The Importance Of Minor Characters In Shakespeare's Othello

Sarah Waters, British author of Tipping the Velvet once said, “Respect your characters, even the minor ones. In art, as in life, everyone is the hero of their own particular story; it is worth thinking about what your minor characters’ stories are, even though they may intersect only slightly with your protagonist’s.” Minor characters are often considered insignificant to the plot of a novel. They are frequently overlooked; yet inevitably hold an unrecognized importance, even if their actions are not willful in their nature. Minor characters in Shakespeare’s Othello, such as Emilia, Roderigo and Cassio are a large factor in the plot’s advancement. However, most of this action is not catalyzed deliberately, but through the notion of what they …show more content…
For instance, when Desdemona and Othello are alone together in their chamber on the night of Desdemona’s murder, Emilia is outside and hears everything. Once she enters their chamber and witnesses the death of Desdemona, she cries out: “The Moor hath kill’d my mistress. Murder, murder!” (5.2.166). Her cry of murder alarms Montano, Gratiano and Iago, who soon enter the scene. Emilia’s cry causes other characters to become part of the problem, thus advancing the plot. Emilia is oblivious of her husband’s evil plans, yet is found in the right place at the right time, demonstrating her importance and causing the play to …show more content…
Cassio’s reality is kindness and innocence, which makes him the perfect instrument for Othello’s destruction. When Othello hears Iago and Cassio having a conversation regarding Bianca, he believes they are speaking about Desdemona. Cassio is not aware that he causes Othello’s confusion. The fact that he is oblivious is evident when Iago states, “Now will I question Cassio of Bianca… As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad… Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behaviours / Quite in the wrong.” (4.1.93-103). Cassio is not aware of Othello’s presence. He assumes that they are alone, demonstrating his oblivion in the situation. Therefore, everything that Iago has planned unfolds. Cassio’s nature of innocence and kindness would not have let him hurt Othello, although he is the catalyst of Othello’s destruction in the scene. Further evidence that Cassio is unknowingly made to look adulterous in the eyes of Othello is as A.C. Bradley states, “When Iago, perceiving that he can now risk almost any lie, tells him that Cassio has confessed his guilt.” (196). The idea that Cassio has confessed is of course, a lie. Cassio never realizes that Iago continuously tells lies about him. He repeatedly uses Cassio without his knowledge as a catalyst for destroying Othello. Ironically, Cassio is innocent, and the complete