Othello: Summary *Othello is a tense, closely-knit play, with an ever-increasing emotional scene. The character Iago, Othello's ancient, is the cause of all the tragedy which comes to pass as the play progresses. He is a manipulator, opposing Othello not directly, but through other characters whom he tricks. From his actions throughout the play one sees that Iago was gifted at using other people, to further his own schemes. *Act One, Scene One is the most important because it foreshadows the whole drama. Iago gives the reader warning that he is not all that he seems when he says, "I am not what I am" (I,i). He appears to help Roderigo, a suitor to Desdemona, who has