Characters


Cassio


Overly Values His Reputation and Appearance Cassio’s drunken behaviour at the brawl causes him to deeply regret tarnishing his reputation. As a mannerly gentleman, he values how he is regarded by his peers: ‘Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial’ (Act 2, Sc 3). Cassio considers reputation to be the most important aspect of a civilised man; without it he feels reduced to a ‘bestial’ state. Like Othello, Cassio’s concern with reputation and appearances points to flaws in his character.


His courteous behaviour and gallantry illustrate his finesse, but Cassio is overly concerned with pleasing those around him. We first see this when Cassio foolishly allows Iago to ply him with alcohol. Cassio is keen to appear as a man among men, and once he learns that ‘The gallants desire it’ (Act 2, Sc 3) he drinks enthusiastically.


After he is disgraced for his drunkenness, Cassio rushes headlong into pleading with Desdemona


to petition Othello on his behalf without thinking about how this may be perceived. Cassio’s concern for his reputation makes him imprudent and impatient. This helps Iago to provoke Othello’s jealousy. Finally, Cassio unwisely engages with Iago in a disparaging mockery of Bianca. Despite the fact


that he is Bianca’s lover and calls her ‘sweet Bianca’, Cassio has no scruples about denigrating her just to impress Iago. He labels her a prostitute and laughs at her expense. Cassio’s need to be liked and to appear amiable leaves him vulnerable to Iago’s manipulations.


Loyal However, despite his flaws, Cassio does remain loyal to Othello. We see his heartfelt concern when Othello is lost at sea:


‘Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle, That so approve the Moor. O, let the heavens Give him defence against the elements, For I have lost us him on a dangerous sea’ (Act 2, Sc 1).


Cassio appears committed to Othello as he looks forward to his safe arrival: ‘Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits / And bring all Cyprus comfort! (Act 2, Sc 1). After Cassio disgraces himself during the brawl, he expresses remorse for his drunkenness and


is sincerely ashamed of dishonouring Othello: ‘I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer’ (Act 2, Sc 3). Cassio’s loyalty never wanes, not even when he learns that Othello conspired with Iago to have him murdered. Cassio merely protests mildly: ‘Dear general, I never gave you cause’


(Act 5, Sc 2).


Cassio’s great admiration for Othello is expressed in the play’s final moments as he laments the loss of Othello for ‘he was great of heart’.


Cassio


§ Refined gentleman § Overly values his reputation § Loyal


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