Themes in Othello

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Samantha Gibson

What are the major themes we have encountered in William Shakespeare’s Othello, so far in the play?

‘Excellent wretch; Peridition atch my soul But I do love thee: and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again.’- Othello.

There are many complex themes in Othello; it is a play full of very diverse characters. This contrast of characters gives the text its many themes and in turn, makes it a very interesting and compelling play.

Love

Whenever I think of this text and its themes, there is one that always stands out in my mind; love. Whether it is the marital love between Othello and Desdemona, or the unrequited love Roderigo has for Desdemona, it is something that heavily features throughout this play. Where we see love most often depicted, is the love between Desdemona and Othello, and the problems it causes. Carol Thomas Neely supports this idea that marital love is one of the main themes in the play, and that because of this the primary conflict is between men and women.

Jealousy

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It is clear to see that the fire behind numerous conflicts in this text is jealousy. It is one of the primary reasons that Iago is so persistent in his destruction of Othello, and why Roderigo is so willing to help Iago in his scheming ploys. In my opinion, Iago displays the most jealous tendencies right from the start, stemming from the fact that Othello chose Cassio for the job of lieutenant, and not him.

‘I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.’

It might also have something do to with Iago thinking that Othello ...

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