Character Analysis

Othello

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Elopement with Desdemona (Act 1, Scene 1): Othello and Desdemona's secret marriage becomes a central conflict when her father, Brabantio, accuses Othello of using witchcraft to win her love.
• Promotion of Cassio (Act 1, Scene 1)****: Othello's decision to promote Cassio over Iago sparks Iago's plot against him.
• Manipulation by Iago (Act 3, Scene 3): Iago plants seeds of doubt in Othello's mind about Desdemona's fidelity, leading to Othello's growing jealousy.
• Murder of Desdemona (Act 5, Scene 2): Consumed by jealousy and believing Desdemona unfaithful, Othello kills her, only to realize too late that he has been deceived by Iago.
• Othello's Suicide (Act 5, Scene 2): After discovering the truth, Othello takes his own life in remorse.

Key Themes

• Jealousy**:** Othello's descent into jealousy, spurred by Iago's manipulation, highlights the destructive power of this emotion.
• Race and Prejudice**:** Othello's status as a Moor in a predominantly white society exposes the racial prejudices of the characters around him and his own internalized insecurities.
• Honour and Reputation**:** Othello's concern for his honour and reputation is a driving force behind his actions, leading to both his greatness and his downfall.
• Manipulation and Deception**:** Iago's ability to manipulate Othello underscores themes of appearance versus reality and the ease with which truth can be obscured by lies.

Key Quotes

"My parts, my title, and my perfect soul / Shall manifest me rightly." (Act 1, Scene 2)

• Othello expresses confidence in his honour and integrity, believing that his true nature will protect him from Brabantio's accusations.
• This quote underscores Othello's initial sense of self-worth and foreshadows the tragic unravelling of his confidence under Iago's manipulation.

"She loved me for the dangers I had passed, / And I loved her that she did pity them." (Act 1, Scene 3)

• Othello explains how his and Desdemona's love grew from his tales of adventure and her sympathy for his hardships.
• This illustrates the deep, albeit fragile, connection between Othello and Desdemona, highlighting themes of love and storytelling.

"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on." (Act 3, Scene 3)

• Iago warns Othello about the dangers of jealousy while secretly fuelling it.
• This metaphor illustrates the insidious and self-destructive nature of jealousy, central to Othello's tragic flaw.

"Put out the light, and then put out the light." (Act 5, Scene 2)

• Othello contemplates the finality of killing Desdemona, comparing her life to a candle's flame.
• This quote captures the irreversible nature of Othello's actions and the tragic realization of his mistake.

Iago

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Inciting Roderigo (Act 1, Scene 1): Iago manipulates Roderigo, convincing him to oppose Othello and exploit his desire for Desdemona.
• Planting Seeds of Doubt (Act 3, Scene 3): Iago subtly suggests to Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful, beginning to poison Othello's mind.
• Obtaining the Handkerchief (Act 3, Scene 3): Iago uses Emilia to steal Desdemona's handkerchief, a pivotal prop in his scheme to frame Desdemona and Cassio.
• Orchestrating Cassio's Demotion (Act 2, Scene 3): Iago gets Cassio drunk, leading to a brawl that results in Cassio's demotion, further advancing his plan.
• The Tragic Finale (Act 5, Scene 2): Iago's schemes are revealed, leading to the tragic deaths of Desdemona, Othello, and Emilia, though Iago himself remains largely unrepentant.

Key Themes

• Deception and Manipulation**:** Iago's actions throughout the play highlight the destructive power of deceit and manipulation.
• Jealousy**:** His manipulation of Othello's jealousy drives the play's tragic outcomes, showing how easily trust can be corrupted.
• Appearance vs. Reality**:** Iago embodies this theme, as he hides his true intentions behind a facade of honesty and loyalty.
• Evil and Malice: Iago's character explores the nature of evil, as he causes immense suffering purely for his satisfaction and gain.

Key Quotes

"I am not what I am." (Act 1, Scene 1)

• Iago reveals his duplicitous nature, indicating that his outward appearance does not reflect his true intentions.
• This quote underscores the theme of appearance versus reality and foreshadows the deceitful actions Iago will undertake.

"The Moor is of a free and open nature, / That thinks men honest that but seem to be so; / And will as tenderly be led by th' nose / As asses are." (Act 1, Scene 3)

• Iago comments on Othello's trusting nature, indicating how easy it will be to manipulate him.
• This reveals Iago's contempt for Othello's integrity and foreshadows how he will exploit Othello's vulnerability.

"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on." (Act 3, Scene 3)

• lago warns Othello about the dangers of jealousy while simultaneously stoking it.
• The quote is ironic, as Iago himself embodies the destructive power of jealousy, using it as a tool to manipulate Othello.

"Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. / From this time forth I never will speak word." (Act 5, Scene 2)

• After being exposed, Iago refuses to explain his motives or justify his actions.
• This highlights the inscrutable nature of his evil, leaving his motivations ambiguous and emphasizing his malicious character.

Desdemona

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Elopement with Othello (Act 1, Scene 1)****: Desdemona defies social norms and her father's wishes by secretly marrying Othello, a Moor and a respected general.
• Defence of Her Marriage (Act 1, Scene 3): When confronted by her father and the Duke, Desdemona eloquently defends her love and marriage to Othello, highlighting her loyalty and commitment.
• Interceding for Cassio (Act 3, Scene 3)****: Desdemona pleads with Othello to reinstate Cassio, which Iago uses to plant seeds of doubt about her fidelity in Othello's mind.
• Final Plea for Mercy (Act 5, Scene 2): Despite Othello's accusations and intentions to kill her, Desdemona remains loyal, asserting her innocence and pleading for her life until her final breath.

Key Themes

• Innocence and Purity: Desdemona embodies innocence and purity, which starkly contrasts with the deceit and corruption that surround her.
• Loyalty and Devotion**:** Her unwavering loyalty to Othello, even in the face of false accusations and imminent death, highlights her steadfast devotion.
• Victim of Manipulation: Desdemona's tragic fate underscores the destructive power of manipulation and jealousy, as she becomes an innocent victim of Iago's schemes.
• Gender Roles and Power**:** Desdemona's character explores the limitations and expectations placed on women, emphasizing the societal constraints and vulnerabilities they face.

Key Quotes

"My noble father, / I do perceive here a divided duty." (Act 1, Scene 3)

• Desdemona addresses her father, explaining her shift of loyalty from him to her husband, Othello.
• This quote highlights Desdemona's understanding of her duty and her balanced approach to familial and marital obligations, reflecting her integrity and strength.

"That I did love the Moor to live with him, / My downright violence and storm of fortunes / May trumpet to the world." (Act 1, Scene 3)

• Desdemona declares her love and commitment to Othello, emphasizing that her actions speak for her genuine affection.
• This quote illustrates Desdemona's assertiveness and willingness to defy societal expectations for love, showing her courageous and independent spirit.

"I am not merry, but I do beguile / The thing I am by seeming otherwise." (Act 2, Scene 1)

• Desdemona admits that her outward cheerfulness hides her true feelings, as she tries to maintain harmony amidst growing tensions.
• This quote reveals Desdemona's inner conflict and her effort to maintain peace, reflecting the theme of appearance versus reality.

"His unkindness may defeat my life, / But never taint my love." (Act 4, Scene 2)

• Desdemona expresses her unwavering love for Othello, even in the face of his cruelty and false accusations.
• This quote underscores Desdemona's steadfast devotion and tragic innocence, highlighting the depth of her loyalty and love.

Michael Cassio

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Promotion to Lieutenant (Act 1, Scene 1): Othello's promotion of Cassio over Iago fuels Iago's resentment and sets the stage for the ensuing conflict.
• Drunken Brawl (Act 2, Scene 3): Cassio's involvement in a brawl while drunk leads to his demotion, orchestrated by Iago to tarnish his reputation and position.
• Appeal to Desdemona (Act 3, Scene 3): Cassio seeks Desdemona's help to restore his position, unknowingly becoming a pawn in Iago's scheme to incite Othello's jealousy.
• Receiving the Handkerchief (Act 3, Scene 4): Cassio finds Desdemona's handkerchief planted by Iago, which serves as false evidence of his affair with Desdemona.
• Surviving Iago's Attack (Act 5, Scene 1): Cassio is attacked by Iago but survives, ultimately leading to the exposure of Iago's treachery.

