Othello

Roles

• Othello - Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50), Male

About this piece

Othello tells the Duke how he won Desdemona's heart

Summary

The story is set in Venice. The play starts with Roderigo, a rich and foolish gentleman, complaining to Iago, a high ranking soldier, about Desdemona's secret marriage to a Moorish general in the Venetian army, Othello. Desdemona is Roderigo's love interest and he has been paying Iago to help him seduce her. Iago tells him he hates Othello since he didn't give him a promotion that he thought he deserved and instead gave it to another man. Iago suggests to wake Desdemona's father, Brabanzio, and tell him about Othello's affair with his daughter. Brabanzio at first is skeptical but then believes them. He calls his men and goes out to get Othello. When he finds him, at first he accuses him of having stolen his daughter and "abused her delicate youth" and then orders his men to subdue him. He decides to solve the matter before the Duke of Venice. They all go to a council chamber where the Duke is having a military meeting regarding the recent Turkish invasion of the island of Cyprus. They interrupt the meeting and Brabanzio addresses the Duke regarding Othello's secret marriage to his daughter. He claims that Othello has used some sinister "magic" to seduce her and steal her from him. The Duke, who admires Othello as a great military leader, gives him a chance to explain the matter. In this monologue Othello explains how he wood Desdemona and won her heart. He claims Brabanzio ofter invited him to his house to hear stories from his interesting and adventurous life. Desdemona overheard his stories and eventually asked him to tell her himself. Impressed and moved by his stories, she fell in love with him.

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