Othello facts for kids
Othello, the Moor of Venice is a famous tragedy play written by William Shakespeare around the year 1603. It was first performed on November 1st, 1604, at Whitehall Palace in London. This play is so well-known that it has inspired many other works, including the opera Otello by Giuseppe Verdi. You might have also seen it on TV shows like Masterpiece Theater on PBS.
The Story of Othello
The play begins with Othello, a brave general in the army, promoting Cassio to be his lieutenant. This makes Iago, Othello's ensign (a lower-ranking officer), very angry and jealous. Iago decides to get revenge by creating a tricky plan against Cassio.
Iago's plan involves making Cassio look bad and causing Othello to doubt Cassio's loyalty. Even worse, Iago tells Othello that his wife, Desdemona, is being unfaithful with Cassio. These lies make Othello very upset and confused.
Because of Iago's tricks, Cassio loses his job as lieutenant, and Iago gets promoted instead. Believing Iago's false stories, Othello tragically acts on his mistaken beliefs, which leads to Desdemona's death.
Soon after, Iago's wife, Emilia, reveals the truth to Othello: Iago had planned everything. Othello is shocked and heartbroken to realize he was tricked. He confronts Iago and injures him, but does not kill him. Filled with sorrow and regret, Othello dies next to his wife after asking Emilia to apologize to Cassio for the terrible things he did.
Main Characters in Othello
Here are the main characters you will meet in the play:
- Othello – A brave general
- Iago – Othello's ensign, who is jealous
- Roderigo – A rich gentleman
- Montano – The governor of Cyprus
- Cassio – Othello's loyal lieutenant
- Brabantio – Desdemona's father
- Desdemona – Othello's wife
- Bianca – Cassio's girlfriend
- Emilia – Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant
Images for kids
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Ira Aldridge as Othello, Henry Perronet Briggs (c. 1830)
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Desdemona and Othello, by Antonio Muñoz Degrain, 1880
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Othello costume. Illustration by Percy Anderson for Costume Fanciful, Historical and Theatrical, 1906
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Title page of the first quarto (1622)
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Portrait of Abd el-Ouahed ben Messaoud ben Mohammed Anoun, Moorish ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I in 1600, sometimes suggested as the inspiration for Othello.
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Artist William Mulready portrays American actor Ira Aldridge as Othello. The Walters Art Museum.
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Poster for an 1884 American production starring Thomas W. Keene
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"Othello" Chechnya National theatre Director Roman Markha (2021)
See also
In Spanish: Otelo para niños
