A well-educated man from Florence who has recently been appointed Othello's second in command, his lieutenant
Cassio
Charm, charisma, upbringing, and handsome looks
Views himself as a ladies' man
Loyal and devoted follower of Othello
Iago resents Cassio
For his promotion, believing he should have been chosen over the inexperienced Cassio, and for his suave, respectable persona
How Iago uses Cassio
1. Gets Cassio fired by getting him into a drunken brawl
2. Implies Cassio has slept with Othello's wife, Desdemona
Cassio and Bianca
Cassio is seeing one of Cyprus' courtesans, Bianca; she loves him, but he doesn't love her, and mocks her behind her back
Cassio
Foil for both Othello and Iago: he is white, upper class, and well-spoken, all things that either or both men envy
Symbolises the authority of rich, white men in society and the anxieties felt by outsiders
His existence is a catalyst for Iago's behaviour and an aggravator for Othello's jealous insecurity
Shakespeare exposes the facades Cassio uses to protect himself, depicting him as someone who isn't as honourable and brave as he wants others to believe
The Reputable Scholar
Shakespeare depicts Cassio as an intelligent, well-educated man from Florence, associated with intellect, progress, and the Renaissance
The Push-Over
Cassio is easily manipulated by Iago, giving into temptation and losing his temper despite his alleged intelligence and logic
The Honourable Gentleman
Cassio is motivated by a deep-rooted sense of honour, chivalrous to women, and devoted to Othello
The Dishonest Knave
Cassio leads on Bianca, a local courtesan, calling her "sweet love" to her face though he mocks her behind her back
The Coward
Cassio is afraid and incapable without the title of lieutenant, afraid to speak up for himself and instead asks Desdemona to plead his case
The Con
Cassio's chivalrous facade hides his proclivity for mocking and exploiting women, and he takes advantage of Desdemona's generosity
Cassio and Othello
Cassio respects Othello the most, and is devastated when he falls out of favour, fixated on regaining his title and winning Othello's love
Cassio and Iago
Iago decides to use Cassio's charismatic, suave persona, elitism, favouritism, and success with women against him
Cassio and Desdemona
Cassio admires Desdemona, thinks she is beautiful, and respects her as a reputable member of the upper classes, but is willing to take advantage of her generosity
Cassio and Bianca
Cassio's relationship with Bianca is built on dishonesty and disrespect, as he feigns affection and intimacy while mocking and demeaning her
Cassio, like all of the other male characters in the text, is used by Shakespeare to reinforce the patriarchal culture within which the play is set
Misogyny
The hatred or dislike of women
If the misogynistic view of women we see portrayed were only voiced by one character in isolation, the effect wouldn't be as great as having this perspective come from all sides
By having background or minor characters such as Cassio bring up these same ideals in casual conversation, Shakespeare is able to create a sense of being surrounded by misogyny
There is no escape from the superiority of masculinity, and as such the women on stage - and in the audience - are struck with a feeling of claustrophobia
Cassio sees himself as a 'ladies' man'
Flirting with women and generally charming them
Cassio hides his relationship with Bianca because he doesn't want his "general", Othello, to "see [him] womaned"
To be "womaned"
To be burdened or subjected to something emasculating like love or need
Cassio's secrecy surrounding his relationship may reflect wider societal attitudes towards romance and women: as a high ranking officer, Cassio may not want to be associated with something emasculating like love or need, not least with a prostitute
If people knew he was succumbing to sexual urges, they may think less of him and doubt his ability to command
Cassio calls Desdemona "a maid that paragons description and wild fame [...] the divine Desdemona", whereas of Bianca he says, "Poor caitiff! [...] Poor rogue! [...] I marry her? What! A customer!"
Cassio views Desdemona with awe and reverence while treating Bianca as a joke, mocking and patronising her; this contrast implies men judge women by their social standing
Cassio's outright dismissal of the idea of marrying Bianca emphasises the exploitation of women, particularly sex workers, as they were regarded as sexual objects
Cassio describes Desdemona as "the riches of the ship", objectifying her outright with hyperbole that resembles Renaissance love poetry
Desdemona is another material good in this capitalist society. Shakespeare argues that misogyny doesn't dissipate as you move up the class ladder - it merely changes form
Cassio uses Desdemona in a way akin to his use of Bianca, using her to represent his "suit" with Othello so that he can regain Othello's favour and be reinstated as lieutenant
Reputation is a big part of Venetian life within the play. It decides who gets power and who gets to keep it, who to know and who to avoid, who is respectable and who is immoral
Cassio's character sits at the heart of this: throughout the play, he is fixated on his reputation and what other people think of him
When Cassio loses his lieutenancy, he is devastated because of the sense of public shame he feels
Cassio says, "Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial"
Reputation
Something that can be "lost", the most valuable thing a person owns
Shakespeare portrays Cassio's belief that respectability is the barrier to animalistic barbarity
Cassio is fixated on becoming lieutenant again but isn't taking any steps to make amends with Othello or prove his commitment; instead, he charges others with the responsibility
Iago successfully convinces Othello that Cassio is crooked and deceitful, thus ruining his reputation without Cassio's true actions factoring in