Key Themes

• Honour and Reputation: Cassio's concern for his reputation and honour is evident throughout the play, and his fall from grace deeply affects him.
• Manipulation and Deception: Cassio becomes an unwitting victim of Iago's manipulative schemes, highlighting the theme of deceit and its consequences.
• Loyalty: Despite his misfortunes, Cassio remains loyal to Othello and Desdemona, exemplifying the theme of loyalty amidst betrayal.
• Innocence and Naivety: Cassio's trusting nature and inability to perceive Iago's malice illustrate the vulnerability of innocence in a corrupt world.

Key Quotes

"Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial." (Act 2, Scene 3)

• Cassio laments his loss of reputation following the drunken brawl, equating his honour with his humanity.
• This quote underscores the theme of reputation and its importance in defining one's identity and social standing.

"I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me." (Act 2, Scene 3)

• Cassio plans to seek Desdemona's help in restoring his position, demonstrating his trust in her virtue and influence.
• This quote highlights Cassio's respect for Desdemona and his reliance on her goodness, setting the stage for Iago's manipulation.

"I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking." (Act 2, Scene 3)

• Cassio admits his weakness for alcohol, which leads to his downfall in the brawl.
• This quote illustrates Cassio's self-awareness and foreshadows his vulnerability to Iago's schemes.

"That handkerchief / Did an Egyptian to my mother give." (Act 3, Scene 4)

• Cassio unknowingly comes into possession of Desdemona's handkerchief, a crucial piece of evidence in Iago's plot.
• This moment highlights the theme of appearance versus reality, as the handkerchief is used to create false evidence of infidelity.

Brabantio

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Brabantio believes Desdemona has been bewitched (Act 1, Scene 1): Brabantio is awakened by Iago and Roderigo, who inform him of Desdemona's elopement with Othello. Shocked and enraged, Brabantio believes his daughter has been bewitched.
• Brabantio confronts Othello (Act 1, Scene 2): Brabantio confronts Othello, accusing him of using magic to seduce Desdemona and insists on taking the matter to the Duke.
• Brabantio disowns Desdemona (Act 1, Scene 3): In the Duke's court, Brabantio formally accuses Othello of witchcraft. When Desdemona confirms her love for Othello, Brabantio disowns her, expressing his sorrow and foretelling that she will betray Othello too.

Key Themes

• Racial Prejudice**:** Brabantio's accusations against Othello stem from deep-seated racial prejudices, reflecting societal views of interracial marriages as unnatural and unacceptable.
• Patriarchal Authority**:** Brabantio's reaction to Desdemona's marriage underscores the theme of patriarchal control, where a father feels betrayed and dishonoured by his daughter's autonomy.
• Appearance vs. Reality: Brabantio's belief in Othello's use of witchcraft to win Desdemona's love highlights the theme of appearance versus reality, as he cannot fathom genuine affection between them due to his biases.

Key Quotes

"Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her! For I'll refer me to all things of sense, If she in chains of magic were not bound, Whether a maid, so tender, fair, and happy, So opposite to marriage that she shunned The wealthy curled darlings of our nation, Would ever have, t'incur a general mock, Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom Of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight." (Act 1, Scene 2)

• Brabantio accuses Othello of enchanting Desdemona, asserting that only magic could explain her decision to marry someone so different from the suitors she rejected.
• This quote illustrates Brabantio's racism and inability to believe that Desdemona could willingly love Othello, reducing their relationship to unnatural magic rather than genuine emotion. It also shows Brabantio's view of Desdemona as an innocent, childlike figure who could not make such decisions independently.

"She has deceived her father, and may thee." (Act 1, Scene 3)

• After disowning Desdemona, Brabantio warns Othello that because she has deceived her father, she might also deceive her husband.
• Brabantio's statement reflects his bitterness and foreshadows the tragic events fuelled by mistrust and jealousy. It also underscores the play's exploration of loyalty and betrayal within relationships.

