Theme Of Poison In Othello

It is not scary to have an idea, but it is scary when you are totally controlled by an idea. In Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago gets the idea in his head, which poisons his mind and leads to his jealousy, eventually cause the death of Roderigo, Desdemona and Othello. Poison is used to damage or kill something. Shakespeare uses poison in Otello to show the reader the progress of destruction done by Iago’s words and actions.
In the beginning of the play, when Iago talks to Roderigo, he explains that he is jealous to Othello, the Moor, gets a higher position than him. Again in Act 2 scene 1, Iago says “For that I do suspect the lusty Moor hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards”(2.1.317-319) to restates that he thinks that Othello takes his position. Shakespeare uses “poisonous mineral”(2.1.319) to show Iago’s strong jealousy to Othello which he cannot get rid of. This foreshadow the evil thing Iago will do to Othello later in the play.
Poison appears again later when the First Senator asks Othello “Did you by indirect and forced courses subdue this young maid’s affection?”(1.3.130-131) Both of the poison here means change. Iago’s word change Brabantio’s emotion from happy to anger. The First Senator thinks that it is impossible that Desdemona loves Othello and chooses to marry him voluntary so it must be Othello use poison to change Desdemona’s mind. During that time, people think that the Moor Othello, because of his skin color, is evil and lower than the white man. In their mind, the white woman Desdemona should love a handsome white man rather than falls in love with