Home : Othello : Study Guide

Othello Study Guide

by William Shakespeare

Othello study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Act I:

Othello begins in the city of Venice, at night; Roderigo is having a discussion with Iago, who is bitter as being passed up as Othello's lieutenant in favor of the Venetian gentleman Cassio. Iago says that he only serves Othello to further himself; he is playing false, and admits that his nature is not at all what it seems. Iago is aware that Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio, a Venetian nobleman of some stature, has run off with Othello, the black warrior of the Moors. Brabantio and many others know nothing of this coupling; Iago decides to enlist Roderigo, who lusts after Desdemona, and awaken Brabantio with screams that his daughter is gone.

Roderigo is the one speaking most to Brabantio, but Iago is there too, hidden, yelling…

Read the full Othello Summary

• Othello Summary
• About Othello
• Character List
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Act I
• Summary and Analysis of Act II
• Summary and Analysis of Act III
• Summary and Analysis of Act IV
• Summary and Analysis of Act V
• About Shakespearean Theater
• Related Links on Othello
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Othello: Major Themes
• Othello: Essays
• Othello: E-Text
• Othello: Questions
• Othello: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• William Shakespeare: Biography