Emilia Emilia's relationship with Iago really seems like a marriage made in hell.

Iago constantly mocks and disrespects her Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds. (2.1.112) Despite this, Emilia seems eager to please him. She steals Desdemona's handkerchief in the hope that Iago will appreciate her for once. "I nothing but to please his fantasy," she says as she does so (3.3.299). It seems like Emilia is aware of Iago's thirst for power and wishes she could gratify it. She asks Desdemona, "Who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for't" (4.3.74) Bianca Bianca is a Venetian courtesan who is in love with Cassio It is a creature that dotes on cassio (4.1.94) Because Bianca is a courtesan in a city renowned for prostitution and promiscuity, she's a foil to the chaste and ever-faithful Desdemona. Othello, however, doesn't recognize the difference between these women he's persuaded that Desdemona is cheating even though there's no real proof. This speaks to a much larger issue in the play, which is that all three women are accused at some point or another of being promiscuous, which we talk about more in "Gender." Iago You dont really know why he has it out for Othello. In the first scene, he claims to be angry at Othello for having passed him over for the position of lieutenant (I.i. 732). At the end of Act I, scene iii, Iago says he thinks Othello may have slept with his wife, Emilia: It is thought abroad that twixt my sheets / He has done my office (I.iii.369370). Iago mentions this suspicion again at the end of Act II, scene i, explaining that he lusts after Desdemona because he wants to get even with Othello wife for wife (II.i.286). he is prepared to ruin Othellos life despite his acknowledged goodness. The Moor howbet that I endure him not- Is of a constant, loving noble nature, And I dare that hell prove to Desdemona A most dear husband. (Iago, Act 2 scene 1, Line 287-290)

Rodergio is plainly Iagos puppet, he gives Iago money that thou,Iago who hast had my purse (1.1.2) He is easily manipulated by Iago and gets talked into doing things for him and that you would have me to do(4.2.228) Roderigo finally gets wise to Iagos manipulation of him Everyday thou daffst me with some device Iago (Roderigo, Act 4 Scene 2, Line 180) but he is again convinced by the villain to follow through the plan to kill Cassio despite his misgivings; I have no great devotion to the deed, And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons. Tis but a man gone. Forth my sword he dies (Roderigo Act 5 Scene 1, Line 8-10)

Othello Throughout the play Othello stays away from all the happenings that concern him. Hes away when Iago and Rodrigo are talking about him; his ship is late to Cyprus. His name was not even mentioned until scene 3 act 1. Othello will stand apart while Cassio and Iago supposedly discuss
Desdemona in Act 4, scene 1; and Othello will assume that Cassio is dead without being there when the fight takes place in Act 5, scene 1. Othellos status as an outsider is probably why hes so easy for Iago to fool.

The venetians trust Othello enough to be in charge of their military and to die for them, but because of his race he is not expected to interact socially. Rude am I in my speech, / And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace (I.iii.8182)
Othello says that when speaking to the duke about Desdemona, hes only saying to appease the duke and senator. I mean throughout his speech hes so elegant and polite.

Desdemona
Desdemona is at times a submissive character; it shows the most when she wants to take credit for her own murder to save Othello. In response to Emilias question, O, who hath done this deed? Desdemonas final words are, Nobody, I myself. Farewell. / Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell (V.ii.133134). The play, then, shows Desdemona contradictorily as a modest, faithful wife and as a bold, independent personality. This contradiction may be on purpose, meant to show the way Desdemona herself feels after defending her choice of marriage to her father in Act 1, scene 3, and then almost immediately being put in the position of defending her fidelity to her husband. She begins the play as a very

independent person, but midway through she must struggle to convince Othello that she is not too independent.