The story in one page
Othello, a commander in the Venetian military, elopes with Desdemona, the daughter of a prominent senator. Before they can settle into domestic life, they are dispatched to Cyprus to defend against a Turkish invasion. Iago, an ancient passed over for promotion, resents Othello and begins a calculated project to erode the general’s trust in his wife. By planting rumors and manipulating stolen tokens, Iago convinces Othello of Desdemona’s affair with his lieutenant, Cassio. In a fit of jealous fury, Othello smothers Desdemona in their bedchamber. Discovering the plot too late, he dies by his own hand beside her.
Who's who
- Othello
A noble Moorish general leading the Venetian military force.
- Iago
A spiteful subordinate engineer of his superior's professional and personal collapse.
- Desdemona
A senator's daughter who chooses marriage over her father's social demands.
- Cassio
A young officer caught in the crossfire of a promotion dispute.
What it's really about
- Professional Resentment
- Iago’s primary motivator for his campaign of destruction.
- The Cost of Certainty
- Othello demands absolute proof before committing a final atrocity.
Why it's memorable
- A dropped handkerchief used as a lethal prop.
- A general comparing his wife’s tears to a crocodile.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Othello kills himself while lying over the body of his wife. Iago is seized to face torture for his orchestration of the events.
For your book club
- Is Iago's cruelty driven by a motive or pure instinct?
- The play turns on a small piece of lace.