THE CHARACTER OF CASSIO
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF CASSIO
The Reputable Scholar:
• In Shakespeare’s time, Florence was associated with intellect, progress, and the Renaissance,
so introducing Cassio as a ‘Florentine’ goes a long way to telling his audience what to think of
him. Cassio uses his education as a crutch, giving himself a sense of superiority: for instance,
he says of Iago, ‘You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar,’ (A2S1).
The dishonest knave:
• Shakespeare shows that Cassio is not so generous with his honour towards all women,
however. He leads on Bianca, a local courtesan, calling her ‘sweet love’ (A3S4) to her face
though Iago notes, ‘He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain from the excess of
laughter,’ (A4S1). While Cassio refused to sexualise or demean Desdemona, he is happy to call
Bianca a ‘customer’ who ‘haunts [him] in every place,’ (A4S1). This reveals his duplicitous nature
and his misogynistic views. He gladly takes advantage of Bianca for his own pleasure and
clearly doesn’t value her as a fellow human being.
RELATIONSHIPS
Othello:
• Othello is the person Cassio respects the most throughout the play. When everything is
descending into chaos at Iago’s hand, Cassio returns like clockwork to inquire about
Desdemona’s success and his reinstatement. He is devastated that he has fallen out of favour
with Othello, and is humiliated because he acted so dishonourably in such a public setting.
Cassio has a strong moral code of honour, and a large part of this revolves around serving his
higher-ups and doing his duty to the state. As such, he is xated on regaining his title and
winning Othello’s love. This commitment conveys the importance of homosocial relations in
patriarchal societies, particularly in a patriarchal institution such as the military.
Iago:
• When the play opens, Cassio has managed to o end Iago simply by existing. He represents
everything Iago hates, namely elitism, favouritism, and success with women. Consequently, Iago
decides to use all these things against him: for example, he takes advantage of Cassio’s
charismatic, suave persona when convincing Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to
him.
Desdemona:
• Cassio admires Desdemona, thinks she is beautiful, and most importantly, respects her as a
reputable member of the upper classes. We can’t know for certain if he loves her, though Iago
seems to think he does. Shakespeare plays on this ambiguity, welcoming speculation and
gossip about their relationship. The audience can’t help but wonder if Iago is right; in a way, this
makes us complicit in Iago’s plans and in Othello’s gullible vengeance.
Bianca:
• There is a power imbalance in their relationship, due partly to class, partly to gender, and partly
to unreciprocated feelings. Cassio’s relationship to Bianca gives Shakespeare the opportunity to
display Cassio’s more unlikeable characteristics, such as his dismissive cruelty and duplicitous
nature.
KEY THEMES
Misogyny:
• Cassio, like all of the other male characters in the text, is used by Shakespeare to reinforce the
patriarchal culture within which the play is set. If the misogynistic view of women we see
portrayed were only voiced by one character in isolation, the e ect wouldn’t be as great as
having this perspective come from all sides. However, by having background or minor
characters such as Cassio bring up these same ideals in casual conversation, Shakespeare is
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KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF CASSIO
The Reputable Scholar:
• In Shakespeare’s time, Florence was associated with intellect, progress, and the Renaissance,
so introducing Cassio as a ‘Florentine’ goes a long way to telling his audience what to think of
him. Cassio uses his education as a crutch, giving himself a sense of superiority: for instance,
he says of Iago, ‘You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar,’ (A2S1).
The dishonest knave:
• Shakespeare shows that Cassio is not so generous with his honour towards all women,
however. He leads on Bianca, a local courtesan, calling her ‘sweet love’ (A3S4) to her face
though Iago notes, ‘He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain from the excess of
laughter,’ (A4S1). While Cassio refused to sexualise or demean Desdemona, he is happy to call
Bianca a ‘customer’ who ‘haunts [him] in every place,’ (A4S1). This reveals his duplicitous nature
and his misogynistic views. He gladly takes advantage of Bianca for his own pleasure and
clearly doesn’t value her as a fellow human being.
RELATIONSHIPS
Othello:
• Othello is the person Cassio respects the most throughout the play. When everything is
descending into chaos at Iago’s hand, Cassio returns like clockwork to inquire about
Desdemona’s success and his reinstatement. He is devastated that he has fallen out of favour
with Othello, and is humiliated because he acted so dishonourably in such a public setting.
Cassio has a strong moral code of honour, and a large part of this revolves around serving his
higher-ups and doing his duty to the state. As such, he is xated on regaining his title and
winning Othello’s love. This commitment conveys the importance of homosocial relations in
patriarchal societies, particularly in a patriarchal institution such as the military.
Iago:
• When the play opens, Cassio has managed to o end Iago simply by existing. He represents
everything Iago hates, namely elitism, favouritism, and success with women. Consequently, Iago
decides to use all these things against him: for example, he takes advantage of Cassio’s
charismatic, suave persona when convincing Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to
him.
Desdemona:
• Cassio admires Desdemona, thinks she is beautiful, and most importantly, respects her as a
reputable member of the upper classes. We can’t know for certain if he loves her, though Iago
seems to think he does. Shakespeare plays on this ambiguity, welcoming speculation and
gossip about their relationship. The audience can’t help but wonder if Iago is right; in a way, this
makes us complicit in Iago’s plans and in Othello’s gullible vengeance.
Bianca:
• There is a power imbalance in their relationship, due partly to class, partly to gender, and partly
to unreciprocated feelings. Cassio’s relationship to Bianca gives Shakespeare the opportunity to
display Cassio’s more unlikeable characteristics, such as his dismissive cruelty and duplicitous
nature.
KEY THEMES
Misogyny:
• Cassio, like all of the other male characters in the text, is used by Shakespeare to reinforce the
patriarchal culture within which the play is set. If the misogynistic view of women we see
portrayed were only voiced by one character in isolation, the e ect wouldn’t be as great as
having this perspective come from all sides. However, by having background or minor
characters such as Cassio bring up these same ideals in casual conversation, Shakespeare is
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