Othello Tragic and Serious Othello, a play by William Shakespeare, is set in Venice during the invasion of the island of Cyprus by the Turks. The protagonist of the story, Othello, is a newly married Moorish general with a very naive character. The antagonist of the story is Iago, an officer of Othello who wishes to be promoted to lieutenant, but the job has been given to the young and attractive Cassio. Other important characters in the play are Desdemona, Othello's wife accused of having an affair with Cassio. Furthermore there are Roderigo, a Venetian deeply in love with Desdemona; and Emilia (Iago's wife) who could have prevented Desdemona's death. The tone of the story is tragic and serious. Meanwhile, there is no point of view because this is a play and normally a play doesn't have a narrator. Shakespeare lets the reader create their own imagination with the words and behavior of the characters. Since Othello is the protagonist, he is explained in more detail. Although Othello is a brave warrior, he is a jealous person; even his jealousy prevails over his common sense. The entire play depicts the fact that jealousy causes corruption. There are many conflicts present in Othello and person against person is one of them. An example is when Iago seeks revenge against Othello and Cassio due to his anger and jealousy. Person vs. Society appears when Desdemona's father Brabantio disapproves of her marriage to Othello because he is several years older than Desdemona, of a different class, and of a different race. An internal conflict between person and himself occurs when Othello finds himself in a dilemma whether or not to believe that Desdemona is unfaithful to him. Othello loves and trusts Desdemona until his jealousy is aroused by Iago's cruel manipulations. Iago's intention was to persuade Othello to believe that Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio. When Iago manages to convince Othello that Desdemona is guilty of adultery, the climax of the play is reached. And so Othello must face emotions that he cannot manage. His jealousy drives him crazy and his judgment is replaced by anger and hatred. At this moment, the reader notices that Desdemona's death is inevitable. Othello suffocates her and ultimately kills himself when he knows that Iago has falsely accused Desdemona. This also represents the tragedy of the work.