# Lodovico — Othello character guide

> Lodovico in Othello by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0015-act-iv-scene-i

## Snapshot

A Venetian nobleman and Brabantio's kinsman, sent to Cyprus bearing letters that will force him to witness Othello's unraveling.

## Who they are

Lodovico arrives in Cyprus as a representative of Venice, carrying dispatches and the authority of the senate. He has heard Othello praised as the Moor whom passion could not shake, and what he finds instead — a general striking his wife and raving before his officers — leaves him stunned. His outsider's perspective becomes the audience's mirror, measuring how far the noble Othello has fallen from his former self.

## Relationships

### [Othello](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/othello)

_professional_

Lodovico is a Venetian nobleman and Othello's superior, sent to Cyprus with orders that ultimately trigger Othello's downfall.

### [Desdemona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/desdemona)

_social_

Desdemona and Lodovico are acquaintances from Venice, with Lodovico witnessing Othello's abusive treatment of her.

### [Othello](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/othello)

_professional_

Lodovico is a Venetian nobleman and Othello's superior, sent to Cyprus with orders that ultimately trigger Othello's downfall.

### [Desdemona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/desdemona)

_social_

Desdemona and Lodovico are acquaintances from Venice, with Lodovico witnessing Othello's abusive treatment of her.

### [Othello](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/othello)

_professional_

Lodovico is a Venetian nobleman and Othello's superior, sent to Cyprus with orders that ultimately trigger Othello's downfall.

## In the story

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

Arrives from Venice with orders for Othello to return home and Cassio to take command.

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

Briefly appears as Othello's guest, exchanging courtesies before departing.

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

Oversees the resolution, orders Iago's torture, and relates the tragedy to Venice.

## Links

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