In Shakespeare’s Othello, jealousy is one main theme that is depicted throughout the entire play. Iago utilizes Othello’s gullibility to manipulate him into believing his wife Desdemona was having an affair. Othello has a difficult time differentiating between appearance and reality as Iago successfully carries out his plans to trick him. Shakespeare’s Othello demonstrates how jealousy twists the human mind and often causes a person to lose their senses, ultimately leading to dangerous results. Jealously eventually causes Desdemona’s death and Othello’s own death. It’s also ironic how jealousy is what caused Iago to start his evil plans against Othello in the first place. Iago was initially jealous of how Othello promoted Cassio to lieutenant instead of him. Iago also suspects that Othello slept with his wife Emilia. Iago’s hatred and jealousy leads him to become the villain and antagonist in the play, plotting every move with the intention to destroy Othello.
I agree with you! both, Iago and Othello, felt jealousy in the play. Othello was not so confident about his relationship with Desdemona which is why he ended up believing in rumors and end up killing his wife and himself. It is very unusual for a protagonist to be so brave and insecure at the same time.