Characters in Othello

Anna HowardEDRD 651

June 18th 2010

List of Characters in Othello

• Major Characters– Othello– Desdemona– Iago– Michael Cassio

• Minor Characters– Emilia– Roderigo– Bianca– Brabazio– Duke of Venice– Montano– Ludovico– Graziano– Clown

Othello• General of the armies

of Venice• A Christian Moor• Has insecurities

stemming from his age and his race.

• Marries

Desdemona• Othello’s young wife.• Daughter of Brabantio• Marries Othello without

her father’s consent.

Iago• Iago resents Othello believing

that he should have been made lieutenant rather than Cassio.

• Harbors a great deal of jealousy towards Cassio.

• Sets out to get revenge on the other characters because he has been passed over for the promotion.– Does the play fully explore

Iago’s reason’s for ruining so many lives?

Michael Cassio• Othello’s Lieutenant.

– Cassio is very loyal to Othello and Venice

• Young and inexperienced he is given the position because of his tactical intelligence.

• He is a friend of Desdemona– Iago uses their friendship

to make Othello jealous of Cassio so that he will get rid of him.

Emilia

• Iago’s wife–Despite this Emilia is very distrusting of

Iago though she typically does as he commands her.

• Desdemona’s attendant and friend–She worries about Desdemona’s

decision to accompany her husband.

Roderigo

• A former suitor of Desdemona–He is frustrated by her marriage to Othello

• Used by Iago–He frequently gives Iago money and other

favors to try and drive a wedge between Othello and Desdemona.–Eventually is convinced to kill Cassio who

he sees as a rival for Desdemona’s affection.

Bianca

• A prostitute in Cyprus• Her favorite customer is Cassio• He teases her with offers of

marriage.

Brabanzio

• Father of Desdemona• A Venetian Senator• Formerly a good friend of

Othello.–He disagrees with her marriage to

Othello

Duke of Venice

• Official authority in Venice• Has great respect for Othello• Sends Othello to Cyprus as

governor.

Montano

• Former governor of Cyprus before Othello

• Recounts the war and it’s effects for the audience.

Lodovico

• One of Brabanzio’s kinsmen.• He acts as a messenger between

Venice and Cyprus.–Brings the letter stating that

Othello has been replaced by Cassio as governor.

Graziano

• Another of Brabanzio’s kinsmen• Accompanies Lodovico• Informs the audience of

Brabanzio’s death.

Clown

• Othello’s servant• Serves as comic relief• Also plays with words important

to the play especially the word “Lie”.