OTHELLO
,Character List
,Character List
◦ 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 thos
around him. In spite of his elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to
insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race. 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 (I.iii.381).
◦ Desdemona
The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio. Desdemona and Othello are
secretly married before the play begins. While in many ways stereotypically pure
and meek, Desdemona is also determined and self-possessed. She is equally
capable of defending her marriage, jesting bawdily with Iago, and responding with
dignity to Othello’s incomprehensible jealousy.
, Character List
◦ Iago
Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the villa
of the play. Iago is twenty-eight years old. While his ostensible reason for desiring
Othello’s demise is that he has been passed over for promotion to lieutenant, Iago
motivations are never very clearly expressed and seem to originate in an obsessiv
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, Cassio is extremely
ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place
as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio’s youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemon
to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s fidelity.
,Character List
,Character List
◦ 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 thos
around him. In spite of his elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to
insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race. 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 (I.iii.381).
◦ Desdemona
The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio. Desdemona and Othello are
secretly married before the play begins. While in many ways stereotypically pure
and meek, Desdemona is also determined and self-possessed. She is equally
capable of defending her marriage, jesting bawdily with Iago, and responding with
dignity to Othello’s incomprehensible jealousy.
, Character List
◦ Iago
Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the villa
of the play. Iago is twenty-eight years old. While his ostensible reason for desiring
Othello’s demise is that he has been passed over for promotion to lieutenant, Iago
motivations are never very clearly expressed and seem to originate in an obsessiv
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, Cassio is extremely
ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place
as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio’s youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemon
to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s fidelity.
