Malthar (Othello)

Malthar (Othello) – Summer Islander Captain in the Iron Fleet
Lelia (Desdemona) – Malthar's wife; daughter of Vickon Goodbrother
Iago Lannister (Iago) – Malthar's trusted, but jealous and traitorous, ensign
Aeron Greyjoy (Cassio) – Malthar's loyal and most beloved captain
Alannys (Bianca) – Aeron's lover
Yara (Emilia) – Iago's salt wife and Lelia's maidservant
Vickon Goodbrother (Brabantio) – Lord of Hammerhorn
Urrigon (Rodrigo) – dissolute ironborn, in love with Lelia
King Qhorwyn (Doge of Venice)
Euron (Gratiano) – Vickon's brother
Balon (Lodovico) – Vickon's kinsman and Lelia's cousin
Othgar (Montano) – Malthar's ironborn predecessor as governor of Fair Isle
Fool (Clown) – servant
Ironborn lords (Senators)
Captains, Nobles, Messengers, Herald, Attendants, Musicians, etc.

Plot

Act I

Urrigon, a rich and dissolute nobleman, complains to his friend Iago, an ensign, that Iago has not told him about the secret marriage between Lelia, the daughter of Lord Vickon Goodbrother, and Malthar, a Summer Islander captain in the Iron Fleet. Urrigon is upset because he loves Lelia and had asked her father for her hand in marriage.

Iago, himself a Lannister, hates Malthar for promoting a younger man named Aeron Greyjoy above him, whom Iago considers less capable a sailor than himself, and tells Urrigon that he plans to use Malthar for his own advantage. Iago convinces Urrigon to wake Lord Vickon and tell him about his daughter's elopement. Meanwhile, Iago sneaks away to find Malthar and warns him that Lord Vickon is coming for him.

Lord Vickon, provoked by Urrigon, is enraged and will not rest until he has beheaded Malthar, but he finds Malthar's residence full of King Qhorwyn's guards, who prevent violence. News has arrived in Great Wyk that the Lannisters are going to attack Fair Isle; therefore Malthar is summoned to advise the captains. Lord Vickon has no option but to accompany Malthar to Hoare Castle, where he accuses Malthar of seducing Lelia by witchcraft.

Malthar defends himself before the King, Lord Vickon's kinsmen Balon and Euron, and various captains. Malthar explains that Lelia became enamored of him for the sad and compelling stories he told of his life before Great Wyk, not because of any witchcraft. The assembled captains are satisfied, once Lelia confirms that she loves Malthar, but Lord Vickon leaves saying that Lelia will betray Malthar: "Look to her, black, if thou hast eyes to see/She has deceived her father, and may thee." By order of the King, Malthar leaves Great Wyk to command the Iron Fleet against invading Westermen on the island of Fair Isle, accompanied by his new wife, his new lieutenant Aeron, his ensign Iago, and Iago's salt wife, Yara, as Lelia's attendant.

Act II

The party arrives in Fair Isle to find that a storm has destroyed the Lannister fleet. Malthar orders a general celebration and leaves to consummate his marriage with Lelia. In his absence, Iago gets Aeron drunk, and then persuades Urrigon to draw Aeron into a fight. Othgar tries to calm an angry and drunk Aeron down, but they end up fighting one another. Othgar is injured in the fight. Malthar reenters and questions the men as to what happened. Malthar blames Aeron for the disturbance and strips him of his rank. Aeron is distraught. Iago persuades Aeron to importune Lelia to convince her husband to reinstate Aeron.

Act III

Iago now persuades Malthar to be suspicious of Aeron and Lelia. When Lelia drops a handkerchief (the first gift given to her by Malthar), Yara finds it, and gives it to her husband Iago, at his request, unaware of what he plans to do with it. Malthar reenters and vows with Iago for the death of Lelia and Aeron.

Act IV

Iago plants the handkerchief in Aeron's lodgings, then tells Malthar to watch Aeron's reactions while Iago questions him. Iago goads Aeron on to talk about his affair with Alannys, a local prostitute, but whispers her name so quietly that Malthar believes the two men are talking about Lelia. Later, Alannys accuses Aeron of giving her a second-hand gift which he had received from another lover. Malthar sees this, and Iago convinces him that Aeron received the handkerchief from Lelia.

Enraged and hurt, Malthar resolves to kill his wife and asks Iago to kill Aeron. Malthar proceeds to make Lelia's life miserable, hitting her in front of visiting Ironborn nobles. Meanwhile, Urrigon complains that he has received no results from Iago in return for his money and efforts to win Lelia, but Iago convinces him to kill Aeron.

Act V

Urrigon attacks Aeron in the street after Aeron leaves Alannys' lodgings. Aeron wounds Urrigon. During the scuffle, Iago comes from behind Aeron and badly cuts his leg. In the darkness, Iago manages to hide his identity, and when Balon and Euron hear Aeron's cries for help, Iago joins them. When Aeron identifies Urrigon as one of his attackers, Iago secretly stabs Urrigon to stop him revealing the plot. Iago then accuses Alannys of the failed conspiracy to kill Aeron.

Malthar confronts Lelia, and then strangles her to death in their bed. When Yara arrives, Malthar accuses Lelia of adultery. Yara calls for help. The former governor Othgar arrives, with Euron and Iago. When Malthar mentions the handkerchief as proof, Yara realizes what her husband Iago has done, and she exposes him, whereupon he kills her. Malthar, belatedly realising Lelia's innocence, stabs Iago but not fatally, saying that he would rather have Iago live the rest of his life in pain.

Iago refuses to explain his motives, vowing to remain silent from that moment on. Balon apprehends both Iago and Malthar for the murders of Urrigon and Yara, but Malthar commits suicide. Balon appoints Euron Malthar's successor and exhorts Aeron to punish Iago justly.