At times Shakespeare can become to complex, but in Othello he seems to simplify a number of his themes. The four themes or ideas that will be discussed are easily explainable. Jealousy, brotherly love, the handkerchief, and reputation and honor are very important topics Shakespeare approaches.
Jealousy is a prominent factor in Othello. It is first shown when Iago is
overlooked for a promotion. Iago shows his jealousy of Cassio being made a
Lieutenant. “Preferment goes by letter and affection, and not by old
gradation…” (1.1.37-38).
Iago also complains that he was the Moor’s “ancient” and should not have been passed up for the promotion.
Iago also shows his jealousy for Othello. “For that I do suspect the lusty Moor hath leaped into my seat, the thought whereof doth…gnaw my innards…” (2.1.296-298).
This quote from his speech shows that Iago thinks that Othello has slept with his wife. He goes on to prove is jealousy by saying he will take him “wife for wife”.
Along with jealousy, Shakespeare uses brotherly love as a theme. “Whether I in any just term am affined to love the Moor.” (1.1.40-41).
After saying he loves the Moor, Iago goes on to say he is going to use that love for his own deeds. “Do well thrive by them, and when they have lined their coats, Do themselves homage…such a one do I profess myself.” (1.1.54-57)
The Essay on Themes of Jealousy in Othello by Shakespeare
Throughout Shakespeare's Othello, the major theme of jealousy is apparent. According to Microsoft Bookshelf, jealousy, by definition, means “resentful or bitter in rivalry.” The tragedy Othello focuses on the doom of Othello and the other major characters as a result of jealousy. The theme of jealousy is prominent throughout the play as it motivates the characters' actions. In Shakespeare's ...
In contrast to this selfish, pretend love, Brabantio shows his love for Othello before Othello marries his daughter. This love comes out in Act one scene three when Brabantio accuses Othello of stealing Desdemona by poisoning her or using magic. “Her father loved me, oft invited me, Still questioned me the story of my life…” (1.3.130-131).
This brotherly love is rare considering most of the other brotherly love shown in the play is a pretend love. The only real love is between Othello and Iago, Othello and Cassio, and Brabantio and Othello.
Iago is a distrustful character, who again uses an imaginary brotherly love with Cassio for his own vile deeds. “I protest in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.” (2.3.321).
Iago pretends to give advice for Cassio to confide in Desdemona. Little does Cassio know but Iago wants him to do this so he can use the situation against Desdemona when he tells Othello of her infidelity.
Desdemona’s infidelity is mistakenly proven by the use of an idea by Shakespeare. The idea is the handkerchief. This special handkerchief is Desdemona’s downfall and is used to bring out the truth of her death. It is first used to suggest Desdemona’s affair with Cassio when Othello is already in the throes of jealousy. Then at the conclusion of the play it is used to bring out the truth. “That handkerchief thou speak’st of I found by fortune and did give to my husband…he begged of me to steal’t” (5.2.232-236)
Even though the lost handkerchief meant her death, Desdemona was exulted afterwards with that very item. Shakespeare used this device cleverly. He twisted it into the plot so that Desdemona was left completely innocent, but yet had to lose her life because it drove her husband mad.
Iago and his deception of reputation and honor drove Othello insane. Iago had a good reputation, but no true honor. This is an example of appearance versus reality. “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve…I am not what I am.” (1.1.66-67).
That quote is at the end of his speech after he speaks of getting what he needs by deceiving others. Iago knows he has a good reputation and he will use that to his advantage to deceive the other characters hence, he was no true honor.
The Essay on Reputations In Othello
... Cassio and himself. Iago accomplishes his second act flawlessly by his ability to have Othello believe he was sleeping with Desdemona. Now Cassio’s once helpful reputation ... out a flag and sign of love”(I. i.159-161). When Iago stated this he proved reputation was extremly important because it showed ...
Iago also uses his reputation as “honest Iago” to try and make Othello angry with Brabantio. He lies and says that Brabantio will divorce them. “He prated, And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms against your honor…I did full hard forbear him.” (1.2.6-10).
Othello does not believe that Brabantio will do this only because all of his “services…Shall out-tongue his complaints.” In this case Othello used his reputation of being a good officer to ward off the lies of Iago.
Reputation also has an immense impact on Cassio. After Cassio got drunk and wounded Montano and lost his job he complains about his reputation being tarnished. “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial.” (2.3.256-258).
Through this use of reputation, Shakespeare shows what an integral part this is to the men in this play. Without reputation these men are nothing.
Using jealousy, brotherly love, the handkerchief, and reputation and honor, Shakespeare writes a moving play. Iago, being a common character with bad characteristics, has jealous tendencies toward Cassio and Othello. This jealousy leads to his death. Iago is again present when brotherly love is brought up, but Iago’s love for Othello and Cassio is an imaginary love. This love he uses for his own benefits.
While Iago has a pretend love, Othello has a genuine love for Iago and Cassio. This love is what tries to bring the characters together. The handkerchief is a clever object used to put a twist in the story. When Desdemona accidentally loses it, she is technically sentenced to die. Lastly reputation and honor is used along with appearances and reality. Iago has a good reputation with no true honor, hence his appearance against what is reality on the inside. Reputation is needed to succeed in this time reference. All of the above elements have an importance and that importance is what makes this a great piece of work.
