Roderigo and Brabantio

Question 1

How do we know that Roderigo is Shakespeare’s own invention?

Answer 1

There is no corresponding role for Roderigo in Cinthio’s ‘Un Capitano Moro’

Question 2

M. D. Faber and Alan F. Dilnot on Iago’s need for Roderigo

Answer 2

‘the sense of power, of mastery, that Iago obviously derives from gulling Roderigo…is closely connected with Iago’s unconscious misgivings about his own masculinity [and] with the homosexual side of his personality’

i.e. the pleasure Iago derives from playing with Roderigo is linked with fears regarding his own masculinity and homosexuality

Question 3

Estelle W. Taylor on the audience’s reaction to Roderigo

Answer 3

‘we cannot sympathize with the Roderigo, who upon realizing the treachery of Iago, condemns him’

Question 4

Professor John McRae on Roderigo’s comic purpose

Answer 4

Emphasises the importance of Roderigo being played as a comic, love sick fool – he is meant to make the audience laugh

Question 5

Aerol Arnold on Brabantio forcing Desdemona to choose

Answer 5

‘by inventing an action in which Brabantio forces Desdemona to choose Othello publicly, Shakespeare makes clear that Desdemona chose freely and proudly the one who was to kill her’

Question 6

What literary tradition does Brabantio conform to?

Answer 6

Conforms to a literary tradition of fathers whose daughters betray them – Desdemona’s seeming lack of concern regarding her betrayal of her father is one of her essential flaws