Othello

Clown

serves as comic relief in the play

Desdemona

A Venetian lady, Othello's wife, Brabantio's daughter

Brabantio

A Venetian senator, father of Desdemona

"Do you perceive in all this noble company where you owe most obedience?"

Brabantio said this to Desdemona. He asked her if she obeyed him or her husband, in which she chose her husband (Othello). The words are asking her to choose between the two of them.

"I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking..."

Cassio says this to Iago. Cassio is explaining why he needs to be careful and moderate his alcohol consumption, as he has a weak tolerance and easily becomes inebriated.

Bianca

Cassio's mistress from Cyprus

"O, beware my lord of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster..."*

Iago is saying this quote to Othello. In this scene, Iago is in the middle of his scheme to destroy Othello. He is warning Othello about the dangers of jealousy (the green-eyed monster).He emphasized that it can lead to destructive behavior and can cloud one's judgement. This quote highlights the central theme of jealousy in the play and foreshadows tragic events.

"Our general's wife is now the general: confess yourself freely to her..."

Iago says this Cassio. In saying this, Iago suggests that Cassio seek help from Desdemona to get his job back after losing it due to his drunken behavior. Iago is using this to further his agenda and manipulate Othello. The quote means that Desdemona has a lot of influence over Othello, which is why Iago suggests this.

"Reputation is an idle and false imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without deserving."*

Iago says this to Cassio, encouraging him to drink and celebrate although Cassio has a reputation of being a heavy drinker. This quote is stating that people's reputations are often based on false impressions and can be gained or lost without deserving it. He suggests that reputation is not a reliable measure of a person's character or worth.

"For I will make him tell the tale anew, where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when he hath, and is again to cope you wife."

Iago says this to Othello. He convinces Othello to hide while Iago gets Cassio to confess to the affair and give all the details about it. This quote means that Iago will force Cassio to give a detailed account of the affair. This way Othello can hear it come from Cassio's mouth and therefore be convinced of the affair.

"He takes her by the palm...with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio."*

Iago says this to Roderigo. He is speaking about his plan to ruin Cassio's reputation and get revenge on Othello, who passed him up for a promotion. The quote is stating that Cassio is easily manipulated and that Iago plans to use a small amount of deception to trap him, just as a spider can catch a large fly with a small web.

Emilia

Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant

"Cassio, I love thee but never more be officer of mine."

Othello says this to Cassio. Othello is dismissing Cassio from his position as lieutenant after Cassio get into a fight and injures Montano.

"Think on thy sins."

Othello says this to Desdemona. In this scene, Othello is completely convinced of the affair between Desdemona and Cassio. He is telling her to think about what she has done. She responds that she has not done anything. He becomes upset and smothers her.

"Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio's not alive."

Othello says this to Iago. Othello is speaking to Iago and expressing his gratitude for Iago's loyalty and service. He tells Iago that he will reward him by giving him the position of the lieutenant. In this quote, Othello is basically asking that Iago confirm Cassio's death within the next 3 days.

"Thou hast set me on the rack: I swear tis better to be much abused than but to know a little."

Othello says this to Iago. Othello is telling Iago that he needs more proof of the affair between Desdemona and Cassio. He is saying that Iago is racking his brain about something that he is not certain of.

"Put out the light, and then put out the light."*

Othello says this to himself as he prepares to kill Desdemona because he believes she has been unfaithful. By saying "put out the light," he is referring to the light of Desdemona's life, which he is about to extinguish.

"O brave Iago, honest and just, that has such noble sense of thy friend's wrong! Thou teachest me."

Othello says this to the crowd after Cassio stabbed Roderigo and Iago stabbed Cassio for stabbing Roderigo. Iago ran away and changed his clothes to make it appear as if nothing had happened. Othello is expressing his admiration towards Iago, as he believed that Iago acted in his best interest and has been a true friend.

Cassio

Othello's second-in-command, or lieutenant

Iago

Othello's standard-bearer, or "ancient"; primary antagonist in 'Othello'

"We must straight employ you against the general enemy Ottoman."

The Duke says this in his chamber to Othello. Othello is getting appointed to lead the Venetian armed forces against the Ottoman Empire. The Duke is telling him about his position.

Lodovico and Gratiano

Venetian senators, kinsmen to Brabantio

Othello

a Moorish general in the Venetian army

Roderigo

a Venetian gentleman lusting after Desdemona; he is the secondary antagonist

Montano

an official in Cyprus; governor of Cyprus before Othello takes command