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Betrayal And Jealousy In Othello

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Explain how themes of betrayal and jealousy affect the development of Othello over the course of Act 3.
The portrayal of the character, Othello, is changes greatly throughout Act 3 due not only the antagonist but to Othello’s growing incurable jealousy on Desdemona’s ‘affair’.
Iago’s behaviour and pretence of being forever loyal to Othello has an immense effect on the development of Othello’s character during Act 3. The quote “Patience, I say; your mind perhaps may change” demonstrates that Iago is using reverse psychology on Othello. Without saying the exact words, Iago is encouraging Othello to follow his plan through.
The phrase “Patience, I say” implies that Iago is pretending to believe that murder is not the right course of justice; this fate deems too cruel in Iago’s eyes. This portrayal of Iago makes him seem more loyal, trust worthy and less suspicious towards …show more content…

The handkerchief symbolises the love between Othello and Desdemona. The quote “Give’t away were such perdition”, which is used by Othello, has multiple meanings. Othello claims that the handkerchief has magical properties, and if lost the item can cause great destructions; this is what is implied by the word “perdition”. The idea of the handkerchief suggests that Othello and Desdemona’s love is magical, but as it has been lost, the magical spark has been lost. This implies that the love between the characters has been ‘destroyed’. However, the idea of the magical item bringing destruction to the beholder signifies foreshadowing. It foreshadows Desdemona’s death and the rest damage it causes. The magical handkerchief refers back to a quote said by Brabantio in Act 1, where he claims that Othello has bewitched his daughter into falling in love and marrying him. The quote above supports Brabantio’s theory as Othello himself has stated that he gave Desdemona a magical item as a token of his

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