 ONE NIGHT OF SHAKESPEARE - THE PLAYS
Othello
One of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, Othello introduces us to the villain Iago.
After being passed over for promotion as Othello's new lieutenant chief of staff, as well as losing Desdemona to Othello's charms, Iago plots revenge. After hearing of Othello and Desdemona's secret marriage, Iago sends one of his followers to tell the bride's father Senator Brabantio. Brabantio is extremely angry but when Othello is called up for a military campaign, Desdemona travels with him anyway.
During the journey Desdemona is looked after by Iago and his wife Emilia, which allows Iago to twist the truth and convince Othello his wife has been unfaithful with Cassio, Othello's lieutenant chief of staff. Iago's final 'proof' that Desdemona is guilty is when she loses the handkerchief Othello gave her. Emilia convinces Othello that his wife has given the handkerchief to Cassio as a token of her love and Othello sees red.
Overcome by his jealousy Othello wakes his sleeping wife, and even though she says she is innocent, smothers her with a pillow.
Emilia enters the room and admits the truth to Othello, who then realises the mistake he has made. Iago, livid that his wife has confessed, stabs her, then gets arrested. Unable to live with his tragic mistake, Othello takes his own life beside his innocent wife's body.
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