He Said, She Said

#3 If I had to choose two characters who seemed to be the protagonist and antagonist in "Othello" I think I would say Othello and Desdemona are protagonists and Iago is the antagonist. Othello's character is a little more complicated however because he does end up killing Desdemona. However, throughout the the whole play Othello really has an inner conflict with himself. He struggles with the thought of Desdemona cheating on him. At the same time though, Iago is trying to turn Othello against Desdemona. It isn't until the last act that the audience actually hears Desdemona defend herself. Obviously, the minor characters serve important roles in this play. It is their characters that provide motives for a lot of the actions in the play. Roderigo serves as Iago's motive for getting rid of Cassio. Iago really wants to kill him in order to get revenge for Cassio becoming lieutenant instead of him, however, Iago convinces Roderigo to do his dirty work. Emilia is another important minor character. Her obedience to her husband Iago ultimately provides the evidence Othello is searching for when accusing Desdemona of being unfaithful. A lot of what the minor characters do or say provides the audience with key information that moves the plot along and provides motives behind what is happening. For example, one of Emilia's biggest roles in the play was giving Iago Desdemona's handkerchief. The audience knew that Iago had planned this because of what Emilia says, "What handkerchief! Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona, That which so often you did bid me steal." III.iii.308-310. Also, Bianca's role in returning the handkerchief to Cassio played a major part in the plot. This story depended on the lies, miscommunication, and deceit of all the characters.