Othello Characters

The main characters in Othello are Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia, Cassio, and Roderigo.

  • Othello is a Moorish general driven mad with false jealousy.
  • Iago is Othello’s villainous ensign; he plots Othello’s downfall.
  • Desdemona is Othello’s innocent wife, whom he believes is unfaithful.
  • Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s servant; she reveals Iago’s schemes in the final moments.
  • Cassio is Othello’s lieutenant; Iago frames him and Desdemona by suggesting that they are having an affair.
  • Roderigo is Desdemona’s young Venetian suitor; Iago exploits his desire.

Character List

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Othello

The title character of the play, Othello is a Moorish general of Venice. At the start of the play, he has just promoted one of his soldiers, Michael Cassio, to the position of lieutenant, and eloped with a nobleman’s daughter, Desdemona. Othello is a skilled, well-spoken general, and many in Venice respect him for this reason. The duke of Venice, for instance, seems to trust Othello with any military matters that might arise. 

However, Othello is still seen as an outsider, and various characters such as Roderigo, Brabantio, and Iago make reference to his being Black throughout the play. Othello’s race seems to be the primary reason that Brabantio is angry that Othello has married Desdemona, and it seems to play a role in Iago’s resentment toward him. In this way, Othello remains an outsider in Venice. Although he has accepted Christianity as his primary religion, he still has a connection to paganism. A measured man, Othello is still liable to become possessive and jealous, and it is this latter character trait, aggravated by Iago’s deceit, that leads to the tragedy of the play.

Desdemona

Desdemona is Othello’s wife as well as the daughter of the noble senator Brabantio. Desdemona is a strong character, and at the beginning of the play, she proves herself to be Othello’s equal. For example, Desdemona defends her elopement to her father, and she is able to convince Othello to take her to Cyprus. Until the second half of the play, Othello is willing to fulfill her every wish. Further, she is one of the few characters whom Iago cannot seem to manipulate directly. In the second act, she verbally spars with Iago in such a way that he loses his temper, speaking pointedly and rashly, rather than using the cool rhetoric that he typically uses to manipulate others. These examples show her strength as a wordsmith. 

However, she is also devoted to her husband to a fault. In the second half of the play, she does not resist her husband’s abuse and refuses to blame him, even after he strikes her. A devoted wife, she makes excuses for her husband’s actions until he kills her, and she even blames herself for her death.

Iago

Iago is the villain of the play and serves the role of Othello’s ensign. He is resentful of Othello and Cassio because the former promoted the latter to the rank of lieutenant, but the depths of his villainy are never fully explained. 

Iago is a master manipulator, and by present-day standards he could arguably be classified a sociopath. He is charming and elicits trust in others, as seen by the fact that he is often referred to as “honest Iago,” and yet his scheming leads to a number of false accusations and deaths. He is adept at predicting others’ emotions and reactions, and he uses this to his advantage. Further, although he claims to hate Othello for giving Cassio the position of lieutenant, the revenge he plans seems inordinately cruel compared to the sleight of being passed over for promotion. Often referring to himself as a villain and manipulator, Iago appears to simply enjoy the power that he derives from hurting others.

Emilia

Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. Emilia’s character initially seems weak, because she appears subservient to her villainous husband, receiving his verbal abuse, and because she is complicit in stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief so that Iago can “prove” Desdemona’s infidelity to Othello. However, in conversations with Desdemona, we learn that she does not think particularly highly of men, least of all her husband, and it seems as though she ignores, or believes herself above, her husband’s cruelty. Her fortitude and sense of justice are shown when she attempts to defend Desdemona to Othello on numerous occasions.

Cassio

Cassio is the newly minted lieutenant of the Venetian army, although his degree of military experience is questionable. He is a fairly flat character, but he serves as a useful figure for Iago to manipulate. He is attractive, honorable, and trusting, and for these reasons he is a prime cog in Iago’s scheme to make Othello jealous. He was also instrumental in delivering messages between Desdemona and Othello when they were still courting, a fact which leads Othello to be even more suspicious of Cassio once Iago plants seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind. With his trusting and naïve nature, Cassio—along with Roderigo and Othello—is one of the immediate targets of Iago’s scheming.

Bianca

Bianca is a prostitute who has fallen in love with Cassio. She believes that they should be married, but Cassio is not interested in her romantically. Bianca serves to show that while Cassio is often considered honorable, he can still be cruel. He leads Bianca to believe that she could be his love interest, but he finds this prospect laughable when she is not in his presence.

Roderigo

Roderigo is a young nobleman who is in love with Desdemona. He sides with Iago in an attempt to win Desdemona’s hand. Roderigo is almost comically gullible, believing anything that Iago tells him. Iago is even able to convince him to kill Cassio when Cassio poses no direct threat to his winning of Desdemona. Roderigo’s trust is ultimately his downfall, as Iago kills him to cover his own tracks.

Brabantio 

Brabantio is a senator of Venice and Desdemona’s father. Although he is initially angry with Othello and Desdemona for eloping, he is willing to listen to their story and reluctantly accepts their marriage. He dies by the end of the play, but this fact is treated trivially, and it is not clear why or how he dies.

Duke of Venice

The duke of Venice appears only in the final scene of act 1. He relies on Othello for military advice and allows Othello to defend himself against charges of seducing Brabantio’s daughter. In the short time that he is on stage, he appears to be a just ruler.

Montano

Montano is the governor of Cyprus. Cassio, in a drunken stupor, attacks Montano, and Montano serves as the primary political pressure that Othello faces in demoting Cassio.

Lodovico

Lodovico is one of Brabantio’s kinsmen. He serves as a kind of objective or detached viewer, noting how cruelly Othello acts toward Desdemona in act 4. At the end of the play, he offers to spread the tale of Othello.

Gratiano

Gratiano is another of Brabantio’s kinsmen. He helps to maintain order as the play ends, guarding Othello's door in the final scene and letting readers know that Brabantio has died.

Clown

The clown only appears briefly in the play, offering some comic relief via clever wordplay. He makes fun of a number of the other characters, and, in alignment with the theme of the play, some of his wordplay relies on the homonym of “lie” (to recline) and “lie” (to tell a falsity).

Herald

The herald appears only in act 2, scene 2, and announces that Othello is throwing a feast.

Expert Q&A

Compare and contrast Desdemona and Emilia in Othello.

Desdemona is Othello's wife, a well-educated and demure noblewoman. Emilia is, by contrast, a middle-class woman who has not received as much education. She is also very outspoken. Both women are devoted to their husbands, almost to a fault, but are trapped in marriages that are not as loving as they once hoped. They are oppressed under the social constraints for women present in their time.

In Othello, how do Iago's and Roderigo's speaking styles towards Brabantio contrast?

Iago and Roderigo's speaking styles towards Brabantio in "Othello" are contrasting. Roderigo addresses Brabantio with respect, using titles like "Signior" and attempting to calm him with familiar language. Conversely, Iago uses coarse and alarmist language, yelling "thieves" and employing crude imagery to provoke Brabantio. Iago's approach is direct and disrespectful, as he does not feel the need to make a good impression, unlike Roderigo, who tries to placate Brabantio.

What is the significance of Bianca's character in Othello?

Bianca's significance in Othello lies in her role as Cassio's mistress, which is exploited by the conspirators to undermine Cassio's character and credibility. Despite Cassio's secret affair with her, he does not respect Bianca. Iago manipulates the situation to make Othello believe Cassio is involved with Desdemona, ultimately using Bianca to further his deceit and attempt to assassinate Cassio.

How are Othello and Desdemona alike and different?

Othello and Desdemona share a deep love and are both outsiders in Venetian society—Othello as a Moor and warrior, and Desdemona for defying her father. However, they differ significantly in confidence and power. Desdemona is self-assured but lacks power, becoming isolated when her relationship with Othello sours. Othello, though powerful, is plagued by doubt, making him susceptible to Iago's manipulation, which leads to his jealousy and ultimately Desdemona's tragic death.

How does Emilia contrast with Bianca in Othello?

Emilia and Bianca in Othello serve as contrasting characters, or foils, to highlight differences in loyalty and chastity. Both women contribute to Othello's jealousy and Desdemona's downfall and are mistreated by the men in their lives. Emilia remains loyal and chaste towards her husband and Desdemona, while Bianca, a courtesan, lacks these traits. Additionally, Emilia's cynical realism contrasts with Desdemona's naive innocence, further emphasizing their differences.

How are Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca portrayed in Othello?

In Othello, Desdemona is portrayed as a loving and loyal wife, defying societal norms by marrying Othello, a black man, showing her spirited nature. Emilia is more conventional, initially loyal to her husband Iago, but bravely opposes him upon learning his true nature. Bianca, a courtesan, exists outside societal norms, allowing her greater freedom and emotional expression. Unlike Desdemona, she asserts herself forcefully in relationships due to her outsider status.

Describe the relationship between Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio in Othello.

The relationship between Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio is complex and tragic. Othello and Desdemona share a passionate love, but societal pressures and Othello's insecurities undermine it. Cassio respects Othello and is merely friends with Desdemona, who remains loyal to her husband. However, Iago manipulates Othello into believing Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair, exploiting Othello's insecurities and leading to the tragic murder of Desdemona by Othello in a jealous rage.

What happens between Othello and Cassio during the play?

Othello and Cassio's relationship is initially strong, but it deteriorates due to Iago's manipulations. Othello appoints Cassio as his lieutenant, angering Iago. In Cyprus, Iago exploits Cassio by getting him drunk, leading to a brawl and his demotion by Othello. Cassio seeks Desdemona's help to regain Othello's favor, fueling Othello's jealousy. Iago falsely implicates Cassio in an affair with Desdemona, prompting Othello to plan their deaths. Ultimately, Othello realizes Iago's deceit and reconciles with Cassio.