Emilia

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• The Handkerchief (Act 3, Scene 3): Emilia finds Desdemona's handkerchief and gives it to Iago, not fully understanding his malicious intent. This act sets the stage for Othello's tragic downfall.
• Discussion of Infidelity (Act 4, Scene 3): Emilia speaks candidly with Desdemona about the nature of men and marriage, revealing her cynical views and providing insight into her character's depth.
• Revealing Iago's Treachery (Act 5, Scene 2): Emilia exposes Iago's deceit, despite the personal danger it poses. Her public denunciation of Iago and defence of Desdemona highlight her moral courage and loyalty.

Key Themes

• Loyalty and Betrayal: Emilia's actions oscillate between loyalty to her husband and her mistress, culminating in her ultimate betrayal of Iago to reveal the truth.
• Gender and Power**:** Through Emilia, Shakespeare explores the limitations placed on women and the consequences of speaking out against male authority.
• Truth and Deception**:** Emilia's role in uncovering the truth contrasts sharply with Iago's pervasive deceit, emphasizing the play's exploration of honesty and manipulation.

Key Quotes

"They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; / They eat us hungrily, and when they are full, / They belch us." (Act 3, Scene 4)

• This quote reveals Emilia's cynical view of men, reflecting her disillusionment with marriage and gender dynamics.
• Her metaphor equates men to predators who use women for their satisfaction, then discard them, highlighting the exploitative nature of relationships in the play.

"I am glad I have found this napkin; / This was her first remembrance from the Moor. / My wayward husband hath a hundred times / Wooed me to steal it." (Act 3, Scene 3)

• Emilia expresses a conflicted sense of duty as she gives Desdemona's handkerchief to Iago, recognizing its sentimental value.
• Her action, motivated by a desire to please Iago, unwittingly contributes to the tragedy, underscoring the tragic consequences of misplaced loyalty.

"I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak: / My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed." (Act 5, Scene 2)

• Emilia's defiance against Iago and her determination to reveal the truth demonstrate her moral integrity and bravery.
• This moment marks her transformation from a passive participant to an active agent of justice, embodying the theme of truth versus deception.

Duke of Venice

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Summoning Othello (Act 1, Scene 2): The Duke calls for Othello to discuss the urgent military matters concerning the Turkish threat to Cyprus, demonstrating his reliance on Othello's military expertise.
• Handling Brabantio's Accusation (Act 1, Scene 3): The Duke listens to Brabantio's accusations against Othello and fairly adjudicates the matter, allowing Othello to explain his marriage to Desdemona.
• Dispatching Othello to Cyprus (Act 1, Scene 3): After resolving the accusation, the Duke sends Othello to Cyprus to lead the defence against the Turks, showing his trust in Othello's capabilities and reinforcing the importance of duty over personal matters.

Key Themes

• Justice and Fairness**:** The Duke embodies the principles of justice and fairness, providing a balanced and impartial judgment in the face of Brabantio's emotional and racially charged accusations.
• Authority and Leadership**:** The Duke's actions reflect the responsibilities and burdens of leadership, as he must balance personal grievances with the needs of the state.
• Racial Prejudice**:** Although the Duke is generally respectful and impartial, his handling of the case subtly underscores the racial tensions present in Venetian society.

Key Quotes

"Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you / Against the general enemy Ottoman." (Act 1, Scene 3)

• The Duke addresses Othello with respect and urgency, highlighting his reliance on Othello's military prowess to defend Venice against the Turks.
• This quote demonstrates the Duke's recognition of Othello's value and capabilities, setting aside any racial prejudice to prioritize the state's security.

"To vouch this is no proof, / Without wider and more overt test / Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods / Of modern seeming do prefer against him." (Act 1, Scene 3)

• The Duke insists on substantial evidence before condemning Othello, emphasizing the importance of due process and fairness in judgment.
• This quote underscores the Duke's commitment to justice and the principle of innocent until proven guilty, countering Brabantio's emotionally driven accusations.

"I think this tale would win my daughter too." (Act 1, Scene 3)

• The Duke remarks on the compelling nature of Othello's story, acknowledging its power to evoke empathy and understanding.
• This comment reflects the Duke's open-mindedness and his ability to appreciate Othello's virtues beyond racial biases, providing a contrast to Brabantio's prejudiced stance.