The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice (1622) is Shakespeare’s tragedy about the downfall of Othello. Lago, a deceitful, devious ensign in the Venitian Army, is bitter about being passed over for promotion to lieutenant in favor of Cassio, so he sets out to get even. He fools Roderigo into thinking he served Othello, the general of Moor’s Army, but his subsequent actions only serve himself and lead to the king’s demise. Othello is convinced to murder his wife, and it’s all downhill from there.
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is based on the Italian short story Un Capitano Moro (A Moorish Captain) by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565. The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army; his new wife, Desdemona; his lieutenant, Cassio; and his trusted ensign, Iago.
