| Synopsis: |
In Venice, Othello, a Moor who serves the Duke of Venice, has secretly married Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio, a Venetian senator. Roderigo lusts after Desdemona, and he is unhappy at this turn of events. Iago is also unhappy, as Othello has promoted Cassio, a man whom Iago considers nothing more than a scholar, above him. Iago, being extremely conniving and crafty, starts to manipulate Othello, Roderigo, Brabantio, and everyone around him in order to get revenge on Othello for this slight. Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia, Iago’s wife, go to Cyprus in order to deal with a Turkish army. There, Iago manipulates events to make it seem as though Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, and he informs Othello of these supposed facts. Othello, in a rage, decides to kill his wife, and Iago asks Othello if he could kill Cassio. Othello smothers Desdemona in her bed that night, but Emilia finds him and calls for help. Othello presents proof of the adultery, and Emilia realizes that Iago has tricked them all. Othello, in anger, attacks Iago but chooses not to kill him. He commits suicide, and Iago is taken off to be tortured and possibly executed. |