209). James KonicekNarrator, Michael WitmoreDirector, Folger Shakespeare Library Cassio is a young Florentine officer in Venice's army. His presence and bearing, as previously noted, denote a majesty and nobility that is unfound in the common man, as noted by his subjects and subordinates. Both men, too, have wounded reputations, but the different ways they choose to handle their situation shows the foil technique playing beautifully. Cassios heritage and background, by contrast, remain a mystery; all one knows of him is gained from Iagos description of him as a Florentine who knows little of his trade and who holds a mistress (I, 1, 20). Trouble is a-brewing. As they exit, the handkerchief drops unnoticed by either of them. His treatment of women depicts a slovenly attitude with romance, one that thinks of women as more of a plaything or passing fancy; this is highly contrasted with Othellos legitimate love and appreciation for women on the whole. While Othello has to go back to Venice to get punished for killing his wife, Cassio gets to take his (military) position in Cyprus. Cassio serves as a foil to Othello in this manner because though each man has an injured ego and position in the Venetian world, Othello remains focused on the injury itself, no matter how valid it is, dwelling only on the hurt that Desdemonas faithlessness caused him; Cassio, comparatively, is quick to forgive the injury of Othells dismissal and instead pleads his case only as a loyal servant of his general. Home | Current Issue | Blog | Archives | One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, A fellow almost damned in a fair wife, That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows. Othello - Entire Play | Folger Shakespeare Library Iago alleges that Cassio one night talked in his sleep about making love to Desdemona and that Cassio once wiped his beard with the lost handkerchief. Walker, V. (2010). 2023 Student Pulse. His character also balances the morality and tone of the play in a negative aspect: while Othello shows a genuine respect for his wife, Desdemona, Cassio - though for the most part, a gentleman - displays a lack of true respect and commitment to women as a whole, especially his mistress Bianca, revealing the one major flaw in his character. Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse 2 (02), http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=163, WALKER, V. 2010. CassioThomas Keegan 4.1 Cassio comes in and sees Othello in the middle of a fit. About The Journal | Submissions Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse [Online], 2. Like many of the other characters in Othello, Cassio - another of Iago's victims - can be viewed from different perspectives. While intelligent, he is not cunning, and Iago easily ensnares the unwitting Cassio in a plot to convince Othello that Desdemona has cheated on him with Cassio. Then Bianca comes in and throws the handkerchief back in Cassio's face; she's sure it's from some other woman, and who does he think he is!? (Othello, overhearing, thinks they're discussing Desdemona.) 3.1 Iago goes to Emilia and asks to be taken to Desdemona. As he waits, Bianca, his lover, appears. DesdemonaJanie Brookshire He warns Othello against becoming jealous of Desdemona. Analyze the character of Michael Cassio in ''Othello'' by William Shakespeare. As he waits, Bianca, his lover, appears. His first entrance on the stage presents him as a wise man, a leader whose experiences have made him all the more observant and patient with the world around him. Returning home from Biancas one evening before taking up his new position, he is set upon by a Venetian he does not know, and badly wounded. Matthew M. Nielson andSound Lab StudiosSound Design Iago acknowledges to Roderigo that Cassio knows not the division of a battle (I, i, 23), is without practice [in] all his soldiership (27), and is in, the opposite vein, a philosophizer, a great arithmetician (19). 1.2 Cassio shows up with a message to Othello from the Duke: get over here. BiancaZehra Fazel. Support us to bring Shakespeare and his world to life for everyone. Cassio's innocence and trust that other people will see his virtue makes him a parallel character to Desdemona. Cassio approaches her, but she must now, because of Othellos anger, postpone her efforts on his behalf. When sober, however, he is friendly with everyone, though he compares people to what he has known in Florence. Iago assures him it's a normal thing and asks to talk to him later. Othello then appoints Iago to the lieutenancy. Summary Act V: Scenes i & ii Summary: Act V, scene i Iago and Roderigo wait outside the brothel where Cassio visits Bianca. Other parts were played by members of the cast. Iago suggests that Cassio turn to Desdemona to convince Othello to re-hire him. Cassio then acts as an expansion of this similarity to Othello in the final scene; Othellos sense of justice has been manipulated and disintegrates into a desperate sacrifice of the one he loves to a perverted justice that has been twisted by the evil Iago. As Cassio is allowed to reveal the truth, one sees Othellos admirable traits being transferred to the young lieutenant who is now granted full supremacy over the region in Othellos place. Our doors are reopening in Fall 2023! He is horrified when, soon after, he discovers the suspicions Othello has had of him and the extent of Iagos villainy. Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse, 2(02). Othellos is also a very self-controlled character. Desdemona pleads to Othello on Cassio's behalf. Othello questions what evil his sense of duty and justice will lead him to, whereas Cassio remains determined to keep a good and wholesome reputation amongst the Venetian court, and especially in the eyes of his dear general (V, ii. Available: http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=163. It is left to him to decide what punishments will be inflicted on the man. Othello Act V: Scenes i & ii Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes Cassio comes back and jokes with Iago about Bianca and how needy and ridiculous she is. 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The Folger Shakespeare Library and our publishing partner,Simon & Schuster Audio, hope you enjoy these excerpts from our audio performance of Shakespeares Othello. Desdemonas interview with Cassio is cut short by the arrival of Othello. Othello has chosen him to be his lieutenant. This observation demonstrates that these three main traitsgrandeur, self-control, and nobilityare key to understanding Othello's complex character, and even more helpful in understanding the contrasts between him and his subordinates. Like Othello, Cassio finds himself pitted against a slight on his reputation, but unlike Othello, Cassio pleads only the truth: that he never intentionally injured his beloved captain. He can only neglect her rather than think of marrying her. Discover Shakespeares stories and the world that shaped them. Desdemona, still actively seeking to have Cassio reinstated, is worried about the loss of her handkerchief. Michael Cassio as a Foil to Shakespeare's Othello. Emilia picks it up and gives it to Iago, who has often asked for it. Cassio. Cassio leaves hastily in order to avoid speaking with Othello. But he slips into the role of a foil character through his similarities as well as his differences. Charlie Pilzer andAirshow MasteringRecording Robert RichmondDirector New York: The Macmillan Company, 1949. He is a gallant and polite gentleman who attracts women's attention. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. The hardships of his enslavement and the experiences of war have made him a calculating, reserved leader who looks at a situation from every angle, who never acts rashly or without understanding all sides. Cassio - PlayShakespeare.com He's grateful, but slinks away when he sees Othello coming back. 2010. He is very friendly to them both and kisses Emilia hello . A prostitute Bianca sincerely lovers him. Othello then appoints Iago to the lieutenancy. Iago then leaves, although Roderigo asks him not to go too far in case he needs help killing Cassio. Even when his reputation is at stake, Othello remains calm and calculating, even to the detriment of his wife; when accused of betraying Branbantios trust and stealing away Desdemona, Othello reacts calmly and without question to the interrogation of the Venetian council: Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it / Without a prompter. Othello is convinced by this proof and vows to kill Desdemona; Iago agrees to kill Cassio. Cassio, another nonce t victim in this strange perversion of Iagos hatred, has a chance - unlike the poor Desdemona - to redeem himself in Othellos eyes. The Folger Shakespeare Othello audiobook is available on a wide variety of audiobook platforms. 1.1 Iago announces that Othello has recently chosen Cassio for his second-in-command. Othello, hearing Cassio cry out, thinks that Iago has killed him, and departs to murder Desdemona. Advertisement Cassio arrives with orders for Othello: Othello is to meet with the duke and senators of Venice about a Turkish invasion of the Venetian colony of Cyprus. The main reason Iago gives for plotting to destroy Othello is a suspicion that Othello may have had an affair with Emilia. In the play, Cassio is a young and handsome lieutenant under Othello 's command who becomes one of Iago 's several victims in a plot to ruin Othello. Cassio approaches her, but she must now, because of Othello's anger, postpone her efforts on his behalf. Cassio has physical beauty and grace; Othello has calculating finesse and wisdom. Spencer, Theodore. Katharine PittProduction Assistant The fact that he is a soldier in a high court suggests that he is not of a royal or noble bloodline but a man who had to earn his reputation and favor in the eyes of those he served. Characterisation Cassio Othello: Advanced - York Notes Academically trained, he has had little if any real wartime experience. Learn about the building renovation and start planning your visit. Othello: Questions & Answers | SparkNotes Othello is a king, no argument. Cassio falls and shouts for help. Apparently he liked the pattern on it so much that he wanted Bianca to copy it. Updated: 02/26/2022 As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice. How does Iago use Bianca to trick Othello? Cassio, in the end, seems to represent the better man, the higher sophisticate in Othello's mind than his own self. Cassio, ever the complement to Othellos characteristics and personality, has the final victory in the twisted lie of Iagos making, resulting in a victory of good over evil. Harold Bloom goes so far as to say that Othello has a touch of Shakespeares Julius Caesar in himthere is an authentic nobility in the language of his soul (Bloom 445). Shakespeare builds many differences into his hero Cassio in Othello by William Shakespeare - Study.com More than a spinsterunless the bookish theoric, Wherein the togd consuls can propose. He holds his reputation to be his highest worth, and is crestfallen when he loses it and his position over a foolish drunken quarrel whose start he cannot even remember. By the end of the play, he has realized that Iago is responsible for Desdemona's death, and he helps Othello understand Iago's treachery. The quote shows that Cassio is not looking to make trouble in any one's marriage, or cause problems for Desdemona. Where will you that I go / To answer this charge? (I, i, 83-85). Is all his soldiership. Both men serve as loyal soldiers of the Venetian crown, but Cassio seems to represent the impishness of youth, the suave, debonair, and eye-catching gallantry that attracts lady folk to military men, whilst Othello represents the wisdom, experience, and backbone - both the brains and brawn - of any armys foundation. Cassio certainly acknowledges her beauty, but his comments remain respectful and he notes that Desdemona is a virtuous and loyal woman who always behaves appropriately. Cassio. In Act I Scene 1 we are offered a belittling portrait of him by the envious ensign; he is an inexperienced soldier, a mere arithmetician (I.1.18) who has been promoted beyond his deserving. When Iago first hints at Desdemonas unfaithfulness, Othello first seeks out ocular proof before making any judgments or broaching the subject with his wife. "Michael Cassio as a Foil to Shakespeare's Othello." Anthony CochraneComposer Othello - Characters in the Play | Folger Shakespeare Library Shakespeare and the Nature of Man. 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