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The inciting incident is supposed to be an event that occurs within a story that will hook viewers or readers into a story. It sets a story into motion and is supposed to introduce the main protagonist into the story.

What is the inciting incident in Othello?

Within the play Othello, the elopement of Desdemona and Othello prior to the play’s introduction is a part of the inciting incident. While this is part of the inciting incident it only serves to kick off the conflicts that follow within the play. Iago telling Brabantio of Othello's elopement with Desdemona kicks off an inciting incident. After that the duke asks Othello to go to war as well.

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In the play Othello, viewers see how Iago's simple plan for revenge plays out against Othello. Othello starts off as a strong general who cannot be shaken by any obstacle. His character is changed by the climax of the play and Iago succeeds in turning a once honorable general into a mad beast fueled by revenge. Iago knows how to speak to people in convincing ways and knows their strengths and weaknesses. In Othello's case, his weakness was his gullibility. By having complete trust in Iago and believing the lies he told lead Othello on a path to destroy his own life. In a sick sense, Othello is the one who destroyed his own life as a result of being so gullible.

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Within Othello, viewers can see the perfect villain Iago serve his purpose and cause the plays many conflicts. Iago knows how to manipulate people to get what he wants. He is very persuasive and comes off as trustworthy even though it is just a front to cover up his true intentions. He can get what he wants from the people around him by pretending to be someone in their aid when in reality the only person he is aiding is himself. Iago's character is essentially a walking contradiction as he covers up who he truly is. That being a villain who is hellbent on destroying Othello's life because of things Othello has done to him.

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Jealousy is a term that can be used to describe a feeling related to being possessive of a friend or loved one.

Where is jealousy found in Othello?

Within Othello, viewers witness the destruction of Othello's character through the lies of Iago. Part of Othello's downfall is contributed by the immense amounts of jealousy he and other characters like Iago possess throughout the play. Jealousy is something that carries the play to its end. Without Othello's jealousy of Cassio for having an affair with Desdemona, he would not have killed her. This proves how important it was for Iago to instill that jealousy into Othello.

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Quote: “O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter?

Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her! For I’ll refer me to all things of sense, If she in chains of magic were not bound, Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy,

So opposite to marriage that she shunned The wealthy curlèd darlings of our nation,

Would ever have, t' incur a general mock, Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom

Of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight.” (Othello 1. 2. 64-73)

Context: Brabantio has now heard of Othello's elopement with Desdemona and has confronted him with Roderigo and his other men. Iago has left and gone back to Othello to tell him that Brabantio is mad that he is together with Desdemona. Iago also does this to not make Othello think he is against him.

Analysis: The inciting incident is now occurring as Othello has been introduced and Brabantio voices his disdain for Othello being with Desdemona. Othello tells Brabantio how Desdemona feels the same way he does about her. When they resolve the conflict Brabantio's charges are withdrawn. Although the inciting incident has introduced the main character of the play there is still the threat of the Turks invading which adds to the inciting incident. Even if this is the case the conflict that Brabantio brings is what throws the play into action.

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The rising action is a section in the plot that leads up to the climax in a story. The tension that stems from the stories central conflict is developed upon through plot developments.

What is the rising action in Othello?

Within Othello, the rising action takes place in act two and a bit of act three. Iago tells the audience his plan to ruin Othello. He plans to make Cassio lose his position as lieutenant by using Roderigo as a pawn. He then plans to insinuate to Othello that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him with Cassio.

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Quote: “I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,

Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee But never more be officer of mine.” (Othello 2. 3. 209-212)

Context: Iago pretends to be a good friend to Cassio after the drunken brawl occurs and disturbs Othello. Since Othello puts a lot of trust in Iago he tells him to stop sticking up for Cassio. With a heavy heart Othello then promptly fires Cassio.

