Othello is a play by William Shakespeare that explores themes of love, jealousy, power, greed, prejudice, purity and heroism through its main characters Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Michael Cassio, Emilia and Roderigo. Iago manipulates Othello's jealousy and distrust to turn him against his wife Desdemona, leading to tragedy. The play is set in Venice, Italy.