OTHELLO PLOT SUMMARY Act 2
2, 1: Landing stage in a Cyprus port. Cassio, Iago + Desdemona + Emilia, Othello arrive in 3 separate ships after long sea crossing in middle of violent storm (metaphor for trouble and disorder). Cassio welcomes Desdemona as semi-divine (highly poetic register). Desdemona, worried for Othello’s safety, talks to Iago who makes sexual jokes (veiled insults) about women. His aside (lines 164-173) shows his view of Cassio’s courtesy to Desdemona. Othello arrives, greets Desdemona, suggesting he’s happier now than he will ever be (dramatic irony). Turks now drowned and war over. Iago persuades Roderigo that Desdemona will soon be bored with Othello, that she and Cassio are lovers and that he should provoke Cassio to violence, bringing Cassio’s demotion. Iago’s second soliloquy (lines 277-303) tells us he suspects both Othello and Cassio of adultery with Emilia and describes plot to discredit Cassio and send Othello mad.
In this scene, look at Iago’s lexis and imagery describing sexual activity (lines 215-241). Look also at his soliloquy, which describes his plot and introduces the idea of jealousy.
2, 2: Very short. Othello orders celebration of peace and marriage: 11pm curfew.
2, 3: Unspecified Cyprus place. Othello puts Cassio in charge for evening. Cassio admits to Iago he cannot tolerate alcohol. Iago’s third soliloquy (lines 44-59) spells trouble. Iago gets Cassio drunk, sets up Roderigo to attack him and privately tells Montano that Cassio is alcoholic. Montano advises him to tell Othello. Iago pretends to want to cure Cassio. Cassio attacks Roderigo and Montano. Othello arrives, asks what’s happened, gets no reply and angrily asks Iago for explanation. Iago pretends to defend Cassio, but actually blames him entirely. Othello demotes Cassio. Cassio, feeling unworthy, turns to Iago for advice. Iago tries to persuade him reputation is unimportant and advises him to ask Desdemona’s help. Iago’s fourth soliloquy (lines 326-352) describes how he will poison Othello against Cassio and Desdemona to destroy everyone. His short fifth soliloquy (lines 371-377) tells us he’s going to involve Emilia.
In this scene, look carefully at Iago’s persuasive techniques in blaming Cassio (lines 214-240).
Look at his advice to Cassio on ‘reputation’ (lines 259-269) and compare it to the advice to Roderigo on ‘virtue’ in Act 1 scene 3 (lines 316-329).
Look also at the lexis and imagery in his 4th soliloquy – a mixture of religious, sexual and satanic semantic fields – as well as structuring the rest of the plot.
Key speeches from Act 2
· 2, 1: 215-241 + 249-261 (prose): Iago persuades Roderigo that Cassio is Desdemona’s lover
· 2, 1: 277-303 (verse): Iago’s 2nd soliloquy – suspects Othello and Cassio
· 2, 3: 163-243 (verse): long interactions between Iago, Othello, Cassio and Montano - Iago explains the fight
· 2, 3: 255-324 (prose): interactions between Iago and Cassio – Cassio fears he is unworthy + Iago advises him to plead with Desdemona
· 2, 3: 326-352 (verse): Iago’s 4th soliloquy – plot to destroy Desdemona
· 2, 3: 359-end of scene (verse): (includes Iago’s 5th soliloquy) Iago senses victory + describes how he’ll manipulate Emilia
Key extracts
· 2, 1 249-end of scene: Iago constructs the plot
· 2, 3 198-243: Iago’s deceitful nature
· 2, 3 304-352: Iago’s deceitful nature
