There was a general named Othello, in Venice. He was a Moor lago, an officer under him was angry with Othello, because he was not made a lieutenant. Instead, the general had chosen Michael Cassio.
Othello had won the love of Desdemona, the beautiful daughter of a Senator named Brabantio lago asked his friend Roderigo to tell Brabantio that Desdemona had left to marry Othello. Brabantio was against this marriage because Othello was a Moor. However, the Duke of Venice allowed Desdemona to go with Othello, who was sent on a mission to Cyprus to stop a Turkish invasion. Othello announced a festival in Cyprus, as the Turkish fleet was out of action.
Cunning lago made Cassio drink too much, and drew him into a quarrel with Roderigo. Othello learned of Cassio’s mis-behaviour, and stripped him of his rank. Then lago was able to make Othello believe that Desdemona was unfaithful to him, and in love with Cassio. Othello grew mad with jealousy, and he ordered lago to kill Cassio.
Lago would not stop there, however. He planted Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s room to prove that she and Cassio were lovers. lago also had Roderigo try to kill Cassio, but the attempt went wrong. Cassio wounded Roderigo, and lago stabbed Cassio in the leg. Othello heard Cassio cry out, and thought lago had killed him.
At the castle, Othello woke Desdemona from her sleep, accused her cruelly and strangled her to death. Then lago’s wife Emilia came there and told Othello the truth about the handkerchief. Othello was shocked to hear this and flew at lago. lago fled, but was later captured. Othello could not stand his grief and he stabbed himself in the heart. Before he died, the tragic hero’s lips touched the face of Desdemona.
Picture Credit : Google
