# Gratiano — Othello character guide

> Gratiano in Othello by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0019-act-v-scene-i

## Snapshot

Brabantio's brother, a Venetian nobleman whose arrival in Cyprus places him at the scene of Iago's darkest handiwork.

## Who they are

Gratiano comes to Cyprus in Lodovico's company, a sober Venetian voice amid the island's mounting chaos. He recognizes Roderigo's body in the dark street and watches Iago's performance of grief and outrage with the calm of a man who has seen much. His presence underscores how far the Venetian world has traveled from its own laws, and how thoroughly Iago has staged the carnage to look like someone else's crime.

## Links

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