Othello characters Flashcards
Othello
Othello, the play’s tragic hero, is a Moorish general in the Venetian army. He is a brave and respected military leader, but his outsider status as a foreigner and a Black man leaves him vulnerable to manipulation. Othello is deeply in love with his wife, Desdemona, but his insecurities and jealousy are exploited by Iago, leading him to doubt her fidelity. His tragic flaw is his susceptibility to jealousy, which ultimately drives him to murder Desdemona and take his own life.
Iago
Iago is Othello’s ensign and the play’s main antagonist. Motivated by jealousy and a desire for revenge, Iago schemes to ruin Othello by convincing him that Desdemona is unfaithful. Iago is highly manipulative, cunning, and amoral, delighting in the chaos he creates. He skillfully manipulates those around him, including Othello, Cassio, and Roderigo, leading to the play’s tragic outcomes. His motivations remain complex and ambiguous.
Desdemona
Desdemona is Othello’s loving and devoted wife. She is portrayed as pure, virtuous, and kind, yet she defies societal expectations by marrying Othello, a Moor, out of genuine love. Despite her innocence, Desdemona becomes a tragic victim of Othello’s misplaced jealousy and Iago’s schemes. Her unwavering loyalty to Othello, even in the face of her death, highlights her tragic innocence.
Cassio
Michael Cassio is Othello’s loyal lieutenant, whose promotion over Iago sparks Iago’s resentment. Cassio is handsome, charming, and well-liked, but he is also somewhat naive. Iago uses Cassio’s close friendship with Desdemona to suggest an affair between them, which fuels Othello’s jealousy. Despite his role in the tragedy, Cassio remains largely innocent and suffers as a pawn in Iago’s plans.
Emilia
Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maid. She is pragmatic and perceptive, yet unaware of her husband’s true nature until the end of the play. Emilia plays a crucial role in uncovering the truth when she reveals that Iago used Desdemona’s handkerchief to deceive Othello. Her loyalty to Desdemona and her sense of justice ultimately lead her to expose Iago, though it costs her life.
Roderigo
Roderigo is a wealthy Venetian who is in love with Desdemona. He is easily manipulated by Iago, who uses him to further his schemes by promising to help him win Desdemona’s affections. Roderigo is naive and desperate, blindly following Iago’s instructions until he is ultimately betrayed and killed by Iago.