Analysis: Since Iago plays it smart and pretends to defend Cassio, Othello thinks that Iago is just being a good guy. This is not the case and when Othello fires Cassio for starting the brawl he gives Iago exactly what he wants. Cassio losing his position feeds into the rising action because now Iago's plan has physically been set in motion. The conflict starts when Cassio starts a brawl in a drunken haze. He is then fired as a result of these actions which feeds into Iago's plan. Simply put, if Iago's plan goes forward then so does the plot's rising action.

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The climax is an important part of the plot where all the rising action leads up to. It is the turning point in a story with the most intense action or plot developments.

What is the climax in Othello?

Within Othello, the climax occurs when Iago finally tells Othello about Desdemona having an affair with Cassio. When Iago tells Othello about why he believes this is the case Othello changes how he acts. Instead of being  a strong level headed individual his character has now turned into a beast who wants revenge. This is all thanks to Iago who wanted Othello to suffer like this.

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Quote: Never, Iago. My thoughts of revenge are flowing through me like a violent river, never turning back to love, only flowing toward full revenge that’ll swallow them up. I swear to God I’ll get revenge.” (Othello 3. 3 452-460)

Context: Othello tells Iago that after hearing everything he has just said that his heart is filled with revenge and hatred. He no longer feels in love with Desdemona. He trusts Iago so much that now he swears revenge on Cassio and Desdemona.

Analysis: Iago has achieved part of his goal. He ruined Othello's love for Desdemona. This is the main part of the climax since viewers finally witness the destruction of the once noble Othello. His character changes and as he vows revenge we get our climax.

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What is the falling action and resolution?

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What is the falling action and resolution?

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The falling action occurs right after the climax of a story. It is there to help tie up a stories loose ends and lead to the end of the story. The resolution is what happens as the falling action completes. It is resolution of all issues that occurred within the story.

What is the falling action and resolution in Othello?

Within Othello, the falling action follows the rest of Iago's plan to ruin Othello's life. He plants a handkerchief in Cassio's room as physical proof of Desdemona being unfaithful to Othello. When Iago arranges for Othello to hear and see proof Iago makes Cassio talk about Bianca. She is a prostitute he knows. Othello takes this as Cassio talking about Desdemona and meets with Iago to plan both Cassio and Desdemona's murder's in his blind suit of revenge. After Desdemona is killed But Cassio survives his wounds Iago is exposed for tricking Othello. The play ends with Iago being captured and Cassio becoming governer of Cyprus. Othello makes a speech and kills himself to atone for his sin.

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Quote: “I grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I have greater reason to believe now than ever—I mean purpose, courage and valor—this night show it. If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my life.” (Othello 4. 2. 195-203)

Context: Iago understands how to manipulate Roderigo. He promises him that he will help him if he can kill Cassio. This is because if he does that then Desdemona will be left for him to woo.

Analysis: It is evident that Iago does not really care to help Roderigo and is only egging him on so that he can fulfill his own desires. This will lead to Roderigo's death at the hands of Iago which plays into the falling action. This is because Roderigo's death leads Iago to stab Cassio. This then leads to Othello getting the courage to kill Desdemona which then leads to the end of the play where Iago is exposed as the true villain.

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Quote: “O Spartan dog, More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea, Look on the tragic loading of this bed. This is thy work. The object poisons sight, Let it be hid.—Gratiano, keep the house And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor, or they succeed on you.—To you, lord governor, Remains the censure of this hellish villain: The time, the place, the torture. Oh, enforce it! Myself will straight aboard, and to the state This heavy act with heavy heart relate.” (Othello 5. 2. 381-390)

Context: Lodovico tells Iago how evil he truly is. He also tells Gratiano about what is to become of Othello's fortune and who needs to fill in his roles now that he's dead.

Analysis: Lodovico and everyone who survives Iago's onslaught now knows how truly evil Iago is. Now that the villain of the play has been captured and Othello has committed suicide the play can end. Since the play is a tragedy it would make sense that Othello dies for what he has done as in his eyes it was only right. With nothing left to lose Iago gives in to being captured since his plan to ruin Othello's life has already succeeded. Since that is the case the play must end since Iago's role has been completed and so has Othello's role.

