Back to: Othello by William Shakespeare
Table of Contents
Cassio
Cassio is a character to be loved in the fashion of Desdemona. He is shown in a very light manner and fits the typical notion of any handsome and good-natured military personnel.
Othello calls him not Cassio but by his Christian name which shows how truly fond of him he truly is. He is adored by Desdemona who must be aware of his goodness.
The fact that he goes to a woman like Bianca without any thought about her reputation shows how clear and true he is regarding how he looks like to others.
In the play, one can notice how he slips into the trap of Iago due to his simple-mindedness. His first offence of being drunk immodestly under Iago’s influence takes away his official position and the second time he almost comes near his death.
When he loses his title, he shows his distress over this loss of reputation so honestly. Even to the end, after the whole tragedy unfolds, he keeps no grudges against Othello and respects him which shows how truly his character recognised Othello’s nobility.
Emilia
Emilia’s character is drawn in such a way that she truly shows any average woman with a common character with wisdom earned traditionally. Her idea of chastity doesn’t match the idea of Desdemona who is unbelievably angelic.
When Desdemona questions her about her idea of committing such a sin of which Desdemona is being accused of, she answers that, “I would not do such a thing for a joint ring, nor…but, for the whole world, why, who wouldn’t make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch?”
The way she gives away the handkerchief which later becomes the chief weapon of her husband in planting jealousy firmly in Othello’s mind shows us how thoughtless she is that she can’t perceive the cause behind his madness.
Her character is a mix of loose average principles and energetic spirit which tries to bring joy and ease without much deeper contemplation.
Cassio
Cassio is a character to be loved in the fashion of Desdemona. He is shown in a very light manner and fits the typical notion of any handsome and good-natured military personnel.
Othello calls him not Cassio but by his Christian name which shows how truly fond of him he truly is. He is adored by Desdemona who must be aware of his goodness.
The fact that he goes to a woman like Bianca without any thought about her reputation shows how clear and true he is regarding how he looks like to others. In the play, one can notice how he slips into the trap of Iago due to his simple-mindedness.
His first offence of being drunk immodestly under Iago’s influence takes away his official position and the second time he almost comes near his death. When he loses his title, he shows his distress over this loss of reputation so honestly.
Even to the end, after the whole tragedy unfolds, he keeps no grudges against Othello and respects him which shows how truly his character recognised Othello’s nobility.
Emilia
Emilia’s character is drawn in such a way that she truly shows any average woman with a common character with wisdom earned traditionally. Her idea of chastity doesn’t match the idea of Desdemona who is unbelievably angelic.
When Desdemona questions her about her idea of committing such a sin of which Desdemona is being accused of, she answers that, “I would not do such a thing for a joint ring, nor…but, for the whole world, why, who wouldn’t make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch?”
The way she gives away the handkerchief which later becomes the chief weapon of her husband in planting jealousy firmly in Othello’s mind shows us how thoughtless she is that she can’t perceive the cause behind his madness.
Her character is a mix of loose average principles and energetic spirit which tries to bring joy and ease without much deeper contemplation.
Duke of Venice
Duke of Venice is shown in the beginning part of the play as someone who can judge the true worth of an individual. It is shown clearly in the way he has invested his faith in someone like Othello who at the very same time is prejudiced as a Moor by the likes of Brabantio, Iago and Roderigo.
When Brabantio, who is, in fact, a senator, brings to his court the matter of Othello and his daughter Desdemona, the Duke of Venice isn’t easily lured into his misjudgement, rather he investigates to know the truth of their relationship in details and the judgement he rules out shows his ruling wisdom.
As a wise ruler, he knows his subjects very well and in an efficient manner, he employs Othello successfully to combat the invasion by the Turkish fleet.
Lodovico
Lodovico is the cousin of Desdemona. In the play, his character is used to give us an idea of how Othello really is and his social perception by the ruling courtiers. He works as a diplomat too in the kingdom of Venice.
He knows Othello from the very beginning as a man of composure and grace but arriving in Cyprus, he witnesses Desdemona being hurt by Othello which makes him question the true quality of Othello.
As a character, he is sketched in a way so that he can report in a neutral fashion about the tragic incidents he witnessed in Cyprus. His character isn’t created deeply because he serves as a witness only.
