# Othello — Othello character guide > Othello in Othello by William Shakespeare. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Moor, brave Moor, the warlike Moor Othello, black Othello **First appearance:** 0000-othello ## Snapshot A Moorish general whose battlefield command and hard-won marriage to a Venetian senator's daughter make him both the republic's shield and its uneasy guest. ## Who they are Venice prizes Othello for the wars he wins, yet the senate's trust and Desdemona's love rest on a man whose foreignness is never forgotten. He is eloquent, generous, and utterly unguarded in his affections — a soldier who has known little of courts and less of jealousy. When Cyprus calls him to govern, his private happiness becomes the stage on which his public honor will be tested. ## Relationships ### [Emilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/emilia) _professional_ Emilia serves as Desdemona's attendant and is caught between loyalty to her mistress and her husband Iago's schemes. ### [Desdemona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/desdemona) _romantic_ Desdemona and Othello are passionately married, but their love is destroyed by jealousy and Iago's lies. ### [Iago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/iago) _psychological_ Iago is Othello's trusted ensign who secretly despises him and masterfully manipulates him into murderous jealousy. ### [Lodovico](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/lodovico) _professional_ Lodovico is a Venetian nobleman and Othello's superior, sent to Cyprus with orders that ultimately trigger Othello's downfall. ### [Brabantio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/brabantio) _family_ Brabantio is Desdemona's father who opposes her marriage to Othello, accusing him of witchcraft and disowning her. ### [Duke of Venice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/duke_of_venice) _professional_ The Duke of Venice respects Othello as a valued general and defends his marriage to Desdemona against Brabantio's accusations. ### [Iago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/iago) _psychological_ Iago is Othello's trusted ensign who secretly despises him and masterfully manipulates him into murderous jealousy. ### [Emilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/emilia) _professional_ Emilia serves as Desdemona's attendant and is caught between loyalty to her mistress and her husband Iago's schemes. ### [Duke of Venice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/duke_of_venice) _professional_ The Duke of Venice respects Othello as a valued general and defends his marriage to Desdemona against Brabantio's accusations. ### [Desdemona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/desdemona) _romantic_ Desdemona and Othello are passionately married, but their love is destroyed by jealousy and Iago's lies. ### [Brabantio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/brabantio) _family_ Brabantio is Desdemona's father who opposes her marriage to Othello, accusing him of witchcraft and disowning her. ### [Iago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/iago) _psychological_ Iago is Othello's trusted ensign who secretly despises him and masterfully manipulates him into murderous jealousy. ## In the story ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i) Referenced as the Moor who married Desdemona; Iago and Roderigo describe him in racist terms, and Brabantio accuses him of using charms. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii) Defends his marriage and noble heritage; agrees to face Brabantio's accusation before the duke. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii) Defends his marriage before the Senate, recounts his courtship of Desdemona, and entrusts her to Iago's care. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i) Arrives in Cyprus and is overjoyed to reunite with Desdemona, expressing his deep love and contentment. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii) The noble and valiant general whose pleasure is proclaimed for celebration. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii) Dismisses Cassio after the brawl, showing his commitment to order. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii) Gives orders to Iago and prepares to inspect the fortifications. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii) Becomes consumed by jealousy after Iago's insinuations; demands ocular proof of Desdemona's infidelity. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv) Demands the handkerchief, reveals its magical significance, and grows increasingly agitated and jealous. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i) Falls into Iago's trap, becomes consumed by jealousy, strikes Desdemona, and vows revenge. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii) Accuses Desdemona of being a whore, weeps, and expresses deep emotional torment. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii) Commands Desdemona to go to bed and dismiss Emilia, showing his authoritative and suspicious demeanor. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii) Delivers final speech, kills himself after realizing Desdemona's innocence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/othello - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters