Character Sketch (Othello ACT IV)

Character Sketch
Othello ACT IV

OTHELLO Terrence Howard
Othello is the play’s protagonist. He is a Moor who everybody believed to be a master of all situations. However he has changed into a revengeful, spiteful, full of hatred, and easily manipulated person when he is told about his wife’s affair. Terrence Howard is a man who has created characters with depth and emotions. He made a pimp into a likeable character with his movie Hustle & Flow and a changing man should be no stretch for him. Terrence can start the film as a man of honor and end the film with a man stripped of his honor. He can easily be liked and easily hated. And that my friend, is a leading actor.








IAGO William Dafoe
Iago is the play’s antagonist. He becomes very revengeful and starts planting lies into Othello’s head when another man is promoted to lieutenant rather than him. William Dafoe is an actor who is no stranger to villains. Playing the Green Goblin in Spiderman made fans all across the world love to hate him and is what earned him this villainous role. His facial expressions, tone of voice, and acting abilities can make the big screen Iago a villain of the ages. He is also a funding member of The Wooster Group, a non profit theater organization that puts on plays for audiences to enjoy. Coincidentally, the next featured play for the Wooster Group is one of Shakespeare’s gems: Hamlet.







DESDEMONA Kate Winslet
Desdemona is Othello’s wife and is the woman accused of having an affair with Cassio. Kate Winslet has defined herself as one of the great actresses of her generation. Coming from a family of stage actors, playing one of Othello’s leading ladies won’t be hard for Ms. Winslet to translate on to the big screen. Kate Winslet is known for her dramatic chops and flawless talent. She can make Desdemona into a dynamic character with her experience in dramas and Shakespeare background. Five Oscar Nominations ain’t too shabby either.








CASSIO Leonardo DiCaprio
Cassio is the root of Iago’s revenge and becomes a piece in Iago’s game. Filling in Cassio’s shoes is one of the greatest actors of his generation: Leonardo DiCaprio. The three time Oscar nominee has played many characters on the big screen including Romeo in William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet. Leonardo DiCaprio’s heartthrob looks can easily make Terrence Howard’s Othello believe the affair Iago is making him believe. Also, reuniting him with his Titanic co-star, Kate Winslet, equals big box office money.








BIANCA Kate Bosworth
Bianca is Cassio’s lover and believes she will get married to Cassio by love and not promise. Kate Bosworth is a young actress who will find no struggle in making Bianca’s virginal views look flawless on screen. Ms. Bosworth’s baby face fits Bianca’s character perfectly because everyone married for promise and not love back in the time of Othello and she still believes she is going to marry for love. She can easily play this character that still believes like a child and not an adult. Casting her in this will no doubt put her back in the limelight and shrug off that dry box office spell she has been experiencing lately.








EMILIA Rachel McAdams
Emilia is Iago’s wife and is the person who defends Desdemona against the adultery accusations. Being Iago’s wife, Emilia needs someone strong and confident to play her and who better than Rachel McAdams. Rachel has easily transformed herself from a snotty high school student to a past lover to an abducted woman on a plane. She has great screen presence and has the ability to take the role of Iago’s wife. As they say in Hollywood, it takes a villain to know a villain and like she proved in Mean Girls she can be pretty evil.








RODERIGO Jack Nicholson
Roderigo is the man who is sent to kill Cassio for his affair with Desdemona. Roderigo has also been in love with Desdemona for quite some time and is delighted with the plan. Jack Nicholson is a man who had garnered twelve Oscar nominations and if that doesn’t speak for itself than what does? He has the looks of a man looking for revenge for a lost love. He has the acting chops to show Roderigo’s anger. And he sure does have the power to kill Cassio and show no remorse. Say hello to nomination number thirteen from Mr. Oscar.








LODOVICO Ryan Gosling
Lodovico is Desdemona’s kinsmen and has a small role in the feature film. Ryan Gosling is known for his indie films and is Hollywood’s latest “It” boy. His acting abilities will come to good use when he shows his disapproval of Othello’s behavior towards Desdemona. Not only will his acting have the critics roaring, but his reunion with ex- flame Rachel McAdams will have the tabloids stirring.