Othello Character Analysis

Characters

• Othello: A respected, valiant Moorish general, torn between his love for Desdemona and the insidious manipulations of Iago. He is a complex character, susceptible to jealousy and prone to rash actions.

• Desdemona: A beautiful and virtuous Venetian lady, deeply devoted to Othello. She embodies innocence and unwavering love. Her tragic death is central to the play's narrative.

• Iago: A cunning and malicious soldier, consumed by envy and bitterness towards Othello. He orchestrates a web of deceit to destroy Othello's reputation and happiness.

• Roderigo: A Venetian gentleman, desperately in love with Desdemona and manipulated by Iago into furthering his plot. He is a naive and ultimately pathetic figure.

• Cassio: A lieutenant in Othello's army, admired by Othello, but prone to mistakes and subject to Iago's schemes.

• Emilia: Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant. She plays a crucial role by revealing Iago's treachery.

Plot Summary

• The play unfolds in Venice and Cyprus, exploring themes of jealousy, deception, and the corrupting influence of envy.

• Othello arrives in Venice and marries Desdemona, defying societal expectations. Iago's jealousy of Othello's advancement fuels his desire for revenge.

• Iago, through manipulation and deceitful lies, plants seeds of doubt and suspicion in Othello's mind, convincing him of Desdemona's infidelity and creating a destructive environment.

• Othello relentlessly interrogates and scrutinizes Desdemona, driven by the poison of Iago's lies. He descends into madness and commits a terrible act.

• The play culminates in the tragic deaths of Desdemona and Othello, illustrating the destructive power of unfounded jealousy and malicious intent.

Key Themes

• Jealousy: A major driving force throughout the play, consuming Othello and poisoning his judgement.

• Deception and Manipulation: Iago's masterful manipulation of individuals plays a central role in the play, highlighting the destructive potential of deceit.

• Race relations/racism: The play contains overt and subtle instances where racial prejudices impact characters and plot events. Othello's racial background is a key element, but more so used by Iago.

• Power and Authority: Othello's position as a general provides him with considerable power, which Iago exploits to gain leverage in his schemes.

• Marriage and Love: Desdemona's love for Othello and the play's depiction of marriage contrast with the insidious nature of Iago's motivations.

Key Motifs

• The handkerchief: A seemingly insignificant item—a symbol of love and trust—becomes a crucial catalyst in the play's tragic events; wrongly perceived and manipulated.

• Venetian society: Society's expectations and dynamics are contrasted with Iago's personal motives.

Style and Language

• Iambic pentameter: The play is written in Iambic pentameter, creating a measured and heightened sense of dramatic effect.

• Prose: The use of prose contributes to the characters' emotional states in various scenes.

• Dramatic Irony: The audience often understands Iago's true motives and the extent of his manipulation, deepening the tragedy of the unfolding events.

• Character development: The various characters, including Othello and Iago, develop and change throughout the play.