Othello

Roles

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

About this piece

Iago professes his hatred for Othello and his malicious plans

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 but the Duke dismisses Brabanzio's plea, since he considers Desdemona's love for him genuine and admires Othello as a valiant military man. At the end of the scene Roderigo despairs because he thinks he doesn't have a chance with Desdemona anymore. Iago promises that everything will work out for him in the end. When Roderigo exits the scene, Iago gives this soliloquy. He tells the audience how much he hates Othello. He thinks he slept with his wife. Even if he is not sure he will consider the rumor as a fact. Since Othello thinks well of him, he argues his plan will work out more easily. He will convince him that Cassio has slept with his wife and get him out of the way.

Tone

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