How do we know that Roderigo is Shakespeare’s own invention?
There is no corresponding role for Roderigo in Cinthio’s ‘Un Capitano Moro’
M. D. Faber and Alan F. Dilnot on Iago’s need for Roderigo
‘the sense of power, of mastery, that Iago obviously derives from gulling Roderigo…is closely connected with Iago’s unconscious misgivings about his own masculinity [and] with the homosexual side of his personality’
i.e. the pleasure Iago derives from playing with Roderigo is linked with fears regarding his own masculinity and homosexuality
Estelle W. Taylor on the audience’s reaction to Roderigo
‘we cannot sympathize with the Roderigo, who upon realizing the treachery of Iago, condemns him’
Professor John McRae on Roderigo’s comic purpose
Emphasises the importance of Roderigo being played as a comic, love sick fool – he is meant to make the audience laugh
Aerol Arnold on Brabantio forcing Desdemona to choose
‘by inventing an action in which Brabantio forces Desdemona to choose Othello publicly, Shakespeare makes clear that Desdemona chose freely and proudly the one who was to kill her’
What literary tradition does Brabantio conform to?
Conforms to a literary tradition of fathers whose daughters betray them – Desdemona’s seeming lack of concern regarding her betrayal of her father is one of her essential flaws
