The film is an adaptation of the Shakespearean play which bears the same name. The plot of the film follows the original one, with the main characters being Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Iago, and Emilia.
The play is a tragedy, with the main conflicts being caused by the desire to gain political power. Iago, Othello's companion is jealous that Cassio is the one who is given all the power and influence by Othello. The two men are described as being close, brothers to an extent who are willing to do everything for one another. Iago is unable to rise politically as long as this relationship continues to exist between the two so he decides to use Desdemona to break the two apart.
Desdemona is the woman with whom Othello married in secret. In the film, a great accent is put on her devotion to Othello and her love for him. Desdemona refused to remain home when her husband went to war and instead accompanied him, even though she knew she was putting her own life in danger. Desdemona is also loyal to her husband and is the embodiment of the perfect wife according to the 17th century standards.
Iago plants the idea that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair in Othello's mind. Othello refuses to believe in those rumors at first but then he discovers a piece of evidence that makes him sure that his wife and his best friend are having an affair. Blinded by rage, Othello kills his wife in their bedroom by strangling her and then plans to kill Cassio as well.
In true tragic fashion, Othello learns about Iago's plan and his manipulation only after Desdemona is dead. By this time, Othello has no power to bring back his beloved wife which was faithful to him all along. What he decides to do is attack Yago and then send him away to be killed and tortured while Othello remains alone with the body of Desdemona.
In true Shakespearean fashion, the play has an ending that can be compared with the one in Romeo and Juliet. Othello decides he does not want to live without his wife and kills himself right beside her. The film ends with Othello stabbing himself while asking Desdemona for forgiveness. Before he dies, Othello kisses Desdemona one more time and then collapses right beside her.
The ending is a tragic one but the message is a clear one - the two were unable to be together while alive but they both hoped to be right beside one another in the next one.
