Othello : Themes
Othello is a notable literary work by William Shakespeare. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Othello.
Themes
Jealousy: Jealousy is a big part of the story. Iago makes Othello jealous by lying about Desdemona and Cassio. Othello’s jealousy grows so strong that it leads him to make terrible choices.
Love and Trust: Othello and Desdemona deeply love each other at first. But when trust breaks down, their love turns into suspicion and pain. Without trust, their relationship falls apart.
Race and Discrimination: Othello is treated differently because he is a Moor (a Black man) in a white society. People insult him because of his race, and this affects how he sees himself. His outsider status makes him feel insecure.
Manipulation: Iago is very good at tricking people. He plays with the minds of Othello, Cassio, and Roderigo to get what he wants. His lies and schemes cause all the tragedy in the play.
Reputation: Many characters care about their reputation. Othello worries about losing his honour, and Cassio is upset when his reputation is ruined. For some, reputation is more important than the truth.