![]() Iago pretends to defend Cassio but Othello strips Cassio of his officership. The fight is stopped by Othello, who has left the bridal chamber. A tipsy and quarrelsome Cassio, having been incited by Rodorigo, becomes embroiled in a furious brawl during which he attacks Montano when he tries to stop him pursuing Rodorigo. The scheming Iago, mindful that Cassio is alcohol-intolerant, deliberately plies him with drink. Before Othello retires to his marriage bed with Desdemona, he leaves Cassio in charge of the guard. With the Turkish fleet destroyed in a storm, the Venetian forces in Cyprus can celebrate. Cassio carouses in Cyprus (Act 2 Scene 3) His bitter grievances include the suspicion that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. Once alone, Iago reveals that he will convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. A despairing Rodorigo, thinking he has lost Desdemona forever, is urged by Iago to obtain more money and follow them to Cyprus where he will have the opportunity to cuckold Othello. Othello tells ‘honest’ Iago to escort Desdemona, who pleads to be allowed to accompany her husband. The Duke orders Othello to go to Cyprus immediately to deal with the Turkish threat. When summoned by the Duke, Desdemona confirms this version of events and since she is married to Othello, her father is told to make the best of it. Othello explains how he wooed Desdemona unintentionally when he recounted his past life whilst a guest at Brabantio’s. ![]() Mistakenly, the Duke thinks Brabantio and Othello have arrived to discuss the military situation but instead Brabantio accuses Othello of abducting his daughter. In Venice, the Duke and his senators are concerned that the Turks have sent a fleet to invade the strategic island of Cyprus. Talk of love and war in Venice (Act 1 Scene 3) When the disbelieving Brabantio discovers that his daughter really has gone, he accepts Rodorigo’s offer to take him to where Othello and Desdemona are staying. In the middle of the night, Rodorigo and Iago wake Brabantio with the news that his daughter, Desdemona, has eloped with Othello. Iago tells Rodorigo that he hates Othello but will pretend to love him while plotting his downfall. Iago has been passed over for promotion by Othello, a Moorish military commander employed by the Venetian state, in favour of the inexperienced Cassio. In Venice, the gullible Rodorigo, an unsuccessful suitor to the senator’s daughter Desdemona, is persuaded by the wily Iago to help overthrow their common enemy, Othello.
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