Synopsis

Act I

Othello, a Moor and general in the service of the Venetian state, has, to the shock of all Venice, taken in marriage Desdemona, a young woman of noble birth, daughter of the duke of Venice. Iago, a senior ensign under Othello’s command, resents serving under the foreign general but feigns great loyalty, seeing it as a path to his own power and advancement, especially now that Othello has married into Venetian nobility. Convenient to his ambitions, his wife, Emilia, is handmaid and confidant to young Desdemona.

Iago is stunned to discover that Othello favors a young ensign, Cassio, whom he has promoted above Iago, by Othello, to the rank of lieutenant, a position Iago had coveted and expected. He regards this as a betrayal by Othello.

Scene 1
A cathedral in Venice

The Moor offers a prayer to Islam before marrying in the Catholic Church in deference to Desdemona. The unlikely marriage is the subject of intense gossip as Venetian society gathers to bear witness to this controversial union.

Scene 2
A great hall in the Palace of the Doges

Cassio has prepared an elaborate entertainment for the couple that climaxes when Othello, in adoration, presents a delicate handkerchief to his beloved Desdemona. Legend has it that the handkerchief was woven from the silk wrappings of the mummified hearts of virgins and was passed down through generations of Egyptian queens, and finally of the hands of Othello’s mother and now to Othello for his bride. It is said this handkerchief possess magic ensuring fidelity for its possessor. Iago silently watches.

Scene 3
Alone in the great hall

Iago, no longer able to contain his fury, gives full vent to his litany of resentments. Emilia, terrified of his violent display, attempts to subdue him but inadvertently becomes the object of his contempt.

Act II: The Tarantella*

A seaport in Cyprus

On this stormy night, the port is filled with women anxiously awaiting the return of their men. Othello, now commander of the island fortress of Cyprus, has successfully led them in battle at sea against enemies of the Venetian state. At Othello’s request, Cassio has remained in Cyprus as guardian to Desdemona and the fortress. In celebration of the ship’s safe return, a local woman, Bianca, begins a tarantella. In the midst of the frenzied dancing Desdemona loses her handkerchief, which is then found by Emilia. Iago forces Emilia to surrender it to him. With this precious cloth in his possession he conceives a plot to undermine Othello and destroy Cassio by creating the appearance of an illicit affair between Cassio and Desdemona.

* The Tarantella (named for the tarantula spider, whose venomous bite causes delirium) swept medieval Europe and was believed by the church to be satanic. It was subsequently outlawed by the authorities for purportedly causing insanity.

Act III

Scene 1
Othello’s chambers

Cassio, confused and in chains, pleads with Othello for an explanation. Iago comes between them. Desdemona innocently attempts to intervene on Cassio’s behalf, which is taken by Othello, at Iago’s prompting, as further evidence of her infidelity.

In a rage, Othello orders Cassio to be taken by the guards and executed. Desdemona escapes in terror.

Iago, now triumphant, contrives an insidious fiction for Othello describing the lurid details of Desdemona and Cassio’s affair.

 Scene 2
Desdemona’s bedroom

Emilia begs Desdemona for forgiveness and offers her crucifix so that they may pray together. Othello interrupts their prayer and forces Emilia to leave. Alone with Desdemona, he seeks a final reckoning.