Shakespeare's Classic Play Othello

Throughout Shakespeare's classic play, Othello, several themes are represented such as hate, love, jealousy, honor, sexuality, etc. But only the theme of hate is shown the most during the play. This is the most important because it affects all of the main characters. The character that is affected multiple times by this issue is Othello. He is primarily manipulated by Iago, who works for the Moor and whose goal is to destroy his life. By doing so, he will also impact Othello's wife, Desdemona, who is in true love with him. Iago is motivated by the hate he has towards him and manipulates several characters to accomplish his plan. He hates both Othello and Cassio, so he creates a plan to make Othello believe Desdemona is cheating with Cassio. The theme of hate plays an important role in the drama, as this controls Othello's feelings and leads him to madness. The Moor cannot resist and murders Desdemona. At present, hate is still present in the relationship of many couples, which can lead to family violence.

The main cause of the tragedy is Iago's hate towards Othello. Iago has various reasons for hating the Moor, as he thinks he had a romance with his wife, Emilia. As stated in the play Othello The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare, "I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets 'has done my office. I know not if't be true, but I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety"(Shakespeare 1.3.748-749). There were once rumors that Emilia cheated with Othello, but it was never proved. Anyways, Iago is still suspicious about that controversy, and therefore, the suspicion is enough for him to think what happened was true. Consequently, Iago's goal is to destroy Othello's life, creating a plan where "Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light"(Shakespeare 1.3.749). Iago's intentions are motivated by hatred. His goal is to revenge on the Moor. "And nothing can or shall content my soul till I am even with him, wife for wife, or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor at least into a jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure"(Shakespeare 2.1.757). Iago is full of jealousy which adds up to the hate towards Othello. One way Iago can feel satisfied is to get in a relationship with Desdemona. His hatred is his motivation to accomplish his goals. In the actuality, society may also have a similar problem based on hate and suspicion. According to the article " The Psychology of Hate Crimes" by the American Psychological Association, "Hate crimes are an extreme form of prejudice, made more likely in the context of social and political change... Offenders may not be motivated by hate, but rather by fear, ignorance or anger". People can be controlled by hate, fear, ignorance or anger, creating a dangerous environment for them. Also, the same happens as Iago gets controlled by the anger inside him and, consequently tries to destroy Othello's life.

Besides, Othello is not the only person who is hated by Iago. As Cassio was awarded the promotion that Iago believed he deserved, he became the next victim in Iago's plan. He started to hate Cassio, and therefore manipulated him in order to pursue his goals. He wanted to make Othello believe Desdemona was cheating with Cassio. As stated in the drama "Othello The Moor of Venice" by William Shakespeare, "Cassio's a proper man. Let me see now: To get his place and to plume up my will In double knavery—How, how? Let's see. After some time, to abuse Othello's ears that he is too familiar with his wife. He hath a person and a smooth dispose to be suspected, framed to make women false. The Moor is of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by th' nose As asses are. I have 't. It is engendered. Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light".(Shakespeare 1.3.749). Iago's intentions are to make Othello jealous and make him lose his morals. Iago is full of hatred towards these two characters, and by manipulating them, he is getting closer to his goals. In Act 2, Scene 3, Iago plans to make Cassio drunk and shame him in front of Othello and the entire town. "If I can fasten but one cup upon him with that which he hath drunk to-night already, he'll be as full of quarrel and offense as my young mistress' dog"(Shakespeare 2.3.759). Iago's hatred is going to ruin Cassio's reputation, putting him in a situation where he will be easily manipulated by Iago. Iago also uses his "sick fool Roderigo"(2.3759) in order to provoke Othello to fight. As Cassio and Roderigo are arguing, Montano, governor of Cyprus, intervenes and starts fighting Cassio. The result of this controversy is that Cassio ends up in serious trouble, making