Othello Character List

Front 1

Othello

Back 1

The play’s protagonist and hero. A Christian Moor and general of the armies of Venice and physically powerful figure, respected by all those around him. In spite of his elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race. He possesses a “free and open nature,” which his ensign Iago uses to twist his love for his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and destructive jealousy

Front 2

Desdemona

Back 2

The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio. Desdemona and Othello are secretly married
before the play begins. While in many ways stereotypically pure and meek, Desdemona is also
determined and self-possessed. She is equally capable of defending her marriage, jesting bawdily
with Iago, and responding with dignity to Othello’s incomprehensible jealousy

Front 3

Iago

Back 3

Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the villain of the play.
Iago is twenty-eight years old. While his ostensible reason for desiring Othello’s demise is that he
has been passed over for promotion to lieutenant, Iago’s motivations are never very clearly expressed and seem to originate in an obsessive, almost aesthetic delight in manipulation and destruction.

Front 4

Cassio

Back 4

Othello’s lieutenant. Cassio is a young and inexperienced soldier, whose high position is much
resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello, Cassio is extremely ashamed after being implicated in
a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio’s youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s fidelity.

Front 5

Emilia

Back 5

Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. A cynical,
worldly woman, she is deeply attached to her
mistress and distrustful of her husband

Front 6

Roderigo

Back 6

A jealous suitor of Desdemona. Young, rich, and foolish, Roderigo is convinced that if he gives
Iago all of his money, Iago will help him win Desdemona’s hand. Repeatedly frustrated as
Othello marries Desdemona and then takes her to Cyprus, Roderigo is ultimately desperate enough to agree to help Iago kill Cassio after Iago points out that Cassio is another potential rival for Desdemona

Front 7

Bianca

Back 7

A courtesan, or prostitute, in Cyprus.
Bianca’s favorite customer is Cassio, who teases her with promises of marriage

Front 8

Brabantio

Back 8

Desdemona’s father, a somewhat blustering and self-important Venetian senator. As a friend of Othello, Brabantio feels betrayed when the general marries his daughter in secret.

Front 9

Clown

Back 9

Othello's servant

Front 10

Lodovico

Back 10

One of Brabantio’s kinsmen, Lodovico acts as a messenger from Venice to Cyprus. He arrives in
Cyprus in Act IV with letters announcing that Othello
has been replaced by Cassio as governor.

Front 11

Montano

Back 11

The governor of Cyprus before Othello. We see him first in Act II, as he recounts the status of the
war and awaits the Venetian ships

Front 12

Duke of Venice

Back 12

The official authority in Venice, the duke has great respect for Othello as a public and military
servant. His primary role within the play is to reconcile Othello and Brabanzio in Act I, scene iii, and then to send Othello to Cyprus.

Front 13

Gratiano

Back 13

Brabantio’s kinsman who accompanies Lodovico to Cyprus. Amidst the chaos of the final scene, Gratiano
mentions that Desdemona’s father has died.