Othello English notes
Characters:
Othello- The play’s protagonist and hero. A Christian Moor and general of the armies of
Venice, Othello is an eloquent and physically powerful figure, respected by all those
around him. He possesses a “free and open nature,” which his ensign Iago uses to twist
his love for his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and destructive jealousy.
Desdemona- The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio. Desdemona and Othello
are secretly married before the play begins.
Iago- Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the
villain of the play. Iago's motivations are never very clearly expressed and seem to
originate in an obsessive, almost aesthetic delight in manipulation and destruction.
Michael Cassio- Othello’s lieutenant. Cassio is a young and inexperienced soldier, whose
high position is much resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello.Iago uses Cassio’s
youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities
about Desdemona’s loyalty.
Emilia- Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. A cynical, worldly woman, she is deeply
attached to her mistress and distrustful of her husband.
Roderigo- A jealous suitor of Desdemona. Young, rich, and foolish, Roderigo is
convinced that if he gives Iago all of his money, Iago will help him win Desdemona’s
hand. Repeatedly frustrated as Othello marries Desdemona and then takes her to
Cyprus, Roderigo is ultimately desperate enough to agree to help Iago kill Cassio after
Iago points out that Cassio is another potential rival for Desdemona.
Barbanzio- Desdemona’s father, a somewhat blustering and self-important Venetian
senator. As a friend of Othello, Brabanzio feels betrayed when the general marries his
daughter in secret.
Themes of Othello
- The Incompatibility of Military Heroism & Love. Before and above all else,
Othello is a soldier. ...
The Danger of Isolation. The action of Othello moves from the metropolis of
Venice to the island of Cyprus. ...
Jealousy. ...
Deception and Treachery. ...
Justice.
Othello summary:
Characters:
Othello- The play’s protagonist and hero. A Christian Moor and general of the armies of
Venice, Othello is an eloquent and physically powerful figure, respected by all those
around him. He possesses a “free and open nature,” which his ensign Iago uses to twist
his love for his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and destructive jealousy.
Desdemona- The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio. Desdemona and Othello
are secretly married before the play begins.
Iago- Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the
villain of the play. Iago's motivations are never very clearly expressed and seem to
originate in an obsessive, almost aesthetic delight in manipulation and destruction.
Michael Cassio- Othello’s lieutenant. Cassio is a young and inexperienced soldier, whose
high position is much resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello.Iago uses Cassio’s
youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities
about Desdemona’s loyalty.
Emilia- Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. A cynical, worldly woman, she is deeply
attached to her mistress and distrustful of her husband.
Roderigo- A jealous suitor of Desdemona. Young, rich, and foolish, Roderigo is
convinced that if he gives Iago all of his money, Iago will help him win Desdemona’s
hand. Repeatedly frustrated as Othello marries Desdemona and then takes her to
Cyprus, Roderigo is ultimately desperate enough to agree to help Iago kill Cassio after
Iago points out that Cassio is another potential rival for Desdemona.
Barbanzio- Desdemona’s father, a somewhat blustering and self-important Venetian
senator. As a friend of Othello, Brabanzio feels betrayed when the general marries his
daughter in secret.
Themes of Othello
- The Incompatibility of Military Heroism & Love. Before and above all else,
Othello is a soldier. ...
The Danger of Isolation. The action of Othello moves from the metropolis of
Venice to the island of Cyprus. ...
Jealousy. ...
Deception and Treachery. ...
Justice.
Othello summary:
