For each of the following characters, write a concise paragraph that explores what sort of person he/she is. You may need to consider a combination of physical and personality traits to accurately explore the character.

Othello

Othello, the main character in the play, Othello, is a man who is proud and strong, but at times is seen as naive and easily manipulated. In the beginning of the play, Othello to many is seen as the brave, strong leader who has successfully won in war and Othello himself believes his accomplishments will add to more of a reason as to why he should be able to marry Desdemona, “My services which I have done the signiory Shall out-tongue his complaints...my demerits May speak, unbonneted, to as proud a fortune as this I have reach’d.” (Act 1: Scene 2: 20-26). Shakespeare’s use of personification to the words of ‘demerits’ and ‘services’ provide and insight into how your service at war is very much valued and respected in the play. The audience is positioned to view Othello as a courageous, proud leader and fighter. However, certain characters demoralise Othello for his skin colour, as Othello, being a black man, is frowned upon in the play. When Iago is informing Brabantio of Othello’s and Desdemona’s marriage he says, “An old black ram is tupping your white ewe,” (Act 1: Scene 1: 91-92). The use of binary opposition of the ‘black’ and ‘white’ allows the audience to clearly see the distinction and contrast between the two colours and how they relate back to Desdemona and Othello. The audience is positioned to see that in the play, marriage of the opposite race is devalued and frowned upon. Throughout the play, Othello’s character changes through the genius manipulation of Iago. With this change, Othello becomes more aggressive, completely naive and his speech becomes short and choppy. When Othello hits Desdemona, Lodovico asks, “Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature Whom passion could not shake?” (Act 4: Scene 1: 243-245). Shakespeare positions the audience to view the change through characters other than the people close to Othello, and this shows how much of a change Othello has undertaken since being under the influence of Iago. Also, it provides an insight into the Senate’s minds, where they all believe that Othello is a great fighter and leader and they value this in Othello. Desdemona also sees the change in Othello and asks, “Why do you speak so startingly and rash?” (Act 3: Scene 4” 79). This positions the audience to see that Desdemona values the ability to speak beautifully and have the art of speech, which Othello had, but begins to fade when under the influence of Iago. All in all, Othello in the beginning is the perfect representation of a great leader and fighter, but his values and attitudes begin to change and distort through-out the play due to the influence of Iago and these changes are visible to other characters and the audience.