Othello, the Moor of Venice – William Shakespeare

Details Of The Book

Title: Othello, the Moor of Venice (Othello)
Author: William Shakespeare
Date of Creation : ~1603

About The Author

William Shakespeare ( baptism: April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616) was an English playwright. He is famous with his creation, including 39 plays, 154 sonnets, 3 long narrative poems, and more. His works continue to be studied and reinterpreted until now.

His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, including his four great tragedies, which are Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth.

About The Play

Main Characters

• Othello – General in the Venetian military, a noble Moor
• Desdemona – Othello’s wife; daughter of Brabantio
• Iago – Othello’s trusted, but jealous and traitorous ensign
• Cassio – Othello’s loyal and most beloved captain
• Emilia – Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maidservant
• Bianca – Cassio’s lover
• Brabantio – Venetian senator and Desdemona’s father
• Roderigo – dissolute Venetian, in love with Desdemona
• Duke of Venice
• Gratiano – Brabantio’s brother
• Lodovico – Brabantio’s kinsman and Desdemona’s cousin
• Montano – Othello’s Venetian predecessor in the government of Cyprus
• Clown – servant

Plot Summary

At the beginning of the play, the rich and flirtatious gentleman Roderigo takes the stage and complains to the flag officer Iago that he knows nothing about Desdemona’s marriage to Othello. He had previously informed his father of his fascination with the woman, and now regrets her choice. Othello promotes Cassio, which Iago deeply resents. Iago suspects Othello of having been in bed with his wife Emilia and accuses Cassio of being nothing more than a man of paper and lacking in practical experience. Iago talks at length about Roderigo’s failed courtship and his own dissatisfaction with Othello, and succeeds in instructing Roderigo to tip off Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, about his daughter’s elopement. Iago himself quietly finds Othello and tells him of Brabantio’s arrival.

News of the Turkish troops’ attack on Cyprus reaches Venice, and General Othello is summoned by the Senate. The senator Brabantio accuses Othello of seducing his daughter with witchcraft, but Othello defends himself by telling the crowd his earlier story that Desdemona had fallen in love with him and gained the trust of the senators, including the Duke of Venice, Lodovico and Gratiano; Brabantio, however, remains dissatisfied, saying that Desdemona will eventually betray Othello. The Duke orders Othello to command the Venetian troops against the Turkish army invading Cyprus, and allows his wife, Vice-Admiral Cassio, Flag Officer Iago, and Iago’s wife Emilia to accompany him.

The troops arrived in Cyprus and found that the storm had destroyed the Turkish fleet. Othello hosted a feast to celebrate and drank in private with Desdemona. In the absence of the commander, Iago gets the incompetent Cassio drunk and then encourages Roderigo to challenge Cassio and create chaos. Othello steps in, accuses Cassio and removes him from his position. Iago convinces Cassio to commission Desdemona to intercede on his behalf.

Iago turns to Othello and claims that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. Othello had given his handkerchief to Desdemona as a first gift, and the latter had accidentally lost it on the ground. Iago asked Emilia to pick up the handkerchief and give it to Cassio. Iago then has Othello observe and provokes Cassio to talk about his story with his mistress, Bianca, leading Othello to believe that he is talking about Desdemona. Bianca finds the handkerchief and accuses Cassio of hiding his treasures and having many mistresses. When Othello spies on this, Iago whispers that it was given to him by Desdemona as a token of affection. Othello is furious and humiliates his wife in public.

Roderigo complains to Iago that he has nothing to gain, and the latter encourages him to assassinate Cassio. When Cassio leaves Bianca’s place, Roderigo attacks Cassio and is badly wounded by him; Iago stabs Cassio from behind, wounding him in the leg. Iago hides himself in the shadows, and when the crowd hears Cassio’s cry for help, Iago appears and pretends to help Cassio. When Cassio identifies Roderigo as the murderer, Iago immediately kills him and accuses Bianca of being an accomplice.

At night, Othello confronts Desdemona and strangles the latter in bed. Emilia arrives and sees the situation and calls for help; the crowd then arrives and Emilia offers an explanation. When Othello mentions the handkerchief, Emilia comes to her senses and reveals Iago’s plot, who is furious and assassinates his wife. Regretful, Othello attacks Iago, who admits guilt but refuses to offer any explanation. Lodovico convicts both of them and Othello kills himself. Lodovico declares Gratiano as Othello’s successor and takes Cassio and Iago back to Venice.