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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.