Othello: Jealousy and Love Essay Example

to their downfall.

Being Desdemona’s previous suitor, Roderigo is jealous of Othello. He is willing to do anything to get Desdemona back, even if it meant killing Othello. But, he is later killed in the end. Iago is jealous of Cassio’s position, and plots against Cassio to get his position, but it is revealed in the end that Cassio is promoted to an even higher position. Othello is jealous of Cassio because he believes Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, and then later ends up killing his wife and himself when he finds out the truth.

Because these characters have jealousy and remorse for one another, they create their own tragic fate and death in the play. Although the theme of love isn’t as strong as jealousy in the play, it is one of the central reasons that create the cause-and-effect scenario that compels the characters to do things they would not do if they were not in love. For instance, when Brabantio is told about the elopement by Roderigo then confronts Othello and presents the situation to the Duke.

Othello tells the Duke that if his wife says he is nothing but good, then he should be free to go. If not, then he must give up his title. Being the faithful romantic she is, Desdemona sides with Othello rather than her father, proving her love and loyalty to Othello, which with an important element portrayed throughout the rest of the play. Another instance of love conveyed is right before Othello kills his wife, she cries not for Cassio, but for Othello.

Her tears were only for the love she has for her husband: "Out, strumpet! eep'st

thou for him to my face? " (Othello, 5. 2. 77). Immediately, he kills his wife without letting her explain the truth. Although what Othello did was driven by jealousy, he commits suicide moments after finding out the truth about the handkerchief from Emilia, which also proves his love for his wife. In the end, all the work Iago has put in to bring Cassio out of his position has failed even though Othello is dead. Cassio is honored the position of Governor, a position better than what he initially had.