characters

Othello

The play’s protagonist and hero. A Christian Moor and general of the armies of Venice, Othello is an eloquent 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.

the mediator

Shakespeare portrays Othello as a prudent, level headed individual who seeks to resolve conflict rather than cause it we see this particulary in the first seen in which he apears when he tells barabanti’s men “keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them” (act 1 scene 2) indicating that he doesn’t see violence as a solution . He uses the strength of his voice to assert himself and prove himself worthy suggests he is immune to toxic masculinity (impulsive, belligerent and vein) that defines many men within military culture.

the leader

Shakespeare shows that he takes his roles extremely seriously often putting his obligations to others before his own needs. one example is when he is called away from his marital bed to end the brawl Iago started: another is when he demotes Cassio even though he is a friend, telling him, “Cassio I love thee,/ But never more to be officer of mine” (act 2 scene 3) this scene might imply o

Othello is willing to sacrifice his own loyalties in order to act as a perfect leader: he acts on the will of others, not his own, and this may foreshadow Iago’s later puppetry. nether less we witness Othello’s skill commanding his men and rallying morale. his affinity for peace making and ability to inspire others aligns him with a messiah type persona: as Othello is black, this would have been a controversial statement in the Jacobean era, due to the excessive whitewashing of the church.

the doting husband

we get the impression that Othello cares for Desdemona beyond her child baring ‘duty’. “send for the lady … and let her speak of me to her father” (act 1 scene 3), Shakespeare presents the faith Othello has in her, as well as his appreciation for her voice and option. Othello breaks conversation by inviting Desdemona to fight her own case. this is progressive as in venetian times women typically carried no authority especially in the public sphere and had to defer to their husbands. Shakespeare illustrates the strength Othello gains from her support showing how marriage should be a union and a meeting of perspectives rather than ones power over the other “she loved me for the dangers i had passed / and i loved her that she did pity them” (act 1 scene 3)

the lover

Shakespeare conveys how love brightens Othello’s spirit. his speech is full of joyful, fearless imagery, such as “my souls joy, / if after every tempest come such as “my souls joy, / if after every tempest come such calms, may the winds blow till they have weekend death,” (act 2 scene 1) and “the greatest discords be / that ever our hearts shall make,” (act 2 scene 1) Shakespeare portrays him as an optimist, bolstered by the strength love brings him. he feels like together, they can face anything, even “death” itself - the ultimate goal for lovers. the references to nature and music draw strong parallels with traditional love poetry and convey how powerful love makes Othello feel.

the gullible disciple

at first Othello is shown to be unwavering in his faith in Desdemona s loyalty. he tells Iago, “nor from mine own weak merits will I draw/ the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt, act 3 scene 3) and says to himself , “if she be false, o then heaven mocks itself,” act 3 scene 3