It is a common misconception that Roderigo is a lesser character in Othell, and that he plays no major role due to his simple supergoal which he does not achieve , which is to be with Desdemona. by any means necessary. However, Shakespeare's goal for Roderigo, which makes him important to the play, is very different from what Roderigo desires. Roderigo's supergoal is introduced in the first act as we see Roderigo and Iago confront Brabantio about Desdemona's whereabouts. In the first act we also see how much Roderigo longs to be with Desdemona when he says, “I will drown myself incontinently” (I.iii.305). We begin to see the power that Iago has over Roderigo and because of this, Roderigo begins to appear weak and indecisive. This weakness comes from the fact that Roderigo is desperate to be with Desdemona. Roderigo's Achilles heel is his love and desire to be with Desdemona. Roderigo had asked Brabantio for Desdemona before the first act. Even Brabantio regrets not having given Desdemona to Roderigo: “Oh, you would have had her” (Ii174). Iago immediately recognizes Roderigo's fault and begins to take full advantage of him. It's easy to say that Roderigo was the fool of the piece because Iago plays with his emotions, but Roderigo was one of Iago's closest characters. Roderigo You told me that you held him in your hatred. Iago Despise me if I don't. . Three city grandees, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Without a cap; and by the faith of man I know my price; I'm not worth a worse place (Ii7-11) As much as Iago used Roderigo, Roderigo used Iago to try to separate Othello from Desdemona. Roderigo's extreme feelings make him easily manipulated and incapable...... middle of paper ...... a lot about Roderigo's character and what he is willing to do to be with Desdemona. Roderigo never achieves his supergoal because he dies. by the hands of Iago. For this reason, some see Roderigo as weak, but I think this shows how deceptive Iago is and how dedicated Roderigo was to his supergoal. Roderigo went as far as he could to achieve his supergoal, and as he said: "It is stupidity to live when living is torment, and then we have a prescription to die when death is our doctor” (I.iii.307). -310). In the end, Roderigo keeps his promise and dies trying to achieve his supergoal: to separate Desdemona from Othello so that Roderigo can be with her. However, Roderigo serves a greater purpose and fulfills the role Shakespeare assigned to him by being the catalyst for the fallen action that led to the tragic ending..