Cassio
N. Brennan
Sample Questions
O ‘While Cassio is an admirable gentleman,
his weaknesses contribute in no small way
to the tragic death of Desdemona.’ Discuss
O Discuss the role of Cassio in the play.
Cassio
*Well educated & Well spoken
* Handsome
* Florentine
* Courteous & mannerly
*Ladies man
*Loyal
*Gallant
*Weak-willed
*Idealistic
*Capable
*Trusting *Refined
Role
O Highlights Othello’s good qualities
O Highlight’s Desdemona’s essential
goodness
O Plausible/credible suitor for the supposed
affair with Desdemona
O Provides partial motive for Iago’s act of
revenge : lieutenant
O Highlights Iago’s ability to manipulate others
General points
O Cassio unwittingly plays a fundamental role
in Iago’s malicious plans. He is an ‘honest
fool’ and Iago exploits his weakness, with
dramatic and destructive consequences.
O Respectful and humble Cassio is seen as
being the perfect suitor for Desdemona, his
language and mannerisms are polished. He
greets the women in Cyprus with charm and
affection.
General points
O Desdemona in particular is treated in a
respectful and venerable way, Cassio refers
to her in glowing terms, describing her as
one who ‘paragons description’. It is this
noble and courteous nature that highlights
Iago’s degrading view of women, whose
purpose it merely ‘To suckle fools and
chronicle small beer’
General points
O Cassio is a true friend to Othello, he knows from
the outset of the play about the relationship
between Othello and Desdemona.
O When Othello is at sea, Cassio shows great
concern about the Generals welfare.
O He is distraught at having disappointed Othello
and wants to make amends.
O At the close of the play Cassio’s final words
illustrate the depth of love and respect he still
bears Othello, despite all that has occurred ‘For
he was great of heart’
General points - weaknesses
O Reputation as a ladies man, his relationship
with Bianca, a harlot does nothing to
improve this view. Hence why the innocent
caring gesture of greeting Desdemona with
a kiss on the hand is so easily misconstrued
by Iago as a sinister sign of lust.
O While Cassio’s noble nature cannot be seen
as a flaw, we must be aware of how Iago
cleverly uses this observation to his
advantage.
General points - weaknesses
O Cassio desires to please everyone – Othello,
Desdemona, Iago etc.
O Despite admitting that he has ‘unhappy
brains for drinking’ Cassio continue to drink
as he is persuaded by Iago, he does not
want to be seen as ungrateful or
displeasing.
General points - weaknesses
O Cassio lacks patience. Immediately he sets
out to restore his position and bond with
Othello.
O Cassio plays right into Iago’s hand by
pleading with Desdemona to beseech
Othello on his behalf. ‘Ha I like not that’ Iago
uses these secret encounters to inflame
Othello’s jealousy and set out on the
monstrous path.
General points - weaknesses
O Cassio further enables Iago’s evil schemes
when he inadvertently discusses Bianca in
less than glowing terms ‘bauble’. Like
Othello, Cassio too adopts the rhetoric of
Iago as he becomes ensnared in Iago’s web
of deceit.
O Othello mistakenly believes that Cassio is
referring to Desdemona and combined with
Iago’s other insinuations, Cassio unwittingly
seals Desdemona’s fate.
Summation
O Cassio is at once a courteous gentleman
and an ‘honest fool’. He highlights Othello’s
noble qualities and Desdemona’s natural
beauty yet allows himself to become a pawn
in Iago’s grand and malevolent schemes.
O He tries too hard to be like by all, his finer
qualities are used against him by the
formidable Iago and hence Cassio
contributes to the tragic and unnecessary
death of Desdemona.