and literary adaptations. [ edit ] Characters Othello , the Moor: A general in the Venetian military. Desdemona , Othello's wife and daughter of Brabantio Iago , Othello's ensign and Emilia's husband. Antagonist. Cassio , Othello's lieutenant. Emilia , Iago's wife and Desdemona's maidservant Bianca , Cassio's lover Brabantio , a