What is the Duke's role in Shakespeare's Othello?

The Duke is a powerful figure who summons Othello and Brabantio. He has an authoritative personality and seems well respected by others in the play. His judgment is considered sound – a fact that makes his eventual advice to Brabantio about the marriage worthy of respect. He immediately shows respect to Othello as soon as Othello approaches him; he thus exemplifies the kind of attitude toward Othello that seems to be common in Venice. He immediately seems to show sympathy toward Brabantio, especially when he assumes that Desdemona may be dead. He thus demonstrates a capacity for compassion – an important fact in view of his later judgment of Othello.

How do minor characters in Othello advance the plot through their actions?

In Othello, minor characters like Roderigo, Cassio, and Emilia significantly advance the plot through their actions. Roderigo's gullibility, Cassio's manipulation by Iago, and Emilia's unwitting role in the handkerchief plot all contribute to the unfolding tragedy. Their interactions with Iago help create the "ocular proof" that convinces Othello of Desdemona's infidelity. These characters, though minor, are crucial in driving the narrative towards its tragic conclusion.

What is Montano's view of Othello?

Montano holds Othello in high esteem, despite being replaced by him as governor of Cyprus. He respects Othello's superior military record and remains loyal, expressing admiration and concern for Othello's well-being. Montano supports Cassio's toast to Othello and is unaware of Iago's schemes against them. His loyalty is evident as he suggests addressing any concerns about Cassio directly to Othello. Montano's allegiance will be manipulated by Iago.

How do Emilia and Desdemona compare as wives to their husbands in Othello?

The two women have a common bond in their loyalty to their husbands, but they differ greatly in their way of achieving this. Desdemona blindly and unquestioningly obeys and supports Othello. Emilia on the other hand is more pragmatic and considers the best means of assisting her husband in his rise to power.

Are there any similarities between Cassio and Roderigo in Othello?

Cassio and Roderigo in Othello share similarities in their manipulation by Iago, who exploits their weaknesses and passions for Desdemona. Both characters are naive, unaware of Iago's true intentions, and are pawns in his schemes. They are also members of the social elite, which fuels Iago's resentment. Additionally, their attraction to Desdemona is crucial to Iago's plans, as he uses this to incite Othello's jealousy and orchestrate his downfall.

How does militarism affect characters in Othello?

Militarism in "Othello" affects characters by creating a hierarchy based on rank and respect. Othello, a black man, gains respect as a powerful military leader, which impacts societal dynamics. Iago, seeking advancement, is angered when Othello promotes Cassio over him, sparking Iago's schemes. He manipulates military strategies and uses jealousy to create division between Othello and Cassio, ultimately leading to the tragic events of the play.

Considering the play's characters and their fates, was Shakespeare ahead of his time regarding racial and gender ideals? Who is your favorite character and why?

In Othello, Shakespeare's characters are ahead of their time with regard to race and gender. There is a great deal of complexity in both Desdemona and Othello. Emilia, too, demonstrates courage as she tells the truth about Iago's plot.

The significance and role of the clown in Othello

The clown in Othello serves as comic relief, providing a stark contrast to the play's darker themes. His witty remarks and humorous interactions offer audiences a brief respite from the intense drama, while also highlighting the absurdity and folly of certain characters and situations.

How are Emilia and Desdemona victims of prejudice in Othello?

In Othello, Emilia and Desdemona are victims of prejudice through both racism and misogyny. Despite Desdemona's lack of overt racism, Emilia's comments reveal racial bias, especially after Desdemona's murder. Both women endure misogyny, with Iago planting sexist ideas in Othello's mind and openly mocking Emilia. Iago's and Othello's actions culminate in the murders of their wives, driven by sexist stereotypes and manipulation, illustrating the destructive power of prejudice.

Are characters in Othello (Othello, Desdemona, Brabantio, Roderigo, and Emilia) fools?

The characters in Othello exhibit foolishness driven by strong emotions rather than being traditional Shakespearean fools. Othello is misled by jealousy and misplaced trust in Iago. Desdemona's love for Othello blinds her to his destructive behavior. Brabantio's racial prejudice clouds his judgment. Roderigo is manipulated by Iago due to his infatuation with Desdemona. Emilia, despite her strength, is initially complicit in Iago's schemes out of love for him.

Contrast between Othello and Iago in Shakespeare's Othello

Othello is noble, trusting, and honorable, while Iago is deceitful, manipulative, and driven by jealousy. Othello's openness and integrity stand in stark contrast to Iago's cunning and duplicity, highlighting the themes of trust and betrayal in the play.

Show another question (8 questions hidden)

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Next

Othello

Loading...