How is the theme of jealousy presented in Othello?

Jealousy is the driving force behind much of the action—and tragedy—within Shakespeare's Othello. 

Othello thematically traces how jealousy can destroy lives—and how so often jealousy stems from events and circumstances which have been blown out of proportion. 

The major plot of the play involves Iago convincing the titular Othello that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful to him and has cheated with Cassio. Despite the fact that Iago has little true evidence to prove...

Jealousy is the driving force behind much of the action—and tragedy—within Shakespeare's Othello. 

Othello thematically traces how jealousy can destroy lives—and how so often jealousy stems from events and circumstances which have been blown out of proportion. 

The major plot of the play involves Iago convincing the titular Othello that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful to him and has cheated with Cassio. Despite the fact that Iago has little true evidence to prove this, Othello falls headfirst into the clutches of the "green-eyed monster." Through Iago's trickery, Desdemona's handkerchief—which had been given to her by Othello—ends up in the possession of Cassio. Although there is no literal correlation between this handkerchief and Desdemona's chastity (it is, after all, merely a handkerchief), Othello's raging jealousy seizes this as a sign that she has engaged in adultery. This psychological magnification results in Othello destroying his entire life; he murders his wife and then kills himself. 

The irony, of course, is that Iago uses jealousy to undermine the foundations of Othello's marriage, while it is jealousy itself that causes Iago to behave so erratically. Iago is jealous of Othello's power, position, and status and is angry that he was passed over for a promotion by Othello, who chose Michael Cassio as his military lieutenant instead. Additionally, Iago believes that his own wife Emilia may have engaged in an affair with Othello. 

Ultimately, jealousy serves as an irrational motivator and the harbinger of evil in this play.