Othello: character motivation and interaction

Othello: Character Motivation and Interaction

Othello

• Othello’s chief motivation is his love for Desdemona and desire to retain his honour.
• His insecurity about his race and social status in Venice leads him to believe Iago’s insinuations about Desdemona’s infidelity.
• Othello’s interaction with others is initially governed by trust and respect, but as his paranoia grows, he becomes increasingly aggressive.

Iago

• Iago’s primary motivation is revenge. He feels slighted by Othello’s promotion of Cassio and suspects Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia.
• His interactions clearly depict his manipulative nature, as he feigns loyalty to both Othello and Cassio while simultaneously undermining them.

Desdemona

• Desdemona’s driving force is her unconditional love for Othello and her belief in marital duty.
• Her interaction with Othello is marked by love and patience, while with Emilia, her attendant, she is candid, paving the way for a discussion on women’s rights and gender roles.

Cassio

• Cassio’s motivation is his commitment to his military duty and his admiration for Othello.
• His interactions reflect a good-natured, trusting character, making him an easier target for Iago’s manipulations.

Emilia

• Emilia’s key motivation is her loyalty to Desdemona, and later, her desire to expose Iago’s villainy.
• Her interaction with Iago is submissive and respectful, taking a drastic shift as she uncovers his deception, leading to a sacrifice of her life to reveal the truth.

Character Motivation and Interaction Context

• The nuances of character motivation and interaction in Othello act as building blocks to understand the complex relationships and consequential actions in the play.
• The stark mismatch between individual motivations and outcomes underline the play’s tragic essence.
• Observing interaction patterns can illuminate hidden personality traits, power dynamics and thematic undercurrents – a focus point when analysing Othello.