Themes


Othello


vengeance and instead sees himself as an agent of justice. This is reflected in his legalistic language: ‘crime’, ‘perjury’, ‘O perjured woman’. Blinded by his jealousy, Othello smothers Desdemona. Othello, the loving husband who was once a figure of such esteem, is now unrecognisable so pitiful and tormented has he become by the play’s close. The tragedy is compounded by Othello’s guilt and torturous regret:


‘Whip me, you devils,


From the possession of this heavenly sight! Blow me about in winds! Roast me in sulphur! Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire! O Desdemona! Dead Desdemona! – Dead! O! O! O!’ (Act 5, Sc 2).


Iago’s observation that jealous thoughts can ‘Burn like the mines of sulphur’ (Act 3, Sc 3) seems most fitting here. The tragic consequences of jealousy are brought home by Othello’s resulting suicide. The audience watch in pity and fear as human frailty is exposed and the destructive potential of jealousy is revealed.


Jealousy Iago’s jealousy


Bianca and Roderigo are also jealous characters


The theme of jealousy is explored principally though the character of Othello


Jealousy is presented as evolving out of


groundless suspicion


Othello’s self-doubt is shown to enable his jealous passions


Jealousy is revealed as a highly destructive human emotion


§ Othello doubts his own refinement and has internalised the racial prejudices of Venetian society


§ This is exploited by Iago § Othello’s inability to cope with doubt helps him to accept Iago’s suggestions and bolsters his jealous passions


§ Othello’s violent outbursts, diabolic language and eventual murderous action dramatically illustrate the destructive nature of jealousy


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§ Is expressed in three forms: sexual jealousy, career jealousy, personal jealousy


§ May or may not explain Iago’s malevolence in the play


§ Bianca becomes jealous after she sees Cassio with the spotted handkerchief


§ Roderigo is in love with Desdemona and is therefore jealous of Othello. His jealousy is expressed through his racism


§ Othello’s transformation from loving husband to jealous avenger illustrates the horrendous consequences of jealousy


§ This idea is suggested by both Emilia and Iago § Othello’s story dramatically illustrates this concept


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