A Moor named Othello is a general in the Venetian army. Iago is an extremely jealous ensign that hates Othello because he gave Cassio the lieutenancy instead of Iago. Scheming Iago convinces Cassio and Roderigo to rouse Brabantio and tell him that his daughter Desdemona has eloped with Othello. Brabantio is enraged and organizes a band of armed men to search for Othello. Iago warns Othello about Brabantio, but Othello pays him little heed. Cassio arrives to tell Othello that he has been called to meet with the duke and senators of Venice. They are to discuss a Turkish invasion of the Venetian colony on Cyprus. Just then Brabantio arrives and his men attempt to seize Othello. However, Othello convinces Brabantio to let the duke decide the case. After hearing Brabantio's charge that Othello has bewitched Desdemona, the duke insists on more supporting evidence, so Othello suggests they bring in Desdemona. While they go to fetch her, Othello tells them about his courtship of Desdemona. When she arrives she tells them that she married Othello because she loves him. He is vindicated and the duke orders him to Cyprus that very night. Desdemona asks to go with him, and her wish is granted. Othello gives Iago the responsibility of getting her to Cyprus. Roderigo despairs of ever getting Desdemona's love and contemplates suicide. Iago convinces him to sell his land for cash, and follow Desdemona to Cyprus instead. Iago continues his plotting to use Othello's marriage against him and get Cassio's job as lieutenant.       While Cassio, Desdemona, Emilia, and Iago arrive safely in Cyprus, the Turkish fleet is destroyed by a storm. Desdemona eagerly greets Othello after his ship arrives. Iago begins to put his plot into action. He convinces Roderigo that Desdemona is really in love with Cassio and that he should help get Cassio dismissed from the lieutenancy. Iago gets Cassio drunk to make it easy for Roderigo to provoke him into a brawl. Cassio fights Roderigo and then Montano, whom he injures. Othello hears the commotion and gets out of bed to see what's happening. He arrives on the scene and takes the lieutenancy from Cassio. Iago suggests that Cassio ask Desdemona to take up his cause with Othello. Iago plans to tell Othello that the reason Desdemona is supporting Cassio is because they are actually lovers.       Cassio takes Iago's suggestion, and asks Emilia to arrange a meeting between him and Desdemona. Emilia assures him that Desdemona is already doing all she can on his behalf, but she agrees to arrange an interview. Othello walks in while Desdemona and Cassio are speaking. Cassio leaves quickly, not wanting to talk with Othello. Desdemona leaves after asking Othello to reconsider his decision about Cassio. Iago then suggests to Othello that Cassio's quick exit seems a bit suspicious but insinuates that he knows more than he's able to tell. Desdemona drops the strawberry-spotted handkerchief which Othello has given her. Emilia retrieves the handkerchief and hands it over to Iago, who has often asked for it. Othello has now become insanely jealous and threatens death to Iago if he doesn't provide some kind of proof. Iago tells him that Cassio has talked in his sleep about making love to Desdemona and that he's used Desdemona's handkerchief to wipe his beard. Othello vows to kill Desdemona and Iago vows to kill Cassio. Othello gives Iago the lieutenancy. Desdemona is concerned about the loss of her handkerchief, especially after Othello asks for it and rebukes her for not having it. Cassio has found Desdemona's handkerchief in his room (placed there by Iago). He asks Bianca, a courtesan, to copy the embroidery on the handkerchief.       Iago tells Othello many descriptions of Desdemona's alleged infidelity with Cassio until Othello faints. Iago then puts Othello where he can see Cassio and Bianca talking, but cannot hear them. Iago tells Othello that the bawdy conversation is really about Cassio and Desdemona. Lodovico arrives with orders that call Othello back to Venice, and that Cassio is to be appointed in his place. Othello's rage has grown: he strikes Desdemona in the presence of Lodovico, rudely sends her away, and then walks away in a jealous rage. Lodovico is amazed at the change in Othello. Emilia endures questioning by Othello who acts as though Emila were a mistress of a brothel and Desdemona one of her prostitutes. Desdemona turns to Iago for help after Othello denounces her to her face as a whore. Later Roderigo complains to Iago that all of his gifts to Desdemona have got him nowhere. He threatens to ask for the gifts back, and Iago counters with a threat that Desdemona will leave Cyprus with Othello unless Roderigo does something. Iago suggests killing Cassio as the best way to delay Othello and Roderigo.       During the night, on the street, Roderigo attacks Cassio and ends up getting stabbed. Iago then wounds Cassio in the leg. Othello hears Cassio cry out and he thinks that Iago has killed him, so he goes to kill Desdemona. Meanwhile, Iago kills the injured Roderigo. Iago tries to frame Bianca for Cassio's injury. Othello enters Desdemona's bedroom and finds her fast asleep. He kisses her before awaking her to accuse her one last time of infidelity. While she protests he smothers her. Emilia comes in and Othello tells her everything. Emilia cries "Murder" and Iago, Montano, and Gratiano arrive. Emilia reveals the truth, and Othello stabs himself in remorse. Lodovico takes Iago away to be tortured and killed for his crimes. Cassio becomes Lord Governor of Cyprus.       Fair skin had always been preferable to dark. Fair skin signalled wealth and status. Only the lower classes would be sunburnt or have a tan of any kind. Dark skin was often associated with villainy, heathenism, and lack of beauty. People of colour became more usual in England during the sixteenth century, but were still considered a novelty. They were kept as entertainment by various courts and were not treated with human dignity. Fair skinned Europeans were considered superior to tanned Europeans by English standards; when people of colour were added to that hierarchy, they were placed below the tanned Europeans. Master Penny would have found Othello intriguing as a Moor in a position of authority (Briggs 96). -- Mary Boyd, 2000