OTHELLO PART 2

Theme and character bank

1. Othello

Key Traits:

• Noble & brave (respected general)

• Outsider (Moor, black man in a white Venetian society)

• Loving but insecure (deep love for Desdemona, but doubts himself)

• Jealous & impulsive (quick to believe lies without evidence)

• Tragic hero (falls from greatness due to a fatal flaw—jealousy)

Themes Linked to Othello:

• Jealousy ("green-eyed monster" that consumes him)

• Appearance vs Reality (believes Iago’s lies over Desdemona’s truth)

• Racism & Prejudice (treated as an outsider)

• Trust & Betrayal (misplaces trust in Iago)

• Tragic Downfall (from noble general to murderer)

2. Iago Key Traits:

• Manipulative & cunning (master deceiver)

• Envious & resentful (hates Cassio's promotion, suspects Othello of sleeping with his wife)

• Liar & instigator (destroys lives for his own gain)

• Cold & remorseless (lacks empathy, "I am not what I am")

Themes Linked to Iago:

• Deception & Lies (manipulates everyone)

• Jealousy (motivated by envy)

• Appearance vs Reality (appears honest but is evil)

• Power & Control (enjoys controlling others' fates)

• Evil without Cause (his motives are vague—he does evil for evil's sake)

3. Desdemona Key Traits:

• Pure & innocent (true, loyal love for Othello)

• Strong-willed yet submissive (stands up for love but remains obedient)

• Victim of male authority (abused by father, husband, and society)

• Tragic victim (dies because of Othello's misplaced jealousy)

Themes Linked to Desdemona:

• Love & Devotion (remains loyal even in death)

• Innocence & Purity (symbolized by the handkerchief)

• Gender & Patriarchy (treated as property by Brabantio and Othello)

• Misjudgment & Injustice (punished for a crime she didn't commit)

4. Emilia Key Traits:

• Practical & outspoken (calls out male hypocrisy)

• Loyal but naïve (obeys Iago, unknowingly aids his plan)

• Voice of Reason (challenges Othello’s cruelty)

• Tragic truth-teller (dies exposing Iago’s lies)

Themes Linked to Emilia:

• Gender Inequality (criticizes double standards)

• Loyalty vs Truth (loyal to Desdemona, yet trapped by Iago)

• Appearance vs Reality (appears submissive but speaks harsh truths)

• Justice & Revelation (reveals Iago’s evil, leading to tragedy)

5. Cassio Key Traits:

• Handsome & charming (seen as a "ladies’ man")

• Honourable & respectful (respects Desdemona, loyal to Othello)

• Naïve (trusts Iago, unaware of the manipulation)

• Victim of Iago’s plot (loses his position, reputation attacked)

Themes Linked to Cassio:

• Reputation & Honour (obsessed with his public image)

• Trust & Betrayal (betrayed by Iago's schemes)

• Appearance vs Reality (appears guilty but is innocent)

• Friendship & Loyalty (remains loyal to Othello despite being wronged)

6. Roderigo Key Traits:

• Foolish & desperate (in love with Desdemona, easily tricked)

• Gullible (believes Iago’s empty promises)

• Obsessive (fixated on winning Desdemona)

• Pawn in Iago’s game (used and discarded)

Themes Linked to Roderigo:

• Obsession & Desire (blinded by lust for Desdemona)

• Manipulation (exploited by Iago)

• Deception & Foolishness (too trusting, leads to his downfall)

• Class & Wealth (uses his money to try to buy love)