Othello - Themes

Othello - Themes

1. Jealousy

   • Iago
     • prompts him to ruin Cassio's career and Othello's happiness
       • Iago said he hates Othello because "the Moor" passed him over for a promotion. Yet, here, Iago says he hates Othello because he's heard a rumor that Othello has been hooking up with Iago's wife, Emilia
     • 'I know my price, I am worth no worse a place'
     • 'ancient' he holds a low position
     • Cassio's promotion undermines his sense of superiority
       • regains dominance by plotting against the others
     • Iago refers to jealousy as the "green-eyed monster
     • says his in love with Desy
   • Othello
     • Othello's jealousy impedes his ability to distinguish between reality and appearance
     • sexual jealousy
     • race and age are reasons that Desy may cheat
       • fuels his insecurity
     • driven by jealousy - turning point occurs in Act 3, Scene 3

2. Gender and Sexuality

3. Love and War

4. Race

5. Honesty & Deception