Initial Situation and Conflict

In Shakespeare's Othello, the titular character, a Moorish general, has secretly married Desdemona, daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio. This union sets off a chain of events that form the core of the play's conflict.

Highlight: Othello's marriage to Desdemona without her father's permission is a key catalyst for the ensuing drama.

Several characters are displeased with this development:

1. Roderigo, who wanted to marry Desdemona himself, is angered by her choice.
2. Iago, Othello's ensign, is resentful because he expected to become Othello's second-in-command but was passed over in favor of Michael Cassio.
3. Brabantio, Desdemona's father, accuses Othello of winning his daughter through witchcraft.

Quote: "Brabantio accuses Othello of winning Desdemona through witchcraft."

Despite these tensions, the Venetian state needs Othello's military expertise to fight the Turks in Cyprus, forcing Brabantio to accept the marriage reluctantly.

Vocabulary: Ensign - A junior rank of commissioned officer in the army.

Othello's trust in Iago as an honest advisor becomes a critical weakness. Iago's manipulative nature takes advantage of Othello's belief that people who appear honest are indeed trustworthy.

Definition: Manipulation - The act of controlling or influencing someone cleverly or unscrupulously.

Iago's primary goals are:

• To get Cassio fired
• To make Othello jealous and angry, potentially leading to dire consequences

To achieve these aims, Iago devises a plan:

1. He gets Cassio drunk and angry, leading to a fight where Cassio stabs someone and loses his position.
2. Iago then encourages Cassio to ask Desdemona for help in regaining his job, intending to use this interaction to fuel Othello's jealousy.

Example: Iago's manipulation of Cassio's drunken state demonstrates his cunning in creating situations that serve his malicious purposes.