Othello: Complete Summary of Act One
Here’s a summary of the main events in Shakespeare’s Othello. When writing essays, be sure to think about the structure of the plot, and whether specific passages or events occur at the play's beginning, middle or end. Use this to make deeper points about the characters and themes in your analysis. Use the summary to get to grips with the key plot elements - the most significant scenes have been highlighted for you.
If you’re looking for a complete summary of Shakespeare’s play, check out the link below:
Act One
1.1. The play begins in Venice with Iago talking to Roderigo about his hatred for Othello. Both men stand outside Brabantio’s house and reveal to him that his daughter, Desdemona, has secretly married Othello, a Moor who is an outsider to Venice.
1.2. Iago leaves to explain to Othello that Brabantio has found out about his marriage to Desdemona. Othello reacts calmly, stating “Let him do his spite”. Brabantio and Roderigo arrive at the scene to arrest Othello, claiming he has bewitched Desdemona. As well as feeling personally affronted on behalf of Desdemona, the Venetian men fear him because he is not from a Christian background and they feel that by marrying a Venetian woman, he has directly threatened or corrupted the stable socio-political integrity of Venice itself.
1.3. After arriving at the Senate, Brabantio states to the Duke that Othello has bewitched Desdemona. Othello explains otherwise, claiming: “She loved me for the dangers I had passed/ And I loved her, that she did pity them”. Desdemona is called and confirms Othello’s statements, she then asks whether she can go to Cyprus with Othello. Brabantio warns Othello: “She has deceived her father and may thee”, foreshadowing Desdemona’s supposed ‘betrayal’ of Othello later in the play.
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Key quotations + analysis
Form, structure + language analysis
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