Othello: Characters

Othello: Characters

1. Iago

   • Most terrible characteristic: lack of convincing motivation
   • Willing to take revenge on anyone including his wife - enjoys the damage he causes
   • Machiavellian - scenes with Roderigo show his manipulative abilities
   • Misogynist - shown by murder of Emilia
   • Manages to inspire trust in others which is what enables him to bring about their downfalls

2. Desdemona

   • Overly virtuous - leads to downfall as defends Cassio
   • Challenges Jacobean stereotypes - strong, not meek or withdrawn
   • Argued she is weak, challenged by her speech to father - 'divided duty', when Othello strikes her 'I have not deserved this'
   • Sometimes submissive - willing to take credit for own murder
   • Maintains she is 'guiltless', also forgives Othello

3. Othello

   • Protagonist and hero
   • Prey to insecurities due to race, age and life as a soldier
   • Not mentioned by name until act 1 scene 3. Until then referred to as 'thick-lips', 'moor', 'old black ram' - at a distance from the action
     • Cultural and racial outsider
   • Highlights differences 'rude am I in my speech'
   • Undone by main failings - jealousy (hamartia) and pride

4. Emilia

   • Contrast to Desdemona - theme of innocence/experience
   • Trapped in marriage to malevolent villain - would be better out of the marriage
   • Unaware of Iago's scheming? Steals handkerchief - but redeems self at end
   • Argues women should have equal right to infidelity

5. Cassio

   • Weakness - too flirtatious - innocently as doesn't realise effects it will have
   • Sexist - mocks Bianca's clingy nature, stereotypes Desdemona
   • Oppotsite to Othello in many respects
   • Example of courtly love

6. Roderigo

   • Lust for Desdemona makes him useful to Iago's plot
   • Thinks that giving all his money to Iago will help him get Desdemona - foolish
   • Desperate enough to agree to kill Cassio

7. Brabantio

   • Sees his daughter as his property - as in The Taming of the Shrew
   • Central to themes of race and gender - doubts about interracial marriage and sees Des as property that can be stolen