Emilia (Othello) Award nomination for her performance. "Othello" has its source in the 1565 tale, "Un Capitano Moro" from "Gli Hecatommithi" by Giovanni Battista Giraldi Cinthio. While no English translation of Cinthio was available in Shakespeare's lifetime, it is probable that Shakespeare knew both the Italian original and Gabriel Chappuy's 1584 French translation. Cinthio's tale may have been based on an actual incident occurring in Venice about 1508. The only named character in Cinthio's story is "Desdemona". Other characters are identified only as the Moor, the squadron leader, the ensign, and the ensign's wife – the original of Shakespeare's Emilia. There's no
United States Othello Association United States Othello Association The United States Othello Association (USOA) is connected with the (trademarked) game of Othello, which is closely connected with the historical game Reversi. The following quote appears in an old issue of its journal, the "Othello Quarterly": "Membership in the United States Othello Association (USOA) is available to all residents of the United States. The USOA is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the advancement of the game of Othello in the United States; its activities include conducting, sponsoring, or sanctioning tournaments, maintaining a national rating system for active players, and publishing instructional materials, including OTHELLO QUARTERLY."