Othello’s tragic demise is commonly perceived to derive from his most undesired character trait, jealousy, which A.C. Othello murders his wife, Desdemona, then takes his own life. Othello’s fate however takes a turn when Desdemona’s father does not accept him, and his manipulative ensign, Iago, proves untrustworthy, convincing Othello that his wife is unfaithful. His military talents have earned him respect and valuable alliances, and he has even won the affections and hand of the “most exquisite” (Act 2, Scene 3) and beautiful Desdemona. Although an outsider, as a Moor in a white society, Othello is now accepted due to his conversion to Christianity. Othello is also a gifted storyteller and has a way with words, sharing his travels and experiences eloquently. This harsh, adventurous, and eventful past shaped him into a “valiant” (Act 1, Scene 3), “brave” (Act 2, Scene 1) and level-headed soldier, and he is now a well-respected, highly ranked member of the Venetian army. He was sold into slavery at a very young age and spent his youth living in army camps. Othello is a Moor, and a celebrated general in the Venetian army. If Roderigo is taken to be a symbol of pure love then the play conveys a dismal view of that love as Roderigo is eventually murdered by Iago without ever being loved by Desdemona.Of one that loved not wisely but too well. It is this love that causes his to unquestioningly perform any task that he is told will bring them closer together. Roderigo's whole motive in the play is too have Desdemona reciprocate the love and affection he feels for her and to this ends that he takes the extraordinary step of vowing to, 'sell all my land', so he can continue to pursue Desdemona, nothing is more important to him than his love for her. Even Desdemona, generally regarded as completely innocent within the play, uses her love and closeness to Othello to attempt to have Cassio re-instated as his lieutenant. So what then is the motive of Roderigo? His character can be taken to represent pure love. I believe the two above pieces of evidence are compelling enough to erode the idea that Roderigo is a mere tool of Iago's will. The final downfall of Iago, when the extent of his crimes are revealed, is due to the discovery of, 'a letter found in the pocket of the slaine Roderigo'. If she will return me my jewels, I will give over my suit, and repent my unlawful solicitation'.

The capacity of Roderigo to undermine Iago through his challenging him is shown when he threatens to perform an action that could easily unravel Iago's entire scheme, 'I will make my self knowne to Desdemona. Until the revelations of Emilia in the final scene Roderigo is the only one to doubt Iago although Iago quickly manages to dispell these doubts. Indeed the play begins with Roderigo challenging Iago over his truthfulness, 'Thou told'st me, Thou did'st hold him in thy hate'. Roderigo is the only character in the play who challenges the truthfulness of Iago and the only one that stands up to the character of Iago.

Roderigo is simply another of Iago's many victims. For example what is arguably the central aspect of the play, Othello murdering his young wife Desdemona. However, this interpretation does an injustice to the manipulative powers of Iago who orchestrates almost all the characters within the play with his persuasions including many characters of a higher standing in Venice than Roderigo who are manipulated into performing actions even more alien to their natures. Readers of the text perhaps wonder, as they contemplate how useless Roderigo is, how he can possibly imagine that assaulting a drunken Cassio will bring him and Desdemona closer together. Roderigo is utterly hopeless as he undertakes any task Iago suggests to him with little persuasion required and seems to have no will of his own. The character of Roderigo is a minor one within the play but, for such a minor character, it provides the basis for several different interpretations.įirst readings of the play give the overwhelming impression that the character of Roderigo is a pathetic, easily manipulated assistant of Iago complicit in Iago's heinous crimes through his own stupidity.

Roderigo othello