Act 1 Scene 1

Desdemona, daughter of senator Brabantio, has recently eloped with Othello. Now this alone, in our society, would not seem of much reason to establish a tragic play. However, Iago, a soldier, reveals that he truly hates Othello for promoting Cassio as lieutenant rather than him, establishing Iago as the antagonist who serves to catalyse a series of actions to bring down our tragic hero: Othello.