Othello- Theme

Othello- Theme

1. Jealousy

   • Characterisation of Iago
     • Iago was passed over for a promotion by the less experienced Cassio, so he is jealous of him
       • He describes Casio as "mere prattle without practice" showing his bitter feelings of jealousy towards him, as he has more practical experience yet was not given the job
   • "O, beware my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on"
   • "The Moor already changes with my poison. Dangerous conceits are, in their natures poisons"
   • "she [Desdamona] has decieved her father, and may thee"
     • Brabantio initially plants the idea that Desdamona may be unfaithful in Othello's mind. Although D is innocent of any wrong doing this comment foreshadows the jealousy which will ultimately destroy O and lead to the death of D.
   • Relationship with Desdamonna

2. Evil

3. Honour and reputation

4. Reality v. apperance

   • "I am not what I am"
     • Hints that Iago is hiding his true feelings but Roderigo, whom he is speaking with at this point is too blinded by Iago's apperence of truth to notice
   • Janus
     • It is ironic that Iago makes reference to this Greek god with two faces as in this play it is Iago who is the Janus
   • "A man he is of honesty and truth"
     • Throughout the play Iago is spoken about in this way which creates a sense of dramatic irony as "honesty" is not a attribute the audience, who can see Iago's true nature would associate with him
   • "I hate the Moor"
     • When Iago emphatically admits his feelings about Othello it confirms that he is hiding his true feelings from the other characters
   • "I persaude myself to speak the truth"
     • Iago's apperence of truth blinds Othello to his true motives, meaning that Iago is able to change Othello by pretending to be a loyal friend and concerned about her
   • "My lord, you know I love you"
     • Further dramatic irony because Iago is associated with love and honesty when he is the one lying and causing pain