Explore How Shakespeare Examines the Themes If Jealousy and Deception in Othello the Play and Othello the Character.

An Analysis of Othello by Shakespeare Shakespeare is known for his use of recurring themes throughout his work, including love, death and betrayal. These themes are present in his work of Othello. However, the most fundamental issue is jealousy. The lives of the characthers in Othello are ruined by jealousy from the beginning to the end of the play. The telling of the story is carried out by passion, jealousy, and death. Shakespeare’s Othello reveals devastating tragic inevitability, stunning psychological depth, and compelling poetic depth; the fragility and mysterious power of love, as well as demons of doubt, and how suspicion can be triggered by manipulative villain (Barthelemy 12).

The second event to this process of tragedy is when Iago uses the handkerchief that he had his wife take to create “proof” that Desdemona was cheating on Othello with Cassio. Already ridden with jealousy, Othello demands Iago that he must have “ocular proof” to Desdemona's “deception.” In line with his devilish plan, Iago tells Othello that, “but such a handkerchief—I am sure it was your wife's—did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with” (Shakespeare 1330), knowing full well that the handkerchief was a precious symbol of love between the moor and Desdemona, although he pretended to be oblivious. His plan once again works its “poison” upon Othello as the moor says, “now do I see

Shakespeare’s Othello is a play consistently based on jealously and the way it can destroy lives. One is quick to think this jealously is based on Othello’s lack of belief in Desdemona’s faithfulness to him or his suspensions over Desdemona’s affair with Cassio, Othello’s honorable lieutenant. Upon closer inspection of the jealously that exists throughout the play it becomes clear that his jealously is not the sole start and reason for all of the destruction that occurs. Iago, a good friend of Othello, is not who he appears to be. Iago’s own jealously of those around him pushes him over the edge. He begins to deceive all those who believe he is a true, honorable, and faithful man. Throughout Othello, Iago incites his own jealously in

Analyse how a key relationship was used to comment on the human condition in the written text(s). Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’, set in early Venice, focuses on the key relationship between titular character Othello and his wife Desdemona, to comment on the human condition through the text. The relationship between the married

At the end of Act 1, He gets Cassio to talk to Othello’s wife, Desdemona, to ask for his position back and he begins to point out small things like them whispering. When Cassio exits the scene when Othello approaches, Iago does not hesitate to make his move and mentions it. Asking of Iago’s suspicions, Iago says, “Good my lord, pardon me, Though I am bound to every act of duty I am not bound to that all slaves are free to Utter my thoughts” (138-140). This places Othello in the position of being alarmed because what could be so horrible that this “honest” man would want to keep secret from him. Eventually, Iago comes out with his fake suspicions and Othello somewhat believes it but wants some kind of evidence. Fortunately, Iago’s wife, Emilia gets a hold of Desdemona’s handkerchief and gives it to him. He puts more of his plan into action saying, “in Cassio’s lodging [I] lose this napkin. And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. (331-334). This is enough to convince Othello of Desdemona’s affair with Cassio, enraging him to want to murder the two. Othello decides he will kill his wife, and asks Iago to do the same to

Othello’s mom gave Othello the handkerchief, and told him to give it to his wife if he should be married. This quote indicates that the handkerchief was then given to Desdemona as a precious valuable item and losing it would be a catastrophe like no other. Lynda Boose argues that “[t]he handkerchief that will become to Othello evidence of her lust [where instead it] has always been evidence of exactly the opposite nature” (Boose 270). This indicates that the handkerchief was a sign of her love but will transform into a sign of her adultery.

Iago sees the handkerchief as a way of finally being able to get to Othello. Iago feels that the handkerchief is a symbol of Desdemona’s faith to Othello. By obtaining this symbol of her faith, he is able to deploy his plan of revenge against Othello. Othello discovers that the handkerchief is missing and becomes very angry with Desdemona. When Desdemona looses her handkerchief, Othello believes she is unfaithful. Othello sees Cassio with the handkerchief and accepts it as confirmation of Desdemona's infidelity.

