SCENE 1: On the shores of Cyprus, Montano, the island’s governor, watches a storm with two gentlemen. As his ship travelled from Venice, Cassio witnessed that the Turks lost most of their fleet. It is still uncertain whether Othello’s ship has been able to survive the storm. The ship carrying Iago, Emilia, Desdemona, and Roderigo arrives. Desdemona disembarks, and no sooner does Cassio tell her that Othello has yet to arrive than a friendly shot announces the arrival of a third ship. While the company waits for the ship, Cassio and Desdemona tease Emilia about being a chatterbox, but Iago quickly takes the opportunity to criticise women in general. Cassio takes Desdemona away to speak with her privately about Othello’s arrival. Iago notices that Cassio takes Desdemona’s hand as he talks to her. Iago plots to use Cassio’s hand-holding to frame him so that he loses his newly gained promotion. Othello arrives safely and greets Desdemona, expressing his devotion to her. Roderigo tries to argue that Cassio was merely being polite by taking Desdemona’s hand, but Iago convinces him of Cassio’s ill intentions. Iago explains his actions to the audience in a soliloquy. He secretly lusts after Desdemona, partially because he suspects that Othello has slept with Emilia.