Summary
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster…”
In Othello, Shakespeare tells the story of Othello, a noble and respected Black general in the Venetian army, who secretly marries Desdemona, a beautiful and virtuous woman from a powerful white family.
Their love defies societal norms—but it also becomes the target of cruel manipulation.
Enter Iago, Othello’s ensign, a master of deception fueled by envy and resentment.
Through whispers, lies, and planted evidence, Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful with his lieutenant, Cassio.
Consumed by jealousy, Othello’s judgment unravels, leading him to commit an irreversible act of violence.
By the time the truth emerges, the damage is done—and the play ends in one of Shakespeare’s most harrowing and tragic climaxes.