Othello - characters

Question:

"Identify the protagonist(s) and antagonist(s). Are there any foil characters? What dramatic functions are served by the various minor characters? Do they shed light on the actions or motives of the major characters? Do they advance the plot by eliciting actions by others? Do they embody ideas or feelings that illuminate the major characters or the movement of the plot?"

Answer:

The protagonists in "Othello" are the characters of Othello, Cassio, and Roderigo. Roderigo- even though he is trying to go against Cassio and Othello- would be considered a protagonist because he does those things under the influence of Iago's deception. Which brings me to the antagonist, Iago. He is against pretty much every other character in the play and is solely focused on bringing down others in order for personal gain and revenge.

Roderigo could be considered a foil character to Iago because Roderigo values love the most and Iago manipulates those who are around him to accomplish goals that will only benefit himself. Also, he treats his wife like dirt saying, "Sir, would she give you so much of her lips as her tongue she oft bestows on me, you'll have enough" (II i 109). For this same reason, Cassio is a foil character to Iago as well. Cassio greets Desdemona by saying, "Grettings my lady, and may God always be with you" (II i 90). He then proceeds to embrace and kiss her.

In Act I, the Duke - a minor character- shows Othello's integrity and leadership by calling him to help with the war and believing his statement about his marriage to Desdemona. He says to Barbantio, "Your son-in-law is far more fair than black" (I iii 286). This shows that Othello is an honestly good man. Emilia shows that Iago is not a good husband based on the conversation they had with Desdemona about women in general and the compliments (or lack thereof) that Iago would give them.