Act 1: Scenes 1-3

Othello, a general who has just married the lovely Desdemona, finds himself in the midst of an argument on a Venice street. The argument, between Roderigo, a wealthy man, and Iago, who serves under Othello’s command, serving in battle.

Iago has found great hatred for Othello as he was shafted in promotion to lieutenant officer. This was a position Othello has appointed to Michael Cassio, a man with minimal knowledge of leading men in battle. With this recent hatred, Iago only pretends to serve Othello while in reality, he is selfishly awaiting to promote his own self-interest.

Roderigo has been paying Iago to work under his orders, helping him further his quest for Desdemona’s love; with no luck, however, he has watched her marry Othello, leaving even more hate towards the general. It is a personal battle for both Iago and Roderigo, but they lie under one common interest in their quests, the riding of Othello.

To make Othello unhappy, Iago urges Roderigo to give Othello a bad name within Desdemona’s family. The two them part and find her father, Brabanzio, the Venetian senator. By crying out that Roderigo has been robbed by “thieves”, they capture the mans attention. With provocative wording, Iago tells Brabanzio that Othello and his daughter are “making the beast with two backs” (I.i.118), meaning they are having sex. Parting with his men and Rodrigo, Brabanzio furiously goes in search of Othello , believing all that he has heard. Iago parts as well to keep his cover and goes to see Othello separately.

Now with Othello, Iago warns him of the furry coming his way. Spotting a group that was thought to be Brabanzio, it turns out to be only Cassio and some officers from the Venetian court; they have brought Othello a message stating that Othello is being called upon by the Duke of Venice on a military matter. As Brabanzio arrives, interrupting Cassio’s announcement to Othello, the brawl finally begins. However, it is quickly stopped when Brabanzio hears that Othello is wanted by the duke; Brabanzio  decides he will tell the duke himself of Othello’s wrong-doings.

A meeting on the subject of Turkish invasion on Venice is interrupted by Brabanzio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo, and officers. Brabanzio, stating that his daughter has been taken from him by spells and magic, holds the side of the duke momentarily before revealing that it is the good man Othello being accused. Being given the fair chance to speak, Othello admits to marrying Desdemona but pleads guilty on the case of using magic to attract her. He tells the story of how she really fell in love with him.

   Desdemona  arrives and dismisses the foolish tails of her fathers imagination. She does love Othello and has told the duke that her primary loyalty now lies in her husband. With this statement, Brabaznio allows the court to resign and accepts his daughters decisions.

    The duke now moves on to the subject of the invasions and instructs Othello to go to Cyprus to defend from the Turks. Othello, prepared to go, asks for accommodations for his wife but in the end, the decision is clear that she will part with him on his voyage.

Roderigo’s chances at winning Desdemona have been slashed once more. He suggests drowning himself, a statement that Iago mocks him for. Iago suggests Roderigo follow them to Cyprus which he decides he will do and parts.

With Iago alone, he commences a grand scheme of plotting to rob Roderigo of his money and Othello of his good-will.