Themes and whatnot

In the first three acts, there is one theme that throws itself at the audience: jealousy. You would have to be blind not to pick up on it. In the first scene of the first act, Iago begins to explain his reason for despising Cassio and his reason for betraying Othello: jealousy. Because of Iago's jealousy for Cassio and his position as lieutenant, there is a plot for the rest of the play. It shows how far people will go when they envy another person. If Iago was not jealous of Cassio, then he would not betray Othello. Also, another theme is present throughout the first three acts: prejudgment based on appearance. In act one, Barbantino, Iago, and Roderigo make several remarks toward Othello and the color of his skin. "...an old black ram is tupping your white ewe." (I.i.87-88) By doing this, