Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

The duke and some of the senators enter, discussing the Turkish fleet they have spotted and its destination. It appears the Turks are heading to Cyprus. Othello, Brabantio, Iago, Roderigo, and others enter. The duke orders Othello to leave at once to fight the Ottomans. The duke then notices Brabantio, who recounts his accusations against Othello, namely that he used witchcraft to coerce Brabantio's daughter, Desdemona, into marriage. The duke asks to hear Othello's side of the story. They decide to hear Desdemona's version as well.

While messengers are sent to bring Desdemona to the duke, Othello tells how it was that he and Desdemona came to be together. Apparently, Brabantio invited Othello into his home and listened heartily to Othello's tales of his adventures. Desdemona also listened, whenever she could steal away from her household duties. Therefore, they spent many...