Othello (character summaries)

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Othello

The plays 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 to prey on because of his age, his life as a soldier and his race. He possesses a "free and open nature", which his love for his ensign Iago uses to twist his love fro his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and destructive jealousy. 

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Desdemona

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

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Iago

Othello's ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer) and the villain of the play. Iago is 28 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.

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Emilia

Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant. A cynical, wordly woman, she is deeply attatched to her mistress and distrustful of her husband.

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Lodavico

One of Brabantio's kinsmen, Lodavico acts as a messanger from Venice to Cyprus. He arrived in Cyprus in Act IV with letters announcing that Othello has been replaced by Cassio as govener.

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Montano

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

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Brabantio

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.

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Bianca

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

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Gratiano

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

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