Othello, a Moor who has married a young Venetian gentlewoman, Desdemona, is assigned to fight against a Turkish invasion attempt on the island of Cyprus. During the battle, he was accompanied by his faithful lieutenant, Cassio. When Othello finally arrives at Cyprus, however, the Turkish invasion fleet has been wrecked by a storm, and, reunited with Desdemona, who has volunteered herself to go with him, leads his men and the people of Cyprus in a celebration.
Iago, Othello's trusted companion and ensign, envies Othello's prosperous life and Cassio's lieutenancy and, suspicious that Othello has slept with his own wife, Emilia, plans to ruin both, first by getting Cassio fired and replacing him, and then by manipulating Othello into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. He arouses Othello's suspicion and jealousy gradually and then plants Desdemona's handkerchief in Cassio's room. When Othello finds out about the handkerchief, he is convinced of Desdemona's infidelity and, in a rage, decides to kill her and have Cassio assassinated by Iago.
Othello smothers Desdemona, who dies just as Emilia enters the bedroom, but Cassio is only wounded by Iago's stooge, Roderigo. When Iago is confronted, Emilia tells Othello the truth behind Iago's lies and he realizes what he has done. The authorities and Othello turn on Iago, and, after a running fight, capture him. In despair, Othello stabs and wounds Iago. Othello then kills himself, and Iago is taken away to be tortured and executed.
