The action takes place on the island of Cyprus at the end of the 15th century.

ACT I

During a storm, Cypriots anxiously wait for their governor Otello, who has led his forces into a naval battle against the Turks. Otello arrives, victorious. 

The Venetian Roderigo is in love with Otello’s wife Desdemona; Iago, who secretly hates Otello, offers to help Roderigo. Iago plies Cassio with wine and needles Roderigo into picking a fight with Cassio. The outgoing governor Montano calls Cassio to guard duty and is shocked to find him drunk. Cassio attacks Montano and Roderigo. Otello arrives and stops the fight, stripping Cassio of his captaincy. 

Alone, Otello and Desdemona enjoy the peaceful evening, exult in their happiness and kiss.

ACT II

Iago urges Cassio to ask Desdemona to intercede for him with Otello. Alone, Iago rejoices in his own malignity. Iago tells Otello that he worries about Cassio’s friendship with Desdemona. Otello initially refuses to believe him, but becomes suspicious when Desdemona pleads for Cassio’s pardon. Desdemona offers to bind her husband’s aching head with her handkerchief, but he throws it to the ground. Emilia picks it up and Iago takes it from her. 

Otello demands proof from Iago of Desdemona’s infidelity. Iago tells him that he heard Cassio talking in his sleep about Desdemona, and has seen him with her embroidered handkerchief. Otello is now certain of his wife’s guilt, and he and Iago vow vengeance. 

INTERVAL

ACT III

Desdemona again pleads for Cassio’s pardon. Otello becomes agitated and demands that she bind his aching head with her embroidered handkerchief. Desdemona explains that she doesn’t have it. Otello accuses her outright of infidelity and, alone, collapses in despair. 

Iago persuades Otello to hide, then gossips with Cassio about the latter’s mistress, Bianca. Otello mistakenly believes they are discussing Desdemona. Cassio confides that he has found a woman’s handkerchief in his lodgings, and produces Desdemona’s (planted by Iago). Otello decides that Desdemona must die. 

The crowd hail Otello and the Venetian emissaries. Otello reads out a decree from the Venetian Doge: he and Desdemona are to return to Venice, and Cassio will become governor. When Otello turns on Desdemona she becomes distraught, and the crowd pity her. Meanwhile, Iago promises to arrange Cassio’s death and orders Roderigo to murder him. 

Otello commands everyone to leave, and curses his wife. Imagining Desdemona and Cassio embracing he collapses in a fit as the crowd hail the ‘Lion of Venice’. 

ACT IV

Desdemona sings the Willow Song that she learnt from her mother’s maid. She feels a presentiment of her own death, prays and finally falls sleep. 

Otello wakes his wife with a kiss. He demands she confess her adultery before he kills her. Desdemona insists on her innocence, but Otello refuses to listen, and smothers her. Emilia arrives with the news that Cassio has killed Roderigo, and to hear Desdemona protest her innocence as she dies. Cassio, Montano and Iago arrive with soldiers. Emilia, Cassio and Montano reveal how Iago deceived Otello, and Iago flees. Full of remorse for what he has done to Desdemona, Otello stabs himself. As he dies he begs Desdemona for one more kiss.