Iago: a Florentine who bears an evil grudge against Othello, believing that Othello has usurped his destiny
Roderigo: Desdemona's unsuccessful suitor who hires Iago to help make his failure a success
Brabantio: a senator of Venice and the father to Desdemona
Othello: a Moor who has attained the rank of General of the Venetian armed forces and who is the newly-wed husband of Desdemona
Cassio: a Florentine and a gentleman who is promoted to lieutenant by Othello
Duke: the Duke of Venice
Senators: senators of Venice
Sailor: he who brings news about the Turkish fleet sailing to Rhodes
Messenger: he who brings news about the Turkish fleet increasing their numbers at Rhodes
Officer: man in charge in conveying the Sailor and the Messenger to the Duke and the Senate
Desdemona: Othello's newly-wed wife and Brabantio's daughter
Montano: Governor of Cyprus who welcomes the Moor and his party and who finds himself inadvertently brawling Cassio
First Gentleman: man attending Montano
Sencond Gentleman: another man attending Montano
Third Gentleman: yet another man attending Montano
Emilia: Iago's shrewish wife who attends to Desdemona
Herald: he who makes a proclamation on behalf of Othello
Clown: a punning servant to Othello and Desdemona
Musician: a less than competent musician
Bianca: a courtesan and Cassio's mistress
Lodovico: a gentleman who is Brabantio's kinsman and Desdemona's cousin
Gratiano: Brabantio's kinsman who, due to Othello's marriage to Desdemona, is effectively Othello's uncle