Cassio

Question 1

Courtier

Answer 1

Courtier

Iago’s monologue in Act I,i - despises him for his learning and academic accomplishment. Thinks he is not worthy of his position as he is not a soldier: “mere prattle without practice/ is all his soldiership”. “a great arithmetician […] “a Florentine” - these pejoratively by Iago.

First appearance in Act II, scene i - suggests Iago wrong about his leadership abilities.

But right about his courtliness. A Florentine. His manners may come across as suspicious to an audience as they do to Iago. When noticing Desdemona’s arrival in Cyprus, he exclaims, “O behold,/ the riches of the ship is come on shore!” the hyperbole in this metaphor appears to us extravagant.

Lines 100-101,”‘Tis my breeding/ that gives this bold show of courtesy” [he kisses her] to Emilia overseen by Iago. Is it Iago’s jealousy here that gives him the idea of using Cassio to inflame Othello’s jealousy? The same scene ends in Iago’s soliloquy “For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too”.

But he is diplomatic (in his words about Iago, lines 164-165 “You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar”) - so he is a sympathetic character.

Question 2

Victim

Answer 2

2. A Victim of Iago & Othello

He is unused to drinking and easily lead by Iago. “he’ll be as full of quarrel and offence / as my young mistress’ dog”- simile

He is unfairly judged by an Othello who is too preoccupied with his nuptials to give Cassio a fair trial. “Never more be officer of mine”

Question 3

reputation

Answer 3

3. His weakness is his preoccupation with appearance

His main concern when drunk is that he does not appear so. “You must not think I am drunk” but Montano says he’s drunk. This motivates his attack on Montano which brings his downfall.

This comes across more forcefully in his complaints to Iago - his weakness being his dependence on social appearance - he considers “Reputation, reputation, reputation!” to be “the immortal part of myself” (II, iii 249-250) - how will a Christian audience hear it? The immortal part of the self is the soul for a Christian. This weakness leads to his despair which is then exploited by Iago.

Question 4

Treatment of women

Answer 4

Treatment of women

The way in which he treats Bianca shows a reprehensible view of women – calling her “this bauble” – laughing about her with Iago – “this monkey” – very different from his ostentation in his previous courtly language to Desdemona in Act II, i. Though this is used as a plot device - for Othello to misconstrue

Question 5

Redemption

Answer 5

5. Final Redemption
   He is made governor of Cyprus, has the last words on Othello “he was great of heart”

Question 6

Intro / Conclusion

Answer 6

Shakespeare creates the character to be a plausible source of jealousy for Iago and Othello

To a sophisticated Jacobean audience Cassio begins the play with the exaggerated characteristics of courtier - the archetypal Florentine. These need to burnt off him in order for him to take control of Cyprus at the end of the play.