Minor Characters in Acts IV and V

As Shakespeare's Othello the Moor of Venice progresses, we see minor characters becoming more important. For example, we see Bianca becoming a more prominent character through her random small actions. Bianca plays a huge part when she goes to see Cassio about the handkerchief. By her showing up, she plays along well with Iago's plan. The handkerchief becomes the ocular proof that Othello wanted. Also by Bianca saying, "a likely piece of work that you should find in your chamber and not not know who left it there! this is a minx's token, and I must take out the work? There, give it to your hobbyhorse" (Shakespeare, 1431, IV,ii.143-146), Othello, in the background, thought she meant Desdemona for sure. Because of the way Iago has portrayed him, Cassio seems like the man has a lot of women. Othello, then, was not surprised by one of his mistresses showing up.

Roderigo also takes on a much larger role in these acts. He is the first character to stand up to and doubt Iago. He starts to see how sly and villainous Iago truly is. It's been evident to us as the readers that Iago treats him as lowly and subservient. Iago speaks in prose when conversing with him because he doesn't feel he has to speak as sophisticated as iambic pentameter. He makes Roderigo do all the dirty work and took all his money! Roderigo goes ahead and tries to kill Cassio as Iago asks of him, but then later on reveals to the rest of the characters the true man Iago is. Roderigomcouldnbe considered dynamic as well.