Far from being comic relief, Roderigo is actually a disturbing character who
contributes significantly to the tragic outcomes. To what extent do you agree
with this view?
Shakespeare presents Roderigo as a disturbing character subtly through the beginning. In
Act 1 scene 1, the play begins in medias-res revealing a quarrel between Iago and Roderigo.
Roderigo, a lovesick fool who deeply desires Desdemona, expresses his hatred for Othello.
His disturbingly racist language “what full fortune does the thick lips owe” explicitly
characterises him as a despicable character whose personal prejudices allow him to adopt
racist slurs against Othello. He assists Iago with instigating Brabantio and accompanies
Brabantio in Act 1 scene 2, when confronting Othello, which reflects his willingness to take
drastic measures in order to obtain a love he’ll never gain, thus acting as a disturbingly
complicit character.
In Act 1 Scene 3, after the tensions between Brabantio and Othello and the political
discussion of War with the Turks, Roderigo serves to provide comedic relief. He confides in
Iago and feeling submerged in his defeat declares, “I will incontinently drown myself”. This
presents him as a feeble, lovesick fool who pathetically complains almost acting childish and
naïve. The audience would react to this as a comedic interlude whereby Roderigo is simply a
helpless, gullible man who isn’t able to take any action of his own. Further comedic relief is
assisted by Iago’s selfish, repetitive orders “fill thy purse” to which Roderigo states “I’ll sell all
my land” reflecting how easily swayed and gullible he is and establishing him as a comic
character.
Throughout Act 2, after being convinced by Iago to “find some occasion to anger Cassio”,
Roderigo is easily led, and in the drunken brawl scene of Act 2 Scene 3, his fight with Cassio
significantly contributes to the tragedy through essentially causing the demotion of Cassio
and consequently Iago’s instatement “thou art my lieutenant” in Act 3. It is clearly
Roderigo’s complicit actions which serve to align himself as disturbing as he consistently
supports the downfall of other characters through his willing support for Iago.
However, once again in Act 2 Scene 3 he is also presented as comedic relief in that he
pathetically returns to Iago after being beaten up and once again complains his case. This
time unwilling to get off stage and pathetically lingering around Iago, which clearly reflects
his comedic character.
In Act 4, Roderigo once again returns to Iago with his justful complaints declaring that Iago’s
words and actions “are no kin” and here the audience perhaps pity Roderigo reflecting how
rather than comic relief or a disturbing nature, he is ultimately a victim. However, the
underlying disturbing nature is perhaps revealed through the fact that despite Iago’s
dysphemistic language “knock out his brains”, Roderigo eventually agrees and attempts to
contributes significantly to the tragic outcomes. To what extent do you agree
with this view?
Shakespeare presents Roderigo as a disturbing character subtly through the beginning. In
Act 1 scene 1, the play begins in medias-res revealing a quarrel between Iago and Roderigo.
Roderigo, a lovesick fool who deeply desires Desdemona, expresses his hatred for Othello.
His disturbingly racist language “what full fortune does the thick lips owe” explicitly
characterises him as a despicable character whose personal prejudices allow him to adopt
racist slurs against Othello. He assists Iago with instigating Brabantio and accompanies
Brabantio in Act 1 scene 2, when confronting Othello, which reflects his willingness to take
drastic measures in order to obtain a love he’ll never gain, thus acting as a disturbingly
complicit character.
In Act 1 Scene 3, after the tensions between Brabantio and Othello and the political
discussion of War with the Turks, Roderigo serves to provide comedic relief. He confides in
Iago and feeling submerged in his defeat declares, “I will incontinently drown myself”. This
presents him as a feeble, lovesick fool who pathetically complains almost acting childish and
naïve. The audience would react to this as a comedic interlude whereby Roderigo is simply a
helpless, gullible man who isn’t able to take any action of his own. Further comedic relief is
assisted by Iago’s selfish, repetitive orders “fill thy purse” to which Roderigo states “I’ll sell all
my land” reflecting how easily swayed and gullible he is and establishing him as a comic
character.
Throughout Act 2, after being convinced by Iago to “find some occasion to anger Cassio”,
Roderigo is easily led, and in the drunken brawl scene of Act 2 Scene 3, his fight with Cassio
significantly contributes to the tragedy through essentially causing the demotion of Cassio
and consequently Iago’s instatement “thou art my lieutenant” in Act 3. It is clearly
Roderigo’s complicit actions which serve to align himself as disturbing as he consistently
supports the downfall of other characters through his willing support for Iago.
However, once again in Act 2 Scene 3 he is also presented as comedic relief in that he
pathetically returns to Iago after being beaten up and once again complains his case. This
time unwilling to get off stage and pathetically lingering around Iago, which clearly reflects
his comedic character.
In Act 4, Roderigo once again returns to Iago with his justful complaints declaring that Iago’s
words and actions “are no kin” and here the audience perhaps pity Roderigo reflecting how
rather than comic relief or a disturbing nature, he is ultimately a victim. However, the
underlying disturbing nature is perhaps revealed through the fact that despite Iago’s
dysphemistic language “knock out his brains”, Roderigo eventually agrees and attempts to
