Othello (the play) presents the audience with a disturbing picture of jealousy, yet an inspiring picture of constancy in love. .
In Othello, jealousy is presented to the audience by Shakespeare as a disturbing predator, which takes control and attempts to destroy constancy in love. The jealousy portrayed by Shakespeare is based on pure evil, hatred and the joy for destruction as well as swayed, insecure jealousy. This is achieved through the use of a range of characters; Iago, Othello, Desdemona, who possess polar qualities, and also through a range of situation and scenes of commitment, savagery and uncertainty. .
Shakespeare uses the egocentric, manipulative and malignant character of Iago in an attempt to present a disturbing picture of evil, destructive jealousy. Immediately, the audience becomes aware of Iago's 'greatest' and most controlling quality, jealousy, which is directed towards the innocent Cassio. "One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, A fellow almost damned in a fair wife, that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows, more than a spinster." The vengeful Iago is able to amplify his qualities of unexplainable envy towards the flawed Othello, and presents the audience with a disturbing masterpiece of pure loathing. "I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets 'Has done my office." Iago is able to amplify and acknowledge his own jealousy by creating rumours that his wife is having an affair with Othello. This shows his lack of respect towards women and the sacredness of marriage, and also the disturbing depth of his jealousy. Iago's lust for jealousy becomes contagious and his canvas of hate grows. Iago is a manipulative character who is fuelled by a disturbing love for jealousy.
The image of jealousy is further portrayed to the audience through the "honest fool", Othello. Shakespeare is able to manipulate the vulnerable flaw of Othello, "the green-eyed monster", that is jealousy.