Othello “The Moor” vs. “Honest” Iago Characters within a story are meant to have their own tale, just as the characters in one’s lives have their own stories of how they came to be. William Shakespeare, the modern father of the Drama, understood this concept all too well when developing his complex, yet relatable characters. In his master works Othello, each character has their socially impacting story line with their own effect on the overall plotline that help shape the complex Venetian society in which the play is set. With their friendship at the root of evil deeds, Othello and Iago help define the writing in the play: love for one self before that of a friend. With Othello’s honest friendship, and Iago’s piercing betrayal, they help mold the storyline told in this Venetian world. With his triumph on the battlefield, Othello is sought after by Dukes and Senator, and well admired and respected within the Venetian community. He is considered an outsider from his peers, and the community based on his African descent. All the success came at the price of Othello spending his childhood under slavery, then joining the military at a young age in order to gain his presence within society. Shakespeare exemplifies this quality by showing a separation from the other characters, and usually referring to Othello in racial slurs such as “the Moor”, and references to his exotic body such as “the thick-lips” and “black.” All these strategies amplify the feeling throughout the play that fuels Othello’s love for Desdemona, and Iago’s betrayal to nearly all the characters. Othello main action towards the movement of the storyline is his love for Desdemona. From the opening scene, Roderigo was the actual suitor for her love, but Othello eloped with her after her father invited him into their home. This betrayal to her father Brabantio amplified the love between the two