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Drama analysis: Othello

Shakespeare’s play Othello illustrates the aspect of jealousy as an uncontrollable and inexpiable monster. Throughout the play, the theme of jealousy plays a vital role. Iago is the main character in the play that portrays jealousy. By being driven by jealousy, he causes harm to many innocent people (Waugaman 32). The theme of jealousy is just one that is used by Othello and Iago to play with the emotions of the audience. This is only evident in scene 4 when Roderigo laments over Desdemona’s fidelity. He claims he can no longer sleep for the reason of jealousy. Throughout the play, it has been shown how jealousy can be a weakness to men or at times be a weapon (Rauch et al 33). Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses every method possible to make its audience sympathize with Othello and his loyalty to Desdemona, as well as its characters of both protagonists and antagonists.

In the drama, Othello has clearly portrayed the negative effects of jealousy in society. We learn that people can portray jealousy in various ways. Whether it is with physical abuse, manipulation in the form of lying, or adultery all is different ways people can express their jealousy. A theme in this play is abandonment. The protagonist, Othello has three different women abandon him; his mother figure Emilia deserts him after he becomes lieutenant-general of Venice then Desdemona leaves after she discovers that her husband was already married when they wed. Finally, Emilia’s daughter Iago abandons Othello by killing Desdemona and himself. The plot of Shakespeare’s drama “Othello” revolves around the life of a Moorish general who falls victim to the temptation of jealousy (Bloom 45). There are various types of jealousy as displayed in the Othello drama. They include professional jealousy, sexual jealousy, and even jealousy amongst friends. I’ve broken down the three jealous types mentioned above and found that Othello’s main character, Othello is probably most jealous about his reputation as a soldier. Throughout the play, you also see other characters who are jealous over romantic relationships or professional situations with women.

In conclusion, jealousy is a vice in society. It causes harm to innocent people and the people that are experiencing it. To combat jealousy, society needs to respect others with integrity, eliminate jealousy through mental health treatments and therapy, and by changing social norms. It brings out the worst in people. Jealousy can be viewed as an emotion that is felt when one becomes threatened or fearful of losing something that is important to them such as a relationship, power, money, and prestige. It can also be seen as feeling envious of another’s success and happiness. The theme of jealousy plays a direct role in society and has an irreversible impact on individuals and communities around the world.

Work’s Cited

Bloom, Harold, ed. William Shakespeare’s Othello. Infobase Publishing, 2010.

Rauch, Beth, and Doctor Meg Clark. “Othello and Jealousy: The Reason Behind the Spousal Abuse.” (2017).

Waugaman, Richard M. “Othello and the green-eyed monster of jealousy.” The Oxfordian 19 (2017): 115-128.