Othello: Complete Summary of Act Two
Here’s a complete summary of the main events in Act Two 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 TWO
2.1. At the start of the second Act, Montano, the governor of Cyprus, comments on a passing storm that has destroyed the invading Turking fleet. Meanwhile, Cassio, Roderigo, Othello, Desdemona, Emilia and Iago arrive in Cyprus. Iago reveals more of his intentions to the audience, planning to use Cassio’s affection for Desdemona to turn Othello against him. He claims to Desdemona and Emilia, women “rise to play and go to bed to work”, showing his distaste for women. Iago feeds false news to Roderigo to begin to set his plot in motion.
2.2. The herald arrives to state that Othello plans to have a celebration to celebrate Cyprus’ safety from the Turks and his marriage.
2.3. Othello tells Cassio to guard the celebration while he leaves to consummate his marriage. Iago arrives and gets Cassio drunk, despite his protests. Then, Iago takes this opportunity to imply that Cassio is a drunkard to Montano. After this, with encouragement from Iago, Roderigo provokes a fight with Cassio whereby Cassio injures Mantona, who was attempting to stop the fight. Outraged and extremely disappointed in his lieutenant, Othello fires Cassio. Iago encourages Cassio to go to Desdemona for help. Othello and Desdemona are supposed to be consummating the marriage, but this is disrupted as Othello has to leave and break up the fight, as well as attend to Montano’s wounds.
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