Roderigo

Play

Othello

Summary

A wealthy Venetian gentleman besotted with Desdemona, Roderigo is Iago's chief financial backer and most pliant dupe. Iago bleeds him of jewels and money with promises of access to Desdemona, directing his jealous infatuation as a weapon against both Othello and Cassio. Roderigo's gulled foolishness provides dark comedy in the early acts, but he is ultimately used and discarded — stabbed by Iago when he grows inconveniently suspicious — making him one of the play's clearest illustrations of Iago's utter ruthlessness.

Notable Quotations

"I am not what I am." *(1.1 — Iago's line, spoken in Roderigo's presence and at his expense)*

Cross-references

• Othello — the play
• Tragedies
• character_iago — who manipulates and ultimately murders him
• character_desdemona — his unrequited obsession
• character_cassio — whom Iago directs him to kill