Othello: Character Profiles

Othello: Othello is the noble and powerful Moor who is tragically manipulated by his ensign Iago into believing that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful, leading to his downfall.
Desdemona: Desdemona is Othello’s faithful wife, who is falsely accused of infidelity, leading to her murder by her tormented husband.
Iago: Iago is Othello’s manipulative and villainous ensign, who masterminds the events leading to the tragedy out of jealousy over Cassio’s promotion and suspected infidelity with his own wife.
Cassio: Cassio is Othello’s handsome and loyal lieutenant, whose slighting by Othello at Iago’s suggestion serves as the initial impetus for Iago’s intricate plot of revenge.
Emilia: Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s servant, who exposes her husband’s villainy, but too late to save Desdemona and Othello.
Bianca: Bianca is a courtesan, lover to Cassio, who is implicated in Iago’s plot when she is found with a handkerchief crucial to his scheme.
Brabantio: Brabantio is Desdemona’s father, who disapproves of her marriage to Othello and, manipulated by Iago and Roderigo, stirs up trouble that further complicates the plot.
Roderigo: Roderigo is a wealthy and foolish gentleman, who is manipulated by Iago in his plans against Othello due to his unrequited love for Desdemona.
Doge of Venice: Doge of Venice is the governing authority who supports Othello, yet can maintain the social order only to a certain extent against the force of personal tragedies and intrigue in the play.
Minor Characters: The minor characters in the play, such as Lodovico and Montano, contribute to the dramatic structure and thematic complexities, illustrating various aspects of societal and interpersonal dynamics that influence the melting pot of tragedy in Othello.