What does Shakespeare say about love in his plays Othello and Winter's tale, and how is the theme of love expressed dramatically?

Both of these plays demonstrate the troubling fragility of love. Two otherwise good men who love their wives go to violent extremes in the face of jealousy. Othello strangles his wife after learning she might be unfaithful, and Leontes takes similar action. The key difference is that in The Winter's TaleLeontes has a chance at redemption, while Othello never has such an opportunity. Shakespeare explores jealousy and the close relationship between love and hate....

Both of these plays demonstrate the troubling fragility of love. Two otherwise good men who love their wives go to violent extremes in the face of jealousy. Othello strangles his wife after learning she might be unfaithful, and Leontes takes similar action. The key difference is that in The Winter's Tale Leontes has a chance at redemption, while Othello never has such an opportunity. Shakespeare explores jealousy and the close relationship between love and hate. All it takes is a small spark of jealousy or betrayal to turn the powerful emotions of romantic love into a spiral of rage and distrust. In Othello this is expressed through the careful manipulations of Iago. All he has to do is stoke the fires of jealousy to drive Othello from adoration to violence. In the Winter's Tale it takes even less. Leontes comes to his incorrect conclusion based only on his own jealous leanings. He lashes out at his dearest followers and at the woman he loves. Both plays explore the frightening similarity between our most positive and negative feelings.