The play "Othello" makes use of a variety of themes to create both internal and external conflicts between the main characters. Lies, deciet, murder, and prejudice all play a part in this very dynamic and complex play. Jealousy and the means to which people will go to hurt their rivals or enemies is a theme that plays a big part in this production. Iago's great hatred for being second best and his insane jealosy drives him towards extreme measures in an effort to hurt those who he believes are responsible for his misfortunes. Prejudice, although not mentioned or expressed directly in the play, becomes a big underlying theme within the plot. The simple fact that Othello is a Moor, a general in command, with a predominately caucasian cast sets a stage for a very prejudical theme. For my play I will be using the jealousy and prejudice themes together. My play would take place in late 1930s Berlin, right before the start of Jewish imprisonment and World War Two. Othello would be a Jewish banker living in upper class Berlin. Iago would be a German associate of Othello who worked as a teller in his bank. Little would Othello know, that Iago was really a Nazi Activist who would soon be a member of the German Secret Police, the Shutz Staffel. Over time Iago would become increasingly jealous of Othello and his envy would turn to hatred and prejudice. In the end, he would hurt Othello where it hurt most, his relationship with his German bride, Desdemona. During the 1930s there was a strong anti-Jewish message being broadcast by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party. As a result Berlin as this time makes a perfect setting for a World War Two Othello. It is fairly easy to make the play fit into this situation for many reasons. Prejudice and greed are primal emotions in the human mind, and can be applied to any time period. The hatred of Moors in Medival times can be compared with the hatred of Jews by the Nazi Party, or the hatred of African Americans in southern America.