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Quote: “Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago, All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. 'Tis gone. Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell! Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,For ’tis of aspics' tongues!” (Othello 3. 3 454-460)

Context: After Iago tells his proof of the affair occurring to Othello it gets Othello enraged at the thought that his wife is being unfaithful to him.

Analysis: Othello hears of Iago's verbal proof that an affair is occurring between Cassio and Desdemona and believes it without a second thought. Othello's gullibility has made him not question Iago's verbal proof. Even though Othello has not seen any physical proof of an affair, his immense trust in Iago and gullibility lead him to become a mad man who is hellbent on getting revenge. If it were not for Othello's gullibility he would have not trusted Iago's verbal proof so quickly and the play's events would have changed drastically.

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Quote:  “Come, swear it, damn thyself. Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves Should fear to seize thee. Therefore be double damned, Swear thou art honest!” (Othello 4. 2. 35-40)

Context: Othello is speaking to his wife Desdemona who he believes is being unfaithful to him. He does not hide the fact that he thinks she is cheating on him. He tells her that she should damn herself to hell by continuing to lie about their relationship. Even though she is not he still believes she is being unfaithful based on what Iago has said to him.

Analysis: Othello has now seen physical proof that was manipulated to seem like Cassio was having an affair with Desdemona by Iago. Iago has construed a complex way of showing proof by planting Othello's handkerchief in Cassio's room and getting him to talk about Bianca to him. Othello is already so far gone because of how gullible he is that he takes this proof as absolute proof of Desdemona being unfaithful to him. He already believed in the lie Iago told because of his gullibility so when he saw more proof from Iago he completely trusted in Iago's judgement. Now that he has seen the proof he has the resolve to commit murder and this is why Othello's gullibility continues to lead directly to his downfall.

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Quote: “Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely but too well.” (Othello 5. 2. 360)

Context: Before Othello commits suicide to atone for what he has done to Desdemona, he tells everyone in the room that he wants to be known as a man who loved Desdemona too much and not someone who loved her wisely. He's essentially saying he blames himself for everything that happened.

Analysis: Othello realizes how his gullibility has played into his downfall and how he played right into Iago's hands. If he had not loved Desdemona so blindly he would not have been so gullible to believe the terrible lies Iago had told him about Desdemona and Cassio. Since he was not wise about loving her he realizes that his gullibility and easy trust in others got the better of him and has led him to ruin his own life.

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Quote: "That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric,"(Othello 1. 1. 23-26)

Context: Iago is talking to Roderigo about how jealous he is of Othello giving the position of lieutenant to Cassio instead of him. He believes he should have gotten it since he has more experience than Cassio.

Analysis: Iago proves that he is jealous of Cassio because he mocks him. He says that Cassio has no experience unless you count what he has read in books. He believes that he should have been the one to get the position of lieutenant. With his jealousy, he decides to use it as fuel to burn the fire of revenge inside him and destroy Othello's life.

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Quote: “Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor At least into a jealousy so strong

That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do” (Othello 2. 1. 225-228)

Context: Iago is plotting how he will ruin Othello's life. He admits that his plan may not work out. He still hopes if that is the case that he makes Othello become so incredibly jealous that it will lead him to his downfall.

Analysis: Iago knows how terrible jealousy can be. He understands that since Othello is gullible, that if he tells him about Desdemona having an affair he will believe him. Not only that, but he'll also become enraged with jealousy which, in turn, will make him destroy his own life. This is exactly what Iago wants so if he cannot completely ruin Othello he knows that by making Othello incredibly jealous that the jealousy will ruin Othello for him.

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Quote: “The Moor already changes with my poison; Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons, Which at the first are scarce found to distaste, But with a little act upon the blood Burn like the mines of Sulphur. I did say so. Look, where he comes. Not poppy, nor mandragora Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep Which thou owedst yesterday.” (Othello 3. 3. 335-343)

Context: Iago is speaking in a soliloquy and he is talking about how dangerous his idea is. He knows that his lie has already plagued Othello's mind with jealousy so now he just needs to give Othello more proof before Othello goes mad.

Analysis: Othello's jealousy is something that Iago understands will be his downfall. He has planted a twisted idea in Othello's head and using Othello's jealousy he plans to ruin him. Othello's jealousy will prevail throughout the play and be a direct cause for the conflicts to come.

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Quote: “Othello shall go mad. And his unbookish jealousy must construe Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behavior Quite in the wrong” (Othello 4. 1. 90-93)

Context: When Othello asks for proof of Cassio having an affair with Othello, he knows that even if he gets Cassio talking about Bianca that Othello will take it the wrong way.

Analysis: Iago understands that Othello is blinded by his jealousy. He has planted the lie of Desdemona having an affair into Othello's head. Using this, he knows that Othello will not question the verbal proof from Cassio and accept it without a second thought. Othello's jealousy has blinded him and so he instantly believes Cassio's words as him describing Desdemona even though it is not. If it were not for his immense jealousy then he would have thought through what Cassio was saying a little more.

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Quote: “Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely, but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought,

Perplexed in the extreme;” (Othello 5. 2. 357-363)

Context: Othello proposes to be remembered as someone who was not easily jealous but as someone who was tricked into a jealous rage to do terrible things.

Analysis: Realizing how dangerous jealousy is Othello knows now how it controlled him and made him do terrible things. If it were not for his jealousy then he would not have taken Iago's words with so much anger. Without that anger, he would have never thought to kill his own wife and lieutenant (Cassio). Othello's realization of how dangerous jealousy shows how he has now reflected on what he has done and regrets it severely.

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Quote: Thus do I ever make my fool my purse. For I mine own gained knowledge should profane If I would time expend with such a snipe But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets He’s done my office. I know not if ’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety. He holds me well. The better shall my purpose work on him. (Othello1. 3. 320-328)

Context: Iago knows how to manipulate everyone around him. He comes off as a great guy but in reality, he is a selfish person who only affiliates with those who can help him.

Analysis: Iago is a perfect villain because he is a walking contradiction. This is because people like Roderigo trust Iago to help him get with Desdemona. Iago admits he'd never speak with Roderigo if he was not getting financial support from him. He does not care about what happens to Roderigo, as long as he's able to carry out his plans to ruin Othello's life. He hates Othello and knows how to speak with elegance to manipulate those around him into helping him with his schemes. They don't even realize they are doing something wrong. This is what makes Iago a perfect villain.

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Quote: “Now, whether he kill Cassio Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, Every way makes my gain.” (Othello 5. 1. 11-14)

Context: Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio so that Roderigo can get together with Desdemona. He concludes that no matter what happens that he'll be well off.

Analysis: Iago proves he is the perfect villain because he can think ahead and decide if there is any danger with the plan he is executing. He is a villain in the sense that the death of Cassio and even Roderigo do not bother him so long as he gets what he wants. He is smart with how he executes his plans. By using Roderigo to tie his two plots together he can protect himself from getting any blame for hurting Cassio, which in of itself is what a good villain would do.

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Quote: “Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak word.” (Othello 5. 2. 315-317)

Context: When Iago is asked to explain how he feels about being the harbinger of Othello's doom he simply states that they should ask nothing of him. After this, he states that no matter what he'll never speak again.

Analysis: Iago being the perfect villain he has already succeeded with bringing ruin to Othello. Those who got in his way, like Roderigo and Emilia were just collateral damage to him. Roderigo was a pawn who served his purpose and Emilia was killed for exposing Iago of his plot. While Iago has been captured his plan has already been completed thoroughly so since there is nothing left for him to do or say he states that he will stop speaking. By holding back the information from everyone he still continues to succeed in making people suffer since they will never hear how he planned and committed these terrible acts throughout the play.

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The perfect antagonist working his magic:

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The perfect antagonist working his magic:

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Witness Iago developing his scheme and manipulate those around him to his cause.

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Othello's realization that he has been gullible:

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Othello's realization that he has been gullible:

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Witness Othello's realization of how his gullibility has truly gotten the better of him and led to his downfall.