Othello Summary Act 2: Othello, written by William Shakespeare, has three scenes.This is Othello detailed summary scene wise.
Othello Summary Act 2 Scene 1:
It is Cyprus, a seaport is in the scene. Montanio and some gentlemen are talking about the sea storm which destroyed the ships carrying Turkish troops. They are also discussing about the arrival or Cassio and the mission of Othello. Then Cassio enters the scene and tells that the ship of Othello was lost in the tempest. They must pray for the survival of brave Othello.
Then a ship sails carrying Iago and Desdemona. Now they patiently wait for Othello to arrive safely. Then we find Desdemona, Iago and Emilia conversing. Iago calls his wife talkative while Desdemona thinks she is not. Iago criticizes his wife and Desdemona asks him to describe Desdemona’s personality. We find good sense of humor portrayal of wit by them all. While they are talking, Iago sees that Cassio is very frank with Desdemona. He thinks of using this frankness later.
Suddenly, there is announcement that a ship is seen and that brings Othello. He meets Desdemona in an extremely emotional manner saying:
“It gives me wonder great as my content
To see you here before me. O my soul’s joy!
If after every tempest come such calms,
May the winds blow till they have waken’d death!”
Othello announces that Turk fleets are drowned of the tempest. He also announces celebration for that. Then he leaves along with Desemona.
Iago meets Roderigo and reveals his plan of telling Cassio that Desdemona loves him. According to Iago’s philosophy, the beautiful Desdemona will soon be fed up with the bestial influence of the Moor and will find some second choice. Cassio fits the chance well. Though Roderigo doesn’t think so of her character, yet Iago has his way.
Iago asks Roderigo to come at night while Cassio is on duty and provoke him for fight. The rest is to be left to Iago. The plan of Iago is to poison the ears of Othello about Desdemona:
“I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
That judgment cannot cure”.
Othello Summary Act 2 Scene 2:
It is about a herald for celebrating the victory brought upon them by the drowning of Turkish fleets.
Othello Summary Act 2 Scene 3:
Othello asks Cassio to keep the watch well. He also says that “Iago is most honest”. When Othello and Desdemona are gone, Iago and Cassio start conversing over her beauty and youth. Iago asks Cassio for a round of wine to which Cassio refuses saying that he cannot control when he is drunk. Well, this is what Iago wants. He almost forcibly gives him wine. They have also invited Montano for sharing the wine. When Cassio is away, Iago tells Montano that Cassio is a brave soldier but when drunk he is not reliable. He says Cassio sees dreams and reacts illogically. He may create such nuisance which may create disturbance for the whole of the island.
Cassio is doing his duty while Roderigo enters and provokes him a planned. Iago and Montano go to stop Cassio from beating Roderigo. The thing leads to the quarrel between Montano and Cassio while Roderigo disappears silently. Iago, finding the occasion as most apt, rings the alarms. Othello enters and inquires what the matter is. Upon hearing Montano, he sacks Cassio from his current duty of guard.
Cassio is very depressed while cunning Iago is still enjoying the act of befooling the brave soldier. Iago prepares his mind to get closer to Desdemona for regaining his lost position by her favours. He says to Cassio:
“Our general’s wife
is now the general”.
Therefore, Cassio must do his best to convince her and he commits: “I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me”.
On the other hand, Iago has been planning to use Cassio attempts in poisoning the ears of Othello. He says:
“As I do now: for whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear.”
He also plots:
“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.”
In the meantime, Roderigo enters and tells Iago that he is spent all his money. Iago asks him to wait and don’t return to Venice yet. Later, Iago thinks of using his wife for the planned episode of Cassio and Desdemona.
Othello Summary Act 1 , Othello Short Summary
Read More to Othello Summary Act 2
- Othello Study Notes
- Othello As a Tragedy
- Downfall of Othello
- Where Should Othello Go?
- Othello Short Summary
- Othello Character
- Character of Iago
- Character of Emilia
- Character of Desdemona