"But jealous souls will not be answered so. / They are not ever jealous for the cause, / But jealous for they are jealous. 'Tis a monster / Begot upon itself, born upon itself" (Othello, III.iv.153-156).
After reading three acts of Othello, I'm noticing that jealousy plays an important thematic role in the play. The first clear instance of jealousy is Iago's jealousy of Cassio, whom Othello appointed to be his lieutenant rather than Iago. Additionally, Roderigo is clearly jealous of Othello, who married Desdemona -- Roderigo has tried to steal her heart before the play begins, but to no avail. Another big hint that jealousy is important is the handout Mr. Costello gave me with four important themes in Othello, one of which is jealousy.
Iago's wife, Emilia (whom I keep wanting to call Edith -- I'm not sure I can explain why), provides an interesting commentary on jealousy when she talks to Desdemona of Othello's apparent suspicion of Desdemona. She says that people aren't jealous for a cause -- we are only jealous because we are jealous. In other words, jealousy works in a repetitious cycle, and Othello becomes a part of that cycle when he suspects Desdemona of cheating on him with Cassio. Also, I don't think I've used the word "jealous" so frequently in anything I've written before.
In honor of tonight's beautiful couple, Iago and Edith, I present this love song:
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