Characters

Question 1

Othello

Answer 1

• The plays protagonist and hero.
• A Christian Moor and general of the armies of Venice
• Respected by all

Question 2

Iago

Answer 2

• Othello’s ensign
• Villain of the play
• Been passed over for promotion to lieutenant
• Motivations are never very clearly expressed and seem to originate in an obsessive manipulation and destruction.

Question 3

Desdemona

Answer 3

• Daughter of Venetian senator Brabantio.
• Stereotypically pure and meek however also determined and self possessed.

Question 4

Emilia

Answer 4

• Iago’s wife
• Desdemona’s attendant
• Cynical, worldly woman
• Distrustful of her husband

Question 5

Cassio

Answer 5

• Othello’s lieutenant
• Young and inexperienced soldier
• Resented by Iago
• His friendship with Desdemona is used by Iago to play on Othello’s insecurities.

Question 6

Rodreigo

Answer 6

• Jealous suitor of Desdemona
• Young, rich and foolish
• Convinced Iago will help him win Desdemona’s hand.
• Roderigo is desperate enough to help kill Cassio as he believes he may be a suitor of Desdemona’s.

Question 7

Bianca

Answer 7

• Prostitute
• In a ‘fling’ with Cassio

Question 8

Duke of Venice

Answer 8

• Official authority in Venice
• Great respect for Othello
• Reconciles Othello and Brabantio in act 1 scene 3
• Sends Othello to Cyprus

Question 9

Brabantio

Answer 9

• Desdemona’s father
• Self - important Venetian senator
• Feels betrayed by the marriage of Othello and Desdemona

Question 10

Montano

Answer 10

• Governor of Cyprus before Othello
• Recounts the status of the war and awaits the Venetian ships.

Question 11

Lodovico

Answer 11

• One of Brabantio’s kinsmen
• Acts as a messenger from Venice to Cyprus
• Announces in act 4 Othello has been replaced by Cassio as governor

Question 12

Gratiano

Answer 12

• Brabantio kinsman
• Accompanies Lodovico to Cyprus
• Amongst the chaos of the last scene mentions that Brabantio has died.