Figurative Language

Iago doesn't literally tells us what he plans to do but rather describes it.

IAGO:

And what's he then that says I play the villain,
When this advice is free I give, and honest,
Probal to thinking, and indeed the course
To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy
Th' inclining Desdemona to subdue
In any honest suit; she's framed as fruitful
As the free elements. And then for her
To win the Moor--were't to renounce his baptism,
All seals and symbols of redeemed sin--
His soul is so enfettered to her love,
That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
Even as her appetite shall play the god
With his weak function. How am I then a villain
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now. For whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear:
That she repeals him for her body's lust;
And by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all.

Act 2, Scene 3, lines 336-362)

Imagery

Iago uses animal imagery to describe Othello.

"Even now, now, very now, an old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe...you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins and gennets for germans"(1.1.90)

Or when Iago is talking to Othello about Cassio's and Desdemona's affair.

"It is impossible you should see this, / Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys, / As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross / As ignorance made drunk."(3.3.402-405)

Major Themes

The main theme throughout the play is jealousy and betrayal.

Central Conflicts

Internal:

Othello's jealousy is what allowed for Iago's plan to succeed.

External Conflict:

Iago is trying to get revenge on Othello because he gave the position he wanted to Cassio.

Setting

The play starts off in Venice but later moves to Cyprus because Othello was fearing an attack from the Turks that later failed.

Essential Plot Elements

Exposition

Iago had a conversation with Rodrigo about the position he thinks he deserves as Cassio and they go tell Barbantio that Desdemona has married Othello.

Rising Action

They all move to Cyprus and Iago begins to plan his revenge. He makes Othell believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio by using Desdemona's handkerchief as evidence. Othello decides to kill Desdemona.

Climax

Othello confronts Desdemona and then kills her..

Falling Action

Emilia reveals Iago's plans and is killed by him. Othello is realizing that Desdemona’s innocence and Othello tries to kill Iago. Othello commits suicide with a dagger not knowing Iago's reasons why he did it.

Denouenment

Othello, Desdemona, and Emilia are all dead and Iago's fate is left unknown.

Important Characters

Othello:

He is the main protagonist of the play. He is the army general and respected by those around him except Iago. He's called the "Moor" because of his dark skin. He is also married to Desdemona.

Desdemona:

Secretly married Othello. She is young and often referred as pure. She is the center of Iago's plan.

Iago:

The villian of the play. He plans to get revenge on Othello for not giving him the job he wanted. No one knows his real intentions because he is able to blend in with everyone.

Michael Cassio:

He is Othello's lieutanant. He very loyal and respectful towards Othello.

Emilia:

Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant.

Rodrigo:

He is in love with Desdemona. Gives money to Iago to help him win over Desdemona.