Cassio, the Lieutenant, in Othello Essay -- Othello essays

Cassio, the Lieutenant, in Othello Michael Cassio, the lieutenant who supposedly stole away Iagos begrudge promotion in Shakespeares Othello, is a strange sort of character. He shows great appreciation of other people he is radiant with truth and delight in and yet he patronizes a prostitute, Bianca. This essay will delve into the character of Cassio. Blanche Coles in Shakespeares Four Giants comments on the character of Cassio In a passing(a) reading of Othello, it may seem that the character of Cassio is not sufficiently well drawn, because, for reasons connected with his portrayal of Iago, Shakespeare delays the full characterization of Cassio until almost the end of the play. However, we have a number of brief revelations of his personality that mark him distinctly in his genuine anxiety for Othellos safety, in his abstaining from taking part in the bold and indicative comments of Iago to the two women as they wait for Othellos ship and, a little later, in his sincere re gret about the loss of his reputation after he has partaken of the wine which Iago has forced upon him. (85-86) Cassio makes his first appearance in the play in Act 1 Scene 2, when he is conducting the official business of the duke of Venice, namely the pass on of the haste-post-haste appearance / Even on the instant of the general because of the Ottoman threat on Cyprus. Brabantios mob briefly delays matters, and then Cassio disappears from the stage until Act 2. He disembarks in Cyprus and graciously announces Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle, / That so approve the Moor After chatting with Montano and other gentlemen of the isle, he welcomes Desdemona, our great captains captain, ashore The ric... ...s dust produces a letter which imports the death of Cassio to be undertook / By Roderigo another emotional revelation for Michael Cassio. Finally, the ultimate emotional blow to the ex-officer comes when Othello stabs himself and dies This did I fear, but thought he h ad no weapon / For he was great of heart. As lord governor of the island of Cyprus now, Michael Cassio has charge of the censure of this hellish villain, / The time, the place, the torture. Lodovico appeals to Cassio to let his justice, not his mercy prevail O, utilise it WORKS CITED Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http//www.eiu.edu/multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos. Coles, Blanche. Shakespeares Four Giants. Rindge, New Hampshire Richard Smith Publisher, 1957.