Monday, February 04, 2008
6:58 AM

The story of Othello consists of the four main characters: Othello, Iago, Michael Cassio and Desdemona which each portray a remarkable depth of passion in their own way. The Moor Othello, the gentle Desdemona, the villain Iago and the good-natured Cassio, present a range and variety of character which are both striking as well as conspicuous. Their definate qualities stand out prominantly to the audience.

Othello is the play's protagonist and hero. Othello is the highly respected general of the armies of Venice, although he is not a native of Venice but rather a Moor, or North African. He is an eloquent and powerful figure, respected by all those around him. In spite of his superior status, Othello is all the same easy prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his self-consciousness about being a racial and cultural outsider. He possesses a free and open nature that his ensign Iago exploits to twist Othello's love for his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and vicious jealousy.

Desdemona is the daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio. Desdemona and Othello are secretly married before the play begins. While in some ways stereotypically pure and docile, Desdemona is also determined and self-possessed. Iago also describes her virtues through his speech in Act 2, scene 1, lines 145-155. She is equally capable of defending her marriage, lightheartedly lewd with Iago, and responding with dignity to Othello's inconceivable jealousy.

Othello's ensign (a senior position also known as “ancient”) Iago, a twenty-eight-year-old military veteran from Venice. Iago is the villain of the play. Although he is obsessive, relentless, bold, and ingenius in his efforts to manipulate and deceive the other characters—particularly Othello—Iago's motivations are notoriously dark. At various points in the play, he claims to be motivated by different things: resentment that Othello passed him over for a promotion in favor of Michael Cassio: "I know my price, and I am worth no worse a place" (Act 1, scene 1, line 12) ; jealousy because he heard a rumor that Othello slept with Iago's wife, Emilia; suspicion that Cassio slept with Emilia too. Iago gives the impression that he's tossing out possible motivations as he thinks of them, and that we'll never understand what really drives his villainy.

Michael Cassio is Othello's lieutenant, or second-in-command. Cassio is highly educated but young and inexperienced in battle: "...that never set a squadron in the field, nor the devision of a battle knows..." (Act 1, scene 1, line 22-23) stated by Iago. Iago resents Cassio's high position and dismisses him as a bookkeeper. Truly devoted to Othello, Cassio is ashamed after being implicated in a drunken fight on Cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio's youth, good looks, and flirtatious manner with women to play on Othello's insecurities about Desdemona's fidelity.

Othello, Desdemona, Iago and Cassio, characters of Othello intermingle to create an intense and contrasting story. Each character, the protagonist, lady, villian and comrade, although dominant on their own, play off one another to complete the story. These characters are definately well developed and unique.

Labels: English, Othello, Shakespeare

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