In your view how does Shakespeare’s portrayal of the complex nature of jealousy contribute to the enduring value of Othello? In William Shakespeare’s classic Othello, it has remained relevant for the years since it was written. Not only because of the universal themes seen throughout, but due to its enduring

The tragedy of Othello, written by William Shakespeare, presents the main character Othello, as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man, but because of his insecurities and good nature, he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his peers and alleged friends. The dynamic of Othello’s character significantly changes throughout

The handkerchief plays an important role in the deception of Iago because by allowing Othello to see an item with such value to him, Iago is able to add words of dishonesty and cloud the mind of the Moor to shape his feelings to his desire; this is turn makes Iago plan on killing Desdemona and Cassio and get them out of the picture. Although Iago's initial plan was to get rid of Cassio he does not mind killing Desdemona; in fact Iago does not care who died in the play, he even killed his own wife. Iago' lack of empathy helped him very much in the play since he was able to not care about someone and that in turn helped him nearly achieve what he wanted since the beginning; a sociopath always does at it takes to achieve their goals and Iago was no exception to this mindset.

Iago is the manipulative villain in the play and cause Othello to be jealous. “I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets he has done my office. I know not if’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety” (1.3 430-433). Iago reveals his motivation to destroy Othello as there’s a rumor that Othello is sleeping with his wife, Emilia. This rumor caused only more hatred towards Othello. Later on, Iago had malicious plan which involved to create an illusion of Desdemona and Cassio sleeping with one another. Also, he used the handkerchief as a way to show affair of Desdemona and Cassio’s relationship. “Trifles light as air. Are to the jealous confirmations strong. As proofs of holy writ. This may do something” (3.3.370-372).Handkerchief symbolizes the love of Desdemona and Othello. It shows how much they care for one another. Iago realizes the significance of the handkerchief and takes advantage of it. Iago saying that the handkerchief is in Cassio’s possession shows that Desdemona is faithless. Losing the handkerchief was the push that drove Othello to become a violent and vengeful

The handkerchief missing only stirs the pot for upcoming chaos. According to the magical powers of the handkerchief, to lose it, Othello claims is to lose his love for her. Upon discovering it to be suddenly misplaced, this only continues to benefit Iago, and the revenge he sets to pursue. With the loss of the handkerchief, it only adds more strain onto the marriage of Desdemona and Othello. Throughout the story, the handkerchief is observed to be Iago’s secret weapon for his revenge. With it, Iago is able to double-cross the people that seem to get in his way of his plan (Ardolino 1). However, most is achieved with some unintended help. Many of his set intentions are accomplished with the aid of his charm and, with the help of his wife, Emilia. This is observed when he requests for her to retrieve the handkerchief for him. Although, she isn’t seems quite hesitant of what he asks, considering Desdemona is a close friend, she obeys, despite knowing what she’s really doing for Iago. Emilia only seems to view the handkerchief as a way to satisfy her husband in the hopes of him desiring her. By this, Iago is exposed to only show appreciation and affection towards her if she has anything to provide for him.

Emotions. Emotions show people the best in one another, but they can also emphasize some of worst qualities that individuals possess. Emotions have a way of overpowering even those who try really hard not to let their feelings cloud their judgment. Thoughts and feelings run deep within-day by day, they

Within this play, fundamental questions about humanity, as well as situations, attitudes, and problems that continue to hold strong universal meaning to this day are explored .It shows Shakespeare’s ability to create characters who resemble real life individuals and reflect lifestyles and personalities accurately.  You could not help but be moved by the dark despair and utter wretchedness of Othello’s downfall! Shakespeare has dramatically explored many aspects of the human condition in this play, The Tragedy of

Lily B. Campbell in Shakespeare’s Tragic Heroes definitively categorizes Othello as a “study in jealousy”: