Characters and Archetypes in Characters and Archetypes in OthelloOthello

OthelloOthello

He is the play’s protagonistHe is the play’s protagonist

He is a tragic heroHe is a tragic hero

He is a Moor (North African)He is a Moor (North African)

Powerful military leaderPowerful military leader

Free, open, trusting character which Free, open, trusting character which is also his tragic flaw because it leads is also his tragic flaw because it leads to his downfall in the endto his downfall in the end

DesdemonaDesdemonaSecretly married to OthelloSecretly married to Othello

She is white, which causes problems She is white, which causes problems because she ran away with a black manbecause she ran away with a black man

Very strong female character because she Very strong female character because she constantly stands up for and to Othelloconstantly stands up for and to Othello

She is in many ways the Damsel of the She is in many ways the Damsel of the play, but is put out there as a temptress as play, but is put out there as a temptress as wellwell

IagoIagoOthello’s ensign (military position under Othello’s ensign (military position under Othello)Othello)He is the villain, or shadow, of the playHe is the villain, or shadow, of the playHis personality is opposite of Othello; very His personality is opposite of Othello; very manipulative and cunning and deceitfulmanipulative and cunning and deceitfulHe is jealous b/c Othello chose another He is jealous b/c Othello chose another character (Cassio) for a promotion over character (Cassio) for a promotion over himhimHates women in generalHates women in generalHas no real motivation for being a jerk, he Has no real motivation for being a jerk, he just is onejust is one

CassioCassio

Othello’s lieutenantOthello’s lieutenant

He was promoted instead of Iago, so He was promoted instead of Iago, so Iago hates himIago hates him

He is kind of a ladies manHe is kind of a ladies man

He is the one who is truly devoted to He is the one who is truly devoted to Othello (best friend you could say)Othello (best friend you could say)

He would be the companion figure in He would be the companion figure in the playthe play

EmiliaEmilia

Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendantattendant

Loves DesdemonaLoves Desdemona

Distrusts her husband b/c he is very Distrusts her husband b/c he is very flirty with the ladiesflirty with the ladies

RoderigoRoderigo

In love with Desdemona but she In love with Desdemona but she refused himrefused him

Jealous of OthelloJealous of Othello

Easily manipulated by Iago to do his Easily manipulated by Iago to do his bidding against Othellobidding against Othello

BiancaBianca

A less than reputable woman in town A less than reputable woman in town (local prostitute)(local prostitute)

Cassio is her favorite customerCassio is her favorite customer

Definitely the temptressDefinitely the temptress

BrabantioBrabantio

Desdemona’s fatherDesdemona’s father

Was Othello’s friend until he found Was Othello’s friend until he found out that Othello and his daughter out that Othello and his daughter were secretly marriedwere secretly married

Uses Othello’s race as a reason why Uses Othello’s race as a reason why his daughter should not marry his daughter should not marry OthelloOthello

Duke of VeniceDuke of Venice

The authority figure in VeniceThe authority figure in Venice

Respects Othello for his military skillsRespects Othello for his military skills

Kind of a mentor figure for OthelloKind of a mentor figure for Othello

Montano, Lodovico, and GrazianoMontano, Lodovico, and Graziano

Montano: governor before OthelloMontano: governor before Othello

Lodovico: Barbantio’s kinsman and Lodovico: Barbantio’s kinsman and relays messages from Venice to relays messages from Venice to Cyprus.Cyprus.

Graziano: another of Barbantio’s Graziano: another of Barbantio’s kinsman who travels with Lodovicokinsman who travels with Lodovico

Brief SummaryBrief SummaryThey play is set in Venice, Italy.They play is set in Venice, Italy.Currently at war, but trying to prevent itCurrently at war, but trying to prevent itOthello is the Duke’s main military leader and Othello is the Duke’s main military leader and sends him to Cyprus to fightsends him to Cyprus to fightOthello is married secretly to Desdemona, against Othello is married secretly to Desdemona, against her father’s approvalher father’s approvalIago is jealous of Othello and Cassio, so he tries Iago is jealous of Othello and Cassio, so he tries to break up his marriage and make Othello go to break up his marriage and make Othello go mad by saying that Desdemona is unfaithful to mad by saying that Desdemona is unfaithful to Othello by sleeping with his best friend Cassio.Othello by sleeping with his best friend Cassio.Chaos ensues!Chaos ensues!