Theme in Othello

Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Rodrigo, and even Emilia are dead at the end of this play. Even Iago, the weaver of the lies that bring this body count, is supposed to be tortured and killed at the conclusion of the book. All this destruction is the product of Iago’s jealousy of Cassio. When Othello appointed Cassio as his general over Iago, who took it personally. This is what started Iago on his evil master plan, which consists of getting Cassio fired from his position as Othello’s Lieutenant, and Othello angry with Desdemona. Iago’s words are like poison in Othello’s ear. He plants ideas in Othello’s mind and allows him to believe they are his own. The Moor sees “proof” of Desdemona’s falseness in every little thing she does. It does not help her case when she pushes and pushes Othello to reinstate Cassio as his lieutenant. Unfortunately neither she nor Cassio know of Iago’s poisonous lies telling of their alleged affair. The Moor becomes more and more distressed as he sees more and more false proof of him becoming a cuckold. One reason Iago’s accusation of Cassio works is that Cassio is everything that the Moor is not. He is white so he is an insider, as opposed to Othello, who is the only dark skinned man we hear of in the play. One strange part of the play is that not only are Othello’s and Rodrigo’s motives fueled by jealousy, but Iago’s lies stem from his own jealousy of Cassio and anger at Othello for promoting Cassio over himself