# Roderigo — Othello character guide

> Roderigo in Othello by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0000-othello

## Snapshot

A wealthy Venetian gentleman who has been paying Iago to help him win Desdemona, and who cannot stop believing the money will eventually work.

## Who they are

Roderigo opens the play furious that Desdemona has married the Moor, and Iago immediately redirects that fury into a street-side alarm at Brabantio's door. He is a fool in the technical sense — a man whose purse and desires are both open to anyone with a plan — but his persistence gives Iago a ready instrument. Every scheme Iago hatches needs a dupe, and Roderigo volunteers.

## Relationships

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

_social_

Desdemona is the object of Roderigo's unrequited infatuation, which Iago exploits for his own ends.

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

_social_

Desdemona is the object of Roderigo's unrequited infatuation, which Iago exploits for his own ends.

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

_social_

Desdemona is the object of Roderigo's unrequited infatuation, which Iago exploits for his own ends.

## In the story

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

Upset that Iago kept Desdemona's elopement secret; helps Iago by alerting Brabantio to the marriage.

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

Accompanies Brabantio in the confrontation.

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

Expresses despair over Desdemona's marriage and threatens to drown himself; Iago convinces him to instead pursue Desdemona with money.

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

Agrees to Iago's plan to provoke Cassio, hoping to win Desdemona's favor.

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

Complains about his wasted money and rough treatment, still pursuing Desdemona.

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

Confronts Iago about unfulfilled promises, is persuaded to ambush Cassio.

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

Wounds Cassio but is then killed by Iago.

## Links

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