| author | shakespeare |
| setting | venice and cyprus |
| othello | protagonist and hero. A Christian Moor and general of the armies of Venice, is an eloquent and physically powerful figure, respected by all those around him. In spite of his elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race |
| desdemona | she and Othello are secretly married before the play begins. While in many ways stereotypically pure and meek, is also determined and self-possessed. She is equally capable of defending her marriage, jesting bawdily with Iago, and responding with dignity to Othello’s incomprehensible jealousy |
| iago | Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the villain of the play, is twenty-eight years old, wants promotion |
| cassio | Othello’s lieutenant, is a young and inexperienced soldier, whose high position is much resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello, is extremely ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses his youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s fidelit |
| emilia | Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. A cynical, worldly woman, she is deeply attached to her mistress and distrustful of her husband |
| roderigo | A jealous suitor of Desdemona. Young, rich, and foolish, is convinced that if he gives Iago all of his money, Iago will help him win Desdemona’s hand. Repeatedly frustrated as Othello marries Desdemona and then takes her to Cyprus |
| bianca | A courtesan, or prostitute, in Cyprus. favorite customer is Cassio, who teases her with promises of marriage |
| brabantio | Desdemona’s father, a somewhat blustering and self-important Venetian senator. As a friend of Othello, feels betrayed when the general marries his daughter in secret |
| duke of venice | official authority in venice, his primary role within the play is to reconcile Othello and Brabanzio in Act I, scene iii, and then to send Othello to Cyprus |
| montano | The governor of Cyprus before Othello. We see him first in Act II, as he recounts the status of the war and awaits the Venetian ships |
| lodovico | One of Brabantio’s kinsmen, Lodovico acts as a messenger from Venice to Cyprus. He arrives in Cyprus in Act IV with letters announcing that Othello has been replaced by Cassio as governor |
| gratiano | Brabantio’s kinsman who accompanies Lodovico to Cyprus. Amidst the chaos of the final scene, mentions that Desdemona’s father has died |
| clown | Othello’s servant, appears only in two short scenes, his appearances reflect and distort the action and words of the main plots |
| herald | proclaims the general festivities on Cyprus for the victory over the Turks, with an added plea for extra merriment to celebrate Othello’s marriage |
| first messenger | brings news to the Venetian war council that two Turkish fleets have met near Rhodes and are now aiming for Cyprus |
| second messenger | informs Montano that the people of Cyprus are gathered by the shore and have sighted a sail |
| first musician | playing the pipes is quite willing to cease playing when paid to do so. |
| officer | goes with Cassio to find Othello and bring him to the Duke |
| sailor | brings news to the Venetian war council that the Turkish fleet is heading to Rhodes rather than Cyprus |
| first gentleman | of Cyprus stands with Montano looking out at the storm-ridden sea in the hopes of making out what is happening with the Turkish and Venetian fleets, but can see nothing. |
| second gentleman | of Cyprus is reasonably certain that the Turkish fleet will be drowned by the storm. He recognizes Iago, and knows the forms of salutation between ships and fortress. |
| third gentleman | of Cyprus brings Montano the news that the Turkish fleet is sunk by the storm and that Cyprus is therefore safe. Having this news from Cassio, he shares the latter’s worry at the fact that the storm parted Othello’s ship from the rest of the fleet |
| first senator | is certain that the Turkish move towards Rhodes is nothing but a ruse, and convinces the rest of the war council so |
| second senator | is part of the war council of Venice, and concludes that despite the disparity in numbers in the information they are receiving, the general message is clear and all that they need be concerned about |
| major themes | love, prejudice, jealousy |
| writing style | verse- poetry; prose-talking |
Othello Exam Review
August 30, 2019