The Destructive Nature Of Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

The intense feeling of jealousy is an emotion that the majority of society does not enjoy possessing as it can lead to negative aspirations. Throughout all of Shakespeare’s work, there are multiple themes that society as a whole can relate to. These variety of relatable themes are also present in Othello, with love, loyalty, trust and anger all playing an important role. However, the most prominent theme in Othello, is the destructive nature of jealousy. Othello is a play that is consumed with envy and anger, with the intent for all characters to become equally destroyed by jealousy, which aim Shakespeare completes through the betrayal and manipulations of characters. The development of the destructive nature of jealousy is presented
Shakespeare mainly achieves this theme through the two characters of Iago and Othello. Both of these characters are seen as flawed, but in different ways. By contradicting these two characters, Shakespeare is able to achieve the theme to a greater extent. Iago is a character who is so invested in his plan, he does not see how the fallout might affect him. Othello is the opposite, being so trusting and insecure in his love life that he will believe anything Iago says, and not realize what might be fueled by jealousy. To some extent, Shakespeare uses Iago as a puppeteer, with Othello being the puppet. Both of these characters, get destroyed by jealousy, thus revealing the major theme of Othello. The climax of the destruction begins when Othello goes to kill Desdemona and states, “O perjured , thou dost stone my heart / And mak’st me call what I intend to do / A murder, which I thought a sacrifice!” (Shakespeare 5.2.78-80). The destruction of jealousy is revealed when Othello does not realize the act that he is about to commit, because he is so enraged with jealousy his judgement has been clouded, further establishing the theme of the