Character Development

in Shakespear's 'Othello'

Shakespear's Othello is a playscript with a series of tragedies caused by the conflict between characters. The protagonist, Othello, is general of the Venetian army who also happens to be a  moor. Being a general who is also black African amongst a population where the majority are Caucasians, Othello faced racial discrimination after marrying Desdemona, daughter of the Venetian senator. Desdemona's father did not approve of his daughter's marriage to Othello as he disliked the idea of his daughter having dark-skinned children as dark skin was considered an unattractive physical trait.
Regardless of the discriminating words Othello have heard towards him and his marriage to Desdemona, Othello kept his marriage and maintained an affectionate husband who trusted his wife dearly.

There are two men whom Othello had close relations with, Iago and Cassio. Cassio was a handsome Venetian whom Othello had given position as lieutenant. Knowing that Cassio was given this position, Iago, the antagonist of the story, was furious. Iago stated that unlike him, an experienced man in the battlefields who had proven himself worthy in front of Othello, Cassio has had no experience in running an army. Yet, it was Cassio who was chosen as lieutenant.

Iago's anger towards Othello and Cassio, was driven by fact that he did was not able to gain position as lieutenant. This lead Iago to act upon his silent rage by planning on getting revenge on both Othello and Cassio.

After observing how Othello's wife, Desdemona, would always behave in a friendly manner towards Cassio, Iago used Desdemona's naturally caring personality to create a scene where Desdemona is being affectionate to Cassio after Othello dismissed him as Lieutenant.