too well; Of one not easily jealous, bu being wrought perplexed in the extreme... a malignant and turbaned Turk Beat a Venetian and traduced the state, I took by th'throat the circumcised dog, And smote him, thus. [Stabs himself.]... I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

Cassio- he was great of heart.

Lodovico- O Sprtan dog, More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea, look on the tragic loading of this bed. This is thy work The object poisons sight... Myself will straight abroad, and to the state This heavy act with heavy heart relate.