Who Dies in Othello?
The title character of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, dies at the end of the play. His wife Desdemona also dies, but her death is not caused by Othello. Instead, it is caused by her husband’s jealous rage.
Othello is a Moorish general who has been married to Desdemona for nine years and has two small children with her. He is respected by everyone except Iago, his ensign and best friend. Iago hates Othello because he believes he was passed up for promotion due to favoritism on Othello’s part.
Iago plans to ruin Othello by convincing him that Desdemona is cheating on him with another man named Cassio (who had previously been promoted over Iago). Othello kills Desdemona after believing this lie, only realizing it was false when it’s too late to save her life or his own honor.
