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Overview
Synopsis
Shakespeare’s Othello is one of his most intimate and devastating tragedies of all. It is a story about society, status and the nature of the outsider – but it is also a story about the love and trust between friends, and between men and women.
Defying her father and society to follow her heart, Desdemona secretly marries Othello – a powerful general, and a Moor. Despite her father’s objections in court, Desdemona remains committed to Othello and follows him from Venice to Cyprus, where he is commissioned to serve. Iago, a junior officer and Othello’s most trusted adviser, is tormented by his lack of promotion. Despite Othello’s confidence in Iago’s honesty, Iago reveals that he is in fact hateful of Othello, and sets out to destroy Othello and Desdemona’s happiness, manipulating Othello to serve his own ends. Iago convinces Othello that his wife has been unfaithful with the up-and-coming young soldier Michael Cassio.
As Iago draws Othello and the audience into a web of half-truths, secrets, and betrayal, scandal is fueled -- families and friendships destroyed -- until a piece of supposed evidence of Desdemona’s infidelity, a handkerchief (which Iago calls "trifle light as air") tragically undoes them all. Othello commissions Iago to kill Michael Cassio, and then smothers Desdemona in her bed. When Emilia discovers Othello in the act, she confronts him and explains that it was Iago who tricked them all. Iago kills Emilia, but not before Othello has learned what has been done. Othello commits suicide, and Iago is taken into custody. The play ends before we know what ultimately happens to Iago, but we do know that a profusion of devastation has been left in his wake.
Show Information
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1603
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- venice and cyprus, time unspecified
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, High School, Large Cast, Mature Audiences, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
The first definitive performance of Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice occurred on November 1, 1604. The source material is predominantly Cinthio’s Un Capitano Moro (The Moorish Captain), although Elizabethan England did have contact with Muslim delegates from Africa. Often, the Moroccan ambassador to Queen Elizabeth, Abd el-Ouahed ben Mohommed Anoun, is thought to be the specific inspiration for the character of Othello. He was significant in negotiating an alliance between
to read the context for Othello and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Othello, The Moor of Venice begins with two men - Roderigo and Iago - slinking their way through the streets of Venice to Brabantio’s house. Roderigo is in love with Desdemona, Brabantio’s daughter and Othello’s new bride. Iago is Othello’s lieutenant, and was passed over for a promotion. Both men have reason to hate Othello, and call to Brabantio to warn him that Othello has kidnapped and married Desdemona. From the darkness, Iago cries out that “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe.”
to read the plot for Othello and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Ensemble |
Either Gender |
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Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Pimp or go-between
Disguise or deceive
Referring to life in England under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, 1558-1603.
A type of printing in which four pages of text are printed on one sheet (two per side), and then folded to make four total pages. This was a popular method for printing plays in the Elizabethan period.
Referring to life in England under the reign of King James I, 1603-1625.
A scoundrel; a young man or boy; a servant
Please, I ask of you
A format of printing in which eight pages of text are printed on a single page (four on each side), and then folded and cut to make eight total book pages. Quartos were popular methods of printing plays in the Elizabethan period.
A speech given by a character that reveals inner thoughts only shared with the audience.
Formal request
A play that centers around the downfall of the main character through tragic actions and events.
The protagonist, generally someone who is noble or royal, and is brought to a downfall by their own hubris.
An exclamation meaning "God's wounds"; used to express frustration or surprise
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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