Othello story

play: Othello (1603) · 1603 · William Shakespeare

Othello (The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603. It is based on the story Un Capitano Moro ("A Moorish Captain") by Cinthio (a disciple of Boccaccio's), first published in 1565.[2] The story revolves around its two central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, and his treacherous ensign, Iago. Given its varied and enduring themes of racism, love, jealousy, betrayal, revenge, and repentance, Othello is still often performed in professional and community theatre alike, and has been the source for numerous operatic, film, and literary adaptations.

24 total · 2 choice · 15 major · 7 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
jealousy choice Iago at Cassio for promotion; Othello vv. Cassio about Desdemona
the desire for vengeance choice Iago at Othello and Cassio for promotion; Othello at Cassio and Desdemona
betrayal major Iago betrayed people who thought he was their friend
coping with having injured someone major Othello when he realized Desdemona was in fact innocent
extramarital affair major Othello believed that Desdemona had had an affair with Cassio.
false friend major Iago pretended to e friends with both Cassio and Othello but acted treacherously behind their backs
friendship major Iago betrayed people who thought he was their friend
husband and wife major Othello and Desdemona; Iago and Emilia
love triangle major Othello, Cassio, Desdemona, Roderigo
murder major Roderigo attempted to kill Cassio. Iago killed Roderigo.