Othello

Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare based on the short story "Moor of

Venice" by Cinthio, believed to have been written in the year 1603. The work
revolves around four central characters: Othello, his wife Desdemona, his
lieutenant Cassio, and his trusted advisor Iago.

Genre: Tragedy

Setting: Othello takes place in Venice, the famous Italian city, and Cyprus, an island
in the Mediterranean Sea colonized by the Venetians. The play is set during the
early modern period, roughly Shakespeare's time.

Short Summary
William Shakespeare’s Othello takes place in 16th-century Venice and also Cyprus.
Othello who is a noble black warrior in the Venetian army that secretly married a
beautiful white woman called Desdemona who is the daughter of a prominent
senator named Brabantio. When he eventually finds out and is completely furious
he decides to disown Desdemona.

Iago has a secret jealousy and resentment towards Othello because a soldier
named Lieutenant Cassio has been put in front of him and also suspects that
Othello has been cheating with his wife. Waiting on revenge, Iago plans a devious
comeback to plant suspicions in Othello’s mind that Desdemona has been having
an affair with Cassio. He decided to start a street fight which Cassio is blamed for,
and is then dismissed from his post by Othello. Desdemona takes up Cassio’s case
with her husband, which only increases his suspicions that the pair are lovers.

While all of this is happening Iago manages to find a treasured handkerchief from
Desdemona that was given to her by Othello. He somehow gets the handkerchief
on Cassio so that Othello sees it and he finally concludes that the possession is
proof of the affair. Due to the jealousy, he orders Iago to murder Cassio. Then
Othello decides to strangle Desdemona. Immediately afterwards her innocence is
revealed, and Iago’s treachery exposed. In a fit of grief and remorse Othello kills
himself and Iago is taken into custody by the authorities.

Characters:
 Othello - A Christian Moor and general of the armies of Venice.
 Desdemona - The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio. Desdemona and Othello
are secretly married
 Iago - Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the
villain.
 Michael Cassio - Othello’s lieutenant, truly devoted to Othello
 Emilia - Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant
 Roderigo - A jealous suitor of Desdemona
 Bianca - A courtesan, or prostitute, in Cyprus
 Brabantio - Desdemona’s father
 Duke Of Venice - The official authority in Venice
 Montano - The governor of Cyprus before Othello
 Lodovico - One of Brabantio’s kinsmen and acts as a messenger from Venice to Cyprus
 Gratiano - Brabantio’s kinsman who accompanies Lodovico to Cyprus
 Clown - Othello’s servant

Plot:
 Exposition
The play takes place in Venice. The Moorish General, Othello secretly marries a
nobleman’s daughter Desdemona.
 Conflict
Othello and Desdemona marry and attempt to build a life together, despite their
differences in age, race, and experience. Their marriage is sabotaged by the envious
Iago, who convinces Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful.
 Rising Action
Othello is sent to defend the island of Cyprus from Turkish invaders. Iago tells his plan to
split up Desdemona and Othello. Part of the plan includes getting Cassio, a lieutenant
fired from his position.
 Climax
 Iago puts a handkerchief of Desdemona’s in Cassio’s room to make it appear that the
two have been together. Othello finally believes Iago and vows that he will not stop until
he has his revenge. Desdemona dies
 Falling Action
Othello smothers Desdemona with a pillow and Iago attempts to kill Cassio. However
Emilia, Iago’s wife exposes his plan.
 Denouement
Emilia figures out that Iago is responsible for the whole mess. When she shares this with
Othello and his men, Iago kills her. Othello, broken by grief and guilt, Othello kills
himself and Iago is taken away to be tortured.

Theme:
 Racism (Othello is black and Desdemona is white)
(The characters using openly racist language to describe Othello, calling him such names
as an old black ram, a Barbary horse, and referencing his thick lips)
 Jealousy (Iago is jealous of Cassio’s appointment as lieutenant over him)
(Iago also appears to be envious of Othello’s standing in Venetian society; despite his
race, he has been accepted in society)
 Love (love between various characters show what love means to them. For Iago, it gives
him an advantage to get what he wants)

Prepared by:
Mary Jane R Trinidad