Othello is principally a story of jealousy and its destructive power. Othello is a courageous general in Venice and unusually for Shakespeare, a Moor with a black complexion. Although aware that he is a jealous character and even though he truly loves the fair Desdemona, he is willing to be persuaded by his clever and envious ensign, Iago, that she is being unfaithful to him. It is a true tragedy which is clearly captured in this telling of the story.