Othello
Synopsis of the TNT stage version
In a dark street in Venice, Iago, a military officer, complains to his companion Roderigo that Othello, a general of Moorish (black African) origin, has overlooked Iago and chosen the unwarlike Cassio as his lieutenant. Iago is furious. To stir up trouble for Othello, Iago and Roderigo call on the wealthy Brabantio to tell him that his daughter Desdemona has been sleeping with Othello.
Iago finds Othello and blames Roderigo for angering Brabantio. Cassio enters: the Duke of Venice has called for Othello. But Roderigo leads in Brabantio’s party, swords are drawn. Brabantio declares that Othello shall answer to the Duke.
Before the Duke, Brabantio denounces Othello and claims Othello used magic on Desdemona. Othello rebuffs these claims with dignity, explaining that he and Desdemona have married. Desdemona enters and it is clear she has married for love. The Duke reveals that an enemy Turkish fleet is approaching Cyprus and Othello is to sail out against it. Desdemona asks to accompany the fleet. Iago is entrusted with Desdemona’s safety.
Iago, claiming (without evidence) that Othello has slept with Emilia (Iago’s wife), plots to convince Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona.
At Cyprus, a storm sinks the Turkish navy. Iago persuades Roderigo to start a swordfight with Cassio. Iago gets Cassio drunk. Cassio has fights with both Roderigo and Montano, Governor of Cypress. Cassio is disgraced and Othello removes him from his position. Cassio is devastated by loss of reputation. Iago convinces Cassio to meet Desdemona to ask her to use her influence on Othello.
Iago convinces Othello that Cassio and Desdemona’s meeting is suspicious. He uses a dropped handkerchief to convince Othello that Desdemona has given this gift (from Othello) as a token of love to Cassio.
Othello is consumed by jealousy as Iago cleverly encourages him, while appearing reluctant to speak against Cassio. Iago arranges for Othello to eavesdrop on Cassio speaking amorously about his mistress, Bianca, while Othello thinks he speaks of Desdemona. Bianca unwittingly confirms Othello’s suspicions when she appears and throws the dropped handkerchief at Cassio, accusing him of getting it from another woman. Iago persuades Othello to strangle Desdemona in bed that night. Iago promises to kill Cassio.
Ludovico, a Venetian nobleman, arrives with order for Othello to return while Cassio assumes command in Cyprus. Desdemona tries to soothe the angry Othello, but he hits her.
Iago convinces Roderigo that by killing Cassio he will have Desdemona to himself, but in fact Iago intends to kill them both. Roderigo ambushes Cassio and both are badly wounded. Iago kills Roderigo. When Bianca appears, Iago accuses her of plotting with Roderigo and she is taken away.
Othello enters Desdemona's chamber. Despite her pleas, Othello suffocates her with a pillow. When Emilia enters and asks Othello why he killed his wife, he says Iago told him she had slept with Cassio. Emilia knows that Iago has lied and when he appears she accuses him. When Othello describes how the handkerchief convinced him, Emilia realises that she gave it to Iago. Iago attempts to kill Emilia, but is held back. Othello attacks Iago, but Iago escapes, kills Emilia and runs off. Iago is recaptured, and Othello wounds him. Iago's plotting is entirely exposed by letters discovered on Roderigo’s corpse. The wounded Cassio is brought in. A shattered Othello kills himself and dies beside Desdemona. Iago is handed over to Cassio for torture.
Paul Stebbings TNT theatre
