what is othello

Othello is a Moor (man of black complexion) in the powerful Venetian Army. He falls desperately in love with the fair Desdemona who is white. She is also much younger than Othello. The Venetian nobility and royalty love Othello for his victories in war but are not so excited about Othello marrying a nobleman's white daughter. Still they let it go because both profess their love. Othello's undoing (this is a tragedy) is his jealousy and inability to see events in less than extremes. He has a huge ego that, when tampered with, is pretty much combustible!