Michael Cassio, or simply
Cassio, is a fictional character in
William Shakespeare's
Othello. The source of the character is the 1565 tale "Un Capitano Moro" by
Cinthio; Cassio is unnamed in Cinthio but referred to as "the squadron leader". In the play, Cassio is a young and handsome lieutenant under
Othello's command who becomes one of
Iago's several victims in a plot to ruin Othello.