| Othello: the Moor of Venice |
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Brabantio interrupts the meeting at the Doge's palace, claiming vengeance against Othello, who has just been put in command of the forces to repel the Turks. Othello explains how his stories of military prowess have helped to earn him Desdemona's love and she is called to reinforce the tale. Desdemona defends her love for Othello, and when her father disowns her she chooses to accompany Othello on his campaign. She will travel in the care of Lieutenant Cassio, newly promoted to the post that Iago sought, and with Iago's wife, Emilia, as a companion for the expedition. The scene moves to Cyprus where Montano and his soldiers greet Cassio, Iago, Desdemona and Emilia as they disembark. Soon Othello arrives with news that storms at sea have dispersed the Turkish fleet, and a night of celebration is proclaimed. In the soldiers' mess Iago makes Cassio drunk and Montano is wounded in an affray deliberately started by the jealous Roderigo, encouraged to do so by Iago who has persuaded him that Desdemona loves Cassio. Othello is angered by the fracas and blames Cassio, stripping him of his recently conferred officer status. Next day Desdemona innocently agrees to help Cassio to regain his post. Meanwhile Iago has sown seeds of jealousy in Othello’s mind, suggesting that Desdemona is overfond of Cassio. Not suspecting Iago of any duplicity Othello begins to watch his wife, and is angry when Desdemona accidentally loses the first gift he had given her, a handkerchief embroidered with strawberries. Emilia has found and taken the handkerchief on her husband‘s instructions and Iago has hidden it where Cassio will find it. When Desdemona urges her husband to reconsider Cassio’s position Othello mistrusts her intentions. Iago continues to enflame Othello's jealousy and encourages him to overhear and misinterpret, part of a conversation between Cassio and his mistress Bianca, who wants to know how Cassio obtained the embroidered handkerchief he has given her to copy. Othello’s agitation at what he hears brings on an epileptic fit and on recovery he orders Iago to kill Cassio. Roderigo has begun to suspect Iago is not quite the friend he seems, but is persuaded to attack Cassio that night and in the fight Iago kills Roderigo, though Cassio is only lightly wounded. Desdemona cannot understand Othello's change of attitude towards her, particularly after he strikes her in the presence of her relative Lodovico, who has arrived as an ambassador from Venice. As she prepares for bed Desdemona talks with Emilia, and sorrowfully sings to relieve her distress at her lost love. Othello comes to his sleeping wife's bedroom determined to kill her for her supposed adultery and he smothers her as she asserts her innocence. Emilia alerts the household, and in defence of her mistress betrays Iago‘s plots against Othello, for which Iago stabs and kills her. Iago is arrested and sent to trial but Othello, briefly left alone, uses a hidden weapon to commit suicide and the play ends with Cassio reinstated and placed in command as Governor of Cyprus.
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At night, Roderigo who has made suit to Venetian noblewoman, Desdemona, hears from his soldier friend the ensign Iago that Desdemona has secretly married his commanding officer, the Moor Othello, against whom Iago bears a grudge after being overlooked for promotion in favour of Michael Cassio. Iago urges Roderigo to continue his pursuit of Desdemona knowing that her father, the Senator Brabantio, will greatly dislike having Othello as a son-in-law. They wake Brabantio and on hearing their news he angrily summons the militia to arrest Othello. At this moment officers arrive summoning Brabantio to an urgent meeting of the Senate concerning the imminent threat to Cyprus by a Turkish invasion fleet, and full of fury Brabantio goes to the Council. 
