"Like hatred, jealousy is forbidden by the laws of life because it is essentially destructive" (Alexis Carrel). "Othello", one of William Shakespeare most famous tragedy, was consistently evolving around the central theme jealousy. As the lies are unraveled by the characters, the main theme became more and more visible. Although the theme of jealousy is commonly mistaken for being tied with love alone, Shakespeare described how jealousy can be present in different ways throughout the play, he uses three different symbols to represent the main theme; these symbols includes love, paranoia and ego.
Firstly, Shakespeare's first symbol used to represent jealousy is love. Many characters are unable to see past their feelings, even from well-known developed characters such as Othello, to lesser figures such as Bianca. To begin with, Othello's love for Desdemona was so strong and for that single reason Iago knew that such jealous men could be corrupted by planting the idea of Desdemona having an affair. "Like to the Pontic Sea, Whose icy current and current compulsive course Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keep on To the Propontic and the Hellespont Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace. shall ne'er look back ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love." (III.III. 452-458). After Iago manipulated Othello's feeling by proving him that Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio, Othello is in full rage tide and decides to kill both Desdemona and Cassio, both innocent men. Shakespeare proves that such a high-rank character could be blind by his jealousy. Furthermore, Roderigo is also a victim of jealousy. Rodrigo is a jealous suitor of Desdemona, he believes that such pure and faithful women should not marry Othello. "What a full fortune does the thicklips owe If he can carry't thus" (I.I. 63-37). Rodrigo is a rich man in loved with Desdemona, he is always sending gifts through Iago to Desdemona but despites of all his efforts he could not spike Desdemona's attention.
