Othello

In Venice, at the start of Othello, the soldier Iago announces his hatred for his commander, Othello, a Moor. Othello has promoted Cassio, not Iago, to be his lieutenant.

Iago crudely informs Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, that Othello and Desdemona have eloped. Before the Venetian Senate, Brabantio accuses Othello of bewitching Desdemona. The Senators wish to send Othello to Cyprus, which is under threat from Turkey. They bring Desdemona before them. She tells of her love for Othello, and the marriage stands. The Senate agrees to let her join Othello in Cyprus.

In Cyprus, Iago continues to plot against Othello and Cassio. He lures Cassio into a drunken fight, for which Cassio loses his new rank; Cassio, at Iago’s urging, then begs Desdemona to intervene. Iago uses this and other ploys—misinterpreted conversations, insinuations, and a lost handkerchief—to convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. Othello goes mad with jealousy and later smothers Desdemona on their marriage bed, only to learn of Iago's treachery. He then kills himself.

Othello character map

Understanding and interpreting Othello

Othello and Blackface
Ayanna Thompson and Ian Smith discuss the use of blackface in performances of Othello and a critical new insight about Desdemona's handkerchief.

Insider's Guide: Deception in Othello
Explore key scenes with dramaturg Michele Osherow and actors from Folger Theatre's 2011 production of Othello.

Insider's Guide: Language in Othello
Explore the power of words and language in this play with dramaturg Michele Osherow and actors from Folger Theatre's 2011 production of Othello.

Editing Shakespeare: Word Choice in Othello
Barbara Mowat, co-editor of the Folger Editions, discusses how different word choices affect how a line of Shakespeare can be interpreted.

Desdemona and Emilia: The testament of female friendship in Othello
Explore how the play’s central female friendship between Desdemona and Emilia stands in contrast to the relationship between Othello and Iago.

Cervantes, the Moors of Spain, and the Moor of Venice
Learn why Othello, of all Shakespeare’s plays, is the one that is most frequently compared to Spanish literature in the age of Cervantes, author of Don Quixote.

Performing and adapting Othello

Ira Aldridge
Learn about 19th-century actor Ira Aldridge and his pioneering role as Othello.

Shakespeare in Black and White
In this podcast episode about Shakespeare and African Americans, hear clips from a landmark Broadway production starring Paul Robeson.

Shakespeare and opera: Jealousy and tragedy in Verdi’s Otello
The artistic director of Washington National Opera comments on the Italian opera inspired by Shakespeare's play.

Q Brothers - Othello: The Remix
In this hip-hop adaptation, Othello is a rapper who rockets to stardom when he teams with a diva named Desdemona.

Famous quotes

Each quote is followed by the character who's speaking and the act, scene, and line number. Read the quote in context on the Folger Shakespeare site.

…I will wear my heart upon my sleeve (Iago—1.1.70)

She swore…’twas strange, ‘twas passing strange (Othello—1.3.184–85)

…I am nothing if not critical. (Iago—2.1.134)

When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows (Iago—2.3.371–72)

Be as your fancies teach you (Desdemona—3.3.98)

O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster… (Iago—3.3.195–96)

Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ. (Iago—3.3.370–72)

Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell. (Othello—4.2.48)

That death’s unnatural that kills for loving.
(Desdemona—5.2.48)

As ignorant as dirt!
(Emilia—5.2.200)

…one that loved not wisely, but too well
(Othello—5.2.404)