In William Shakespeare's play Othello, the central conflict revolves around the character of Iago, who is a master manipulator and one of the most villainous characters in the Shakespearean canon. Iago is envious of Cassio's promotion over him, and determined to seek revenge, he hatches a nefarious plan to destroy Cassio's reputation and sabotage his relationship with Othello.
Iago alleges to Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona, Othello's newlywed wife. Iago plants the idea of Cassio's infidelity in Othello's mind, who is already insecure about his own status as an outsider in Venetian society. Desdemona is completely loyal to Othello, but her repeated attempts to defend Cassio only serve to further fuel Iago's scheme.
Othello becomes consumed with jealousy and suspicion, and ultimately spirals into madness as he becomes increasingly convinced of Desdemona's supposed infidelity. In the final act of the play, Othello murders Desdemona in a fit of rage before discovering the truth behind Iago's malicious lies.
Alongside its exploration of the destructive effects of jealousy and manipulation, Othello is also renowned for its portrayal of complex characters who grapple with issues of race, identity, and power. Othello himself is an outsider in a society dominated by white Europeans, and his sense of alienation and insecurity only furthers the hold that Iago is able to exert over him.