Shakespeare’s play begins with a heated discussion between Roderigo and Iago, two Venetian men, the latter being a part of the city’s military. Roderigo is upset that he spent his money paying Iago to help him woo the lovely Desdemona, with no result. On his part, Iago has just received the news that he has been demoted. Thus, after hearing that Othello, a Florencian, has stolen his expected title of general, the story’s villain conceives a plan to ruin him.

When word comes round that the newly appointed general has married Desdemona without the prior consent of her father, the path to destruction strikes clear for Iago. Aware that Roderigo still wishes to pursue her, Iago presents the recent union as a mere minor setback. He then, in his conversations with Othello, begins to create the impression that Desdemona has been unfaithful. However, his sabotaging does not end there! Iago’s manipulative nature causes him to compel the other characters, leading them to utter mayhem in his web of lies that are all inextricably interwoven.