Othello Characters

Othello

Othello, the eponymous hero of the play, is a Christian Moor and a general in the Venetian army. He is an eloquent, respected noble, who is married to Desdemona, a woman who is much younger than him. Iago, Othello’s evil ensign, plants doubts about Desdemona’s fidelity in Othello’s mind, which results in Othello’s killing of Desdemona and his (Othello’s) suicide.

Desdemona

Desdemona is the daughter of Brabantio and the wife of Othello. She is a virtuous woman who might come across as meek, but is in fact determined, spirited, and intelligent. She is a representation of the generous, considerate, and loving side of Othello.

Michael Cassio

Cassio is Othello’s inexperienced, but suave and loyal Lieutenant. His high rank makes him the subject of Iago’s jealousy and hatred. Taking advantage of Cassio’s friendliness with Desdemona, Iago convinces Othello into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio.

Iago

Iago is Othello’s twenty-eight-year-old ensign, who is considered by many critics to be an embodiment of evil. Needless to say, he is the villain in the play and represents Othello’s selfish and unloving self. He harbors ill will toward Othello because Othello does not promote him to the rank of Lieutenant. He is perceptive, immoral, shrewd, and good at manipulating people.

Brabantio

Brabantio is a Venetian senator and Desdemona’s father. Having learned about young Desdemona’s elopement with the middle-aged Othello, he is shocked and convinced that Othello had bewitched Desdemona. In a thinly veiled reference to Desdemona, he warns Othello that a woman who betrays her father is equally capable of betraying her husband.

Emilia

Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s handmaiden. She is unaware of her husband’s evil intentions and dark qualities, but unwittingly becomes a tool in Iago’s treachery to destroy Othello.

Roderigo

Roderigo is a Venetian who lusts after Desdemona. He is Iago’s puppet, and he naively believes that by helping Iago destroy Othello, he will be able to win Desdemona’s love. Notably, Iago also tasks Roderigo with killing Cassio. When he fails to assassinate Cassio, Iago kills him.

Duke of Venice

He is the ruler of Venice and Othello’s superior. At the beginning of the play, he convenes the council to deliver a verdict on Othello and Desdemona’s elopement. Despite Brabantio’s protest, he absolves the couple of misconduct. He also sends Othello to Cyprus to fight the Turks.

Lodovico

Lodovico is a Venetian noble who is sent to Cyprus to bring Othello back to Venice. He is a witness to Desdemona’s murder at the hands of Othello.

Gratiano

Gratiano is another Venetian noble who accompanies Lodovico to Cyprus.

Venetian Senators

They attend the council after learning about Othello and Desdemona’s elopement and the Turkish invasion.

Montano

Montano is a nobleman of Cyprus. He is wounded by Cassio during a disagreement.

Bianca

She is a courtesan and Cassio’s love interest in Cyprus. Later in the play, Othello would mistake her for Desdemona.

Clown

The clown provides comic relief in the play.

Servants, Attendants, Officers, Messengers, Herald, Musicians, and Torchbearers

They feature in certain scenes, but hold no significance otherwise.