The climax of William Shakespeare’s Othello is reached in Act III Scene iii, when Iago tells Othello that he has seen Cassio “wipe his beard” with Desdemona’s handkerchief. This is the turning point in the conflict, when Othello’s love turns to hate and Desdemona’s fate is sealed. Iago continues to add more “evidence” to convince Othello of Desdemona’s guilt, and Othello resolves that both Cassio and Desdemona should die that night. The events that follow the murder of Desdemona constitute the denouement, or conclusion.