# Michael Cassio — Othello character guide

> Michael Cassio in Othello by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Cassio, Lieutenant Cassio, good Cassio

**First appearance:** 0000-othello

## Snapshot

Othello's newly appointed lieutenant, a Florentine theorist of war whose courtly manners and easy charm mask a fatal weakness for drink.

## Who they are

Cassio won the lieutenancy Iago coveted, and his polished courtesy — kissing Emilia in greeting, praising Desdemona as 'our great captain's captain' — marks him as a man of the drawing room as much as the field. He loves Othello genuinely and serves as the go-between of the Moor's courtship, which makes his fall from favor so painful. His disgrace in Cyprus sets in motion the very reconciliation Desdemona will plead for.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Mentioned by Iago as the newly appointed lieutenant, a 'great arithmetician' from Florence, whom Iago resents.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Delivers the duke's summons for Othello's urgent appearance.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Not directly present in this scene, but referenced as the newly promoted lieutenant whom Iago resents.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Welcomes Desdemona and Emilia to Cyprus, showing courteous manners that Iago uses as evidence of his supposed lechery.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Gets drunk and brawls, losing his reputation and position.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Cassio seeks to regain Othello's favor by enlisting Desdemona's help, showing his desperation and trust in Iago.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Mentioned in Iago's fabricated dream as having spoken of Desdemona in his sleep.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv)

Seeks Desdemona's help to regain Othello's favor, then gives the handkerchief to Bianca.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Laughs and jokes with Iago about Bianca, unknowingly fueling Othello's jealousy.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Wounded in the leg by Iago during the ambush.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Brought in wounded; learns of Iago's plot and is appointed governor of Cyprus.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/cassio
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters