Character grid and thorough summary of Shakespeare's 'Roderigo in Othello
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Course
Unit 1 - Drama
Institution
PEARSON (PEARSON)
This is a character grid which identifies four key themes in relation to the character of Roderigo in 'Othello', exploring these in detail. These headings make the basis for a thorough essay/exploration of the character and all assessment objectives required in the A level exam are touched upon. He...
Disappointed suitor/ Thwarted lover Young, rich and foolish
Roderigo could be seen as a coward, as he is too afraid to woo Desdemona by himself, continually trusting He has incredibly poor judgement and his actio
in Iago to help him. Roderigo appears childish in his need to seek v
As a disappointed suitor, Roderigo represents the ‘curled darlings’ that Desdemona, providing us with a Foolish as he allows himself to be the puppet i
point of comparison with noble Othello. She rejects the status quo, and Venetian society, and accepts Even though Roderigo has wealth and status, t
Othello’s otherness. He calls Othello ‘thicklips.’ Xenophobic views r
It is his love for Desdemona that Iago is able to manipulate. Roderigo is convinced that if he gives Iago all Even after Iago admits ‘I am not what I am’, R
of his money, Iago will help him win Desdemona’s hand. Repeatedly frustrated as Othello marries manipulated by him.
Desdemona and then takes her to Cyprus, Roderigo is ultimately desperate enough to agree to help Iago Act 1.1- ‘That thou, Iago, who hast had my pu
kill Cassio after Iago points out that Cassio is another potential rival for Desdemona. fact that Roderigo knows Iago is using him for
Act 1.3- ‘I will incontinently drown myself.’ ‘What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so fond, but win over Desdemona, makes him seem even m
it is not in my virtue to amend it.’ He is sick with love, he lets it consume him and weaken him in the Act 1.3- Iago says ‘thus do I ever make my foo
hands of Iago. pleasure by doing so. He is able to manipulate
A03- Usually, wealthy fools in literature are often old, so it is unusual that Roderigo is so young. Like many Ironically from Iago in Act 2.3- ‘Now, my sick f
other Shakespearean characters, it is Roderigo’s lust that makes him so aloof. side out.’ He is aware of how he has Roderigo
A05- Honingmann says that Roderigo plays two important roles. Firstly, ‘Roderigo activates the poisonous ownership of him.
impulses in Iago’. Secondly, ‘Roderigo’s over-mastering, self-destructive desire for Desdemona mirrors A03- Roderigo is representative of Venetian so
Othello’s.’ Desdemona and Othello because he feels he is
A03- Typical Shakespearean fool.
Iago’s victim: Realisation of rehabilitation:
Perhaps like Othello, Roderigo can be seen as both a victim and a villain, corrupted into bad by Iago. Roderigo finally outsmarts Iago by the end of t
He seems confused about his identity, as he’s assertive for one moment then submissive the next. He pocket, pointing to Iago’s involvement in the p
lacks his own voice in the presence of Iago and clearly feels dominated. part redeemed by his letters: "Now here’s ano
Roderigo’s interactions with Iago contribute to our understanding of the presentation of the theme of it seems Roderigo meant to have sent this dam
deception. Iago appears to be incredibly skilled at picking out the flaws and insecurities of other and satisfied him."
characters, whether that be Othello’s fatal flaw of jealousy, or Roderigo’s obsessive lust for Desdemona. In his letters, one said that Roderigo was order
In Act 1.1, Roderigo complies with Iago’s instructions to ‘call up’ Brabantio, and while Iago disappears in Iago, complaining about his evil plan. Roderigo
the darkness, he leaves Roderigo exposed to deal with Desdemona’s father. killed before he got the chance.
Iago is able to speak in fast moving prose, outwitting Roderigo. The tragic death of Roderigo is important in illu
Act 1.3- Iago’s repetition of ‘put money in thy purse’- almost like subliminal brainwashing. By the end of Roderigo with no remorse, killing the characte
the scene, Roderigo says: ‘I’ll sell all my land.’ beginning.
Iago shames Roderigo as a way of manipulating him: Act 1.3- ‘Come, be a man!’ When he dies, Roderigo calls Iago an ‘inhuman
There is a parallel between him and Iago- while Roderigo has been denied the chance to become a suitor imagery of dogs is also used repeatedly to desc
for Desdemona, Iago has been denied his chance to become Othello’s lieutenant. Both have motivation this same imagery just before he kills himself-
towards the Moor, and Iago makes it seem as if they are friends working together: ‘Let us be conjunctive influence.
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