Othello

Othello, tragedy written by William Shakespeare c. 1602-1604 that was first performed for James I at Whitehall in 1604. The work depicts the growth of unjustified jealousy on the part of the protagonist.

Othello, a Moor, is accused of stealing Brabantio's daughter Desdemona, but the Senate approves their marriage and appoints Othello to lead the Venetian army in Cyprus against the Turks. Promoting Cassio to lieutenant for his help in the courtship of Desdemona, Othello ignores lago's claim to the post. Iago persuades Roderigo, an unsuccessful suitor of Desdemona, to fight the happily drunken Cassio, who is discharged. lago then befriends Cassio and has him beg Desdemona to plead for him with Othello. At the same time Iago warns Othello that Cassio is having an affair with his wife. Brilliantly manipulating Othello's jealousy and rising anger, lago has his wife Emilia, who is Desdemona's serving woman, steal a handkerchief Othello gave his bride at their wedding, and plants it on Cassio. Convinced of her infidelity, Othello smothers his beloved wife in their marriage bed. Iago then kills Roderigo (for failing to murder Cassio) and Emilia. But he is too late: Emilia has already proven Iago's guilt and Desdemona's innocence to Othello. Othello stabs lago (who is now under arrest), but fails to kill him, and commits suicide.