Cassio
English Lit: AQA A Level Othello, topic 7.1.5
Cassio
Michael Cassio is Othello’s newly appointed young lieutenant.
Cassio
- Cassio has been appointed in preference over the longer-serving Iago and this partially motivates Iago to see both him and Othello wronged.
- He is suspected of adultery with Desdemona and so Othello is both suspicious and jealous of him.
Deception
- Despite his apparent success as a military tactician, he is very gullible and believes everything that Iago insinuates.
- He is tricked into starting a brawl with Roderigo.
- In the ‘reputation’ scene he is forced to look at himself and his actions and his character almost disintegrates.
- He becomes another fool like Roderigo—ready to be plucked for Iago’s scheming.
Cassio and Othello
- Cassio and Othello are very similar in certain ways.
- Both depend on a code of honour, but this strength can easily be turned into a flaw.
- Both suffer a collapse of their own personalities, only Cassio’s results in him being maimed.
- Although he is dignified and obviously attractive to Bianca, Cassio realises he has been duped.
- Before committing suicide, Othello apologises to Cassio.
Love
- Cassio is often seen in the play as the woebegone lover, but when he has the possibility of love with Bianca, he appears to reject it.
- Perhaps he considers her too low for a man of his status.
Tragedy
- Cassio’s pretensions do not result in him being killed but he is maimed during events in the tragedy.
- He is also deceived by Iago’s manipulation.
Test yourself on Cassio
What is Cassio's military position?
Why does Iago want revenge on Cassio?