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"Willow" is the song Desdemona is singing as she gets ready for bed the night before Othello kills her. It is a song about a woman who is betrayed by her husband. (0:46-1:16)

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Othello: Othello is the main protagonist. He is a prestigious man, and an Army commander. He has just recently married Desdemona. After Iago convinces him that Desdemona is unfaithful towards him with Cassio, he is filled with anger and jealousy. He then begins to love and hate Desdemona at the same time. He is in love with her body, but hates her soul. He realizes he has been tricked too late, after he murders Desdemona, he commits suicide.

Iago: Iago is the main antagonist. He is Othello's ensign and is very manipulative. He gets everyone to believe he is their ally but uses their trust in him against them. He thinks the easiest way to get promoted is to get Cassio, Othello's Lieutenant, fired. He convinces Othello that Cassio is sleeping with Desdemona by planting her stolen handkerchief in Cassio's room. Iago is later caught and is subject to a life of prison and torture.

Cassio: Cassio is Othello's Lieutenant and is also the victim of Iago's plan. He is an honest and hard working soldier.

Desdemona: Desdemona is Othello's beautiful wife. She betrays her father to be with him. She dearly loved Othello and is confused to find that he hates her. Se does what she can but Othello ends up killing her at the end.

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Green-eyed Monster | A scene from Othello, 3.3

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"Green-eyed monster" ... perhaps one of the most popular phrases Shakespeare ever wrote. Iago (played by Ian Merrill Peakes) says it to Othello (Owiso Odera) in Act 3, scene 3 of Othello. Shakespeare's drama reveals the power of manipulation as Iago undermines Othello in a deadly game of betrayal.

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Tragic Flaw: Othello, the protagonist, has one tragic Flaw. Othello is characterized as being a very noble, honorable and good man. He, however, is consumed by jealousy. A weakness which Iago recognizes and attacks. Othello at first disbelieves the rumors Iago shares with him, but as the play progresses, he becomes more and more obsessed with whether or not Desdemona is being unfaithful, and by the end, he is driven mad by it. When he recognizes his flaw, and is told that Desdemona was truly faithful, and that her and Cassio never slept together, it is too late as he as already murdered her. Overwhelmed by grief and disgust for what he has done, he says, "Soft you, a word or two before you go. I have done the state some service, and they know ’t. No more of that. I pray you, in your letters, When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate,Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely, but too well. Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought, Perplexed in the extreme. Of one whose hand, Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away Richer than all his tribe. Of one whose subdued eyes,Albeit unused to the melting mood,Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees Their medicinal gum. Set you down this." He then takes his own life with a dagger through the chest.

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Jealousy: Jealousy plays a major role in Othello, as it's effects on the character is what drives them insane, and what influences a majority of their actions. It shows the dangerous power of human emotions, suspicions and negative thoughts. The characters in the book are drove to murder and fight, without being provoked by any violence, and without being physically harmed. In Act 3, Scene 3, the villain of the story, Iago, says, "Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger,But, oh, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er Who dotes, yet doubts— suspects, yet soundly loves!" This quote perfectly illustrates the anxiety and pain that prolonged and intense jealousy can cause, which is felt by all the characters in the book, and makes it very relate-able as I am sure we have all felt this before.

The Power of Ideas: Iago, the villain in Othello, uses ideas to manipulate, torture and ultimately kill the characters in the play. He is notoriously evil because he does not rely on physical strength or pure power for the wicked way in which he tricks the protagonist, but instead he manipulates them by planting ideas inside their heads, and then watching it devour them as doubt and suspicions grow. In Act 3, Scene 3, Iago says to himself, "The Moor already changes with my poison. Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons Which at the first are scarce found to distaste, But with a little act upon the blood Burn like the mines of sulfur." This quote shows how he uses ideas to make those around him conform to his will.

Manipulation: Othello demonstrates how powerful and destructive a tool manipulation can be. This is what Iago is doing constantly throughout the play, and is the way he is able to cause the deaths of so many. Partially the reason his methods are so effective is because of everyone's great trust in him, and how much faith Othello has in him. In Act 1, Scene 3, Iago says, "The Moor is of a free and open nature That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, And will as tenderly be led by th' nose As asses are."