Jealousy and the Handkerchief

Maryam Ahmadi

Jealousy and the Handkerchief

In William Shakespeare’s “Othello,” the main theme of the play was jealousy. Jealousy plays a huge role in Othello, since numerous characters from the play become jealous of Othello and of each other. Jealousy is a like a monster, it is very dangerous, destructive and powerful in which can ruin a relationship in matter of seconds and minutes. In the play, the handkerchief is the main component that affects jealousy because the handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona goes missing. The handkerchief is then a powerful piece of clothing because the handkerchief symbolizes Othello’s love for Desdemona. Thus, in the story of “Othello,” jealousy and the handkerchief play an important part to the play because both things destroy Othello’s relationship that he had with Desdemona.

Throughout the play of “Othello,” the play is driven by emotions and feelings of intense jealousy. The actions and consequences that occur in “Othello” are result of jealousy. Iago has jealousy towards Othello because Desdemona chose Othello over Iago because Desdemona views him as a potential worthy husband who acts like a solider and in which appears to be worthy to Desdemona. Iago also believes that Othello has had an affair with his wife Emilia and in which leads Iago to plot against Othello to get revenge on him. Iago also is jealous towards Cassio because he had been assigned the position of lieutenant instead of Iago receiving the position himself.

Another character in the play who is jealous is Roderigo. Roderigo is jealous of Othello because he is in fact in love with Desdemona, which leads to Roderigo to despise Othello. Roderigo however contributes to cause some of the problems that occur in “Othello” because Iago makes him think that he will help him get Desdemona. Roderigo plots Cassio into a fight in which Cassio loses his position of lieutenant. Roderigo then plots to attempt to murder and kill Cassio so that Desdemona would...