Otello

Act One
The people, among them Desdemona, await with tension, fear and anticipation the return of Otello, who, as commander-in-chief of the Venetian fleet, had to fight a great naval battle. However, not everyone is relieved about his safe landing; Roderigo and Jago would rather see him shipwrecked. But Otello is victorious, although he seems marked by his experiences.

Jago, who feels he has been passed over by Otello for a military promotion in favour of Cassio, incites Roderigo, the once-rejected admirer of Desdemona, to take revenge; above all, he tells him to keep an eye on his alleged rival Cassio. With the suggestion, that on Otello and Desdemona’s wedding night everyone should drink to the bride’s beauty, Jago tempts Cassio to drink. All too soon no longer in control of his senses, Cassio reacts violently to Roderigo’s provocations and injures Montano, a former governor. Only Otello himself can put an end to the quarrel, demotes Cassio and — enraged because Desdemona, too has been startled by the tumult — orders everyone to return to their homes. Desdemona and Otello are alone again for the first time since their wedding. The memory of the beginning of their shared love brings back the desire for togetherness. Desdemona believes that love can heal all of Otello’s battle wounds.

Act Two
Jago advises Cassio to turn to Desdemona in order to regain his favour with Otello. In the new realization for him of how easily people can fall for his intrigues and how he can shape his own environment, Jago formulates a diabolical confession: his credo, his profession of faith to the embodiment of evil. Otello imagines that he has seen Cassio with Desdemona; with suggestive questions, Jago sows doubt in Otello’s mind about his previous friend — culminating in the poisonous advice to beware of jealousy. In a procession of sorts, the people worship Desdemona like a saint. But when she begs her husband for mercy for Cassio, Otello immediately senses betrayal. He gruffly rebuffs Desdemona and throws her handkerchief to the ground, which he had given her as a wedding gift, being the only and enchanted inheritance from his ancestors. Jago’s wife Emilia picks it up and reluctantly gives it to her husband, who senses an opportunity to use it as evidence to back up his intrigue. Otello demands proof of Desdemona’s infidelity from Jago. The latter reports how Cassio has spoken of Desdemona in his sleep; he also claims to have seen her handkerchief on him. Otello believes his suspicions confirmed. Jago is even able to persuade him to swear revenge.