Othello is a Tragedy of hurt pride, humiliation, jealousy, and revenge.  The play begins with Iago seething at having been passed over for a promotion. He determines to make the general Othello pay for not choosing him to be his lieutenant, and to make Cassio—the man who was given the coveted position—pay as well.

Using everyone’s best qualities against them, Iago takes great pleasure in orchestrating doom.

Iago’s humiliation is twisted up with jealousy over Othello’s happiness in his marriage to Desdemona, and Othello’s high reputation. Iago hates Cassio because he is handsome and popular and has been given the position Iago considers to be his. 

Since “reputation” is what Iago feels he has lost, reputation will be what he takes from Cassio and Desdemona, as he inflames Othello’s fury by making him believe his wife is cheating on him with his new lieutenant.

Cassio—even when he has lost his position—remains devoted to Othello. He does not change with his changed fortune. But Othello—who seemed so strong and sure—becomes unmoored by jealousy as Iago plays offense through feigned defense.

If Iago even has an idea what his prize will be when everyone is ruined—unless that is the prize—he doesn’t get there. The net of evil he hoped to enmesh everyone in, enmeshes Iago as well.

Our narrator is the character of Roderigo, who is also in love with Desdemona, and whose trust in Iago is fatally misplaced.

Othello Screen Credits

Cast Stories

Production Notes

The Making of Othello