Characters
Othello- Main Character, is tricked into thinking his wife is having an affair with Cassio (d)
Desdemonia- Main Character's wife, murdered by Othello out of jealousy (d)
Iago- Othello's Ensign, hates him cause he's black, wants Cassio's job, believes he would be better
Cassio- Innocent Party, gets a job as Othello's Lieutenant, gets into a fight and his stripped of rank, but goes to Desdemonia to try and win back Othello's favour
Roderigo- Loves Desdemonia, is persuaded by Iago to attempt to kill Cassio, is murdered by Iago to remain silent (d)
Emilia- Married to Iago, gives iago the handkerchief that convinces Othello that Desdemonia and Cassio had a relationship (d)
Plot
Othello marries Desdemonia in secret. However Roderigo goes to her father and blows their cover. Othello is forced to defend himself from accusations of witchcraft.
News of a Turkish invasion of Cyprus reaches Venice, and Othello, with Cassio his new Lieutenant, and Iago, his ensign, are deployed to Cyprus to defend against the Turkish fleet. Desdemonia is allowed to accompany Othello, and Emilia, Iago's wife, accompanies her as her attendant.
The enemy fleet is destroyed by a storm. Othello calls for a celebration, during which Iago gets Cassio drunk, who causes a fight. Othello strips him of his rank, and blames him for the disturbance caused by Iago.
However, Iago tells Cassio to go to Desdemonia, and convince her to try to plead his case. Whilst Cassio does this, Iago goes to Othello and hints that Cassio and Desdemonia are having an affair. For the rest of the film, "Honest Iago" controls the actions of the characters, turning Othello against his wife and Roderigo against Cassio so that, at the end of the play, Roderigo attempts to murder Cassio, while Othello smothers his wife after accusing her of betraying him and having an affair with Cassio. Roderigo fails, and after he is identified as Cassio's attacker Iago murders him, claiming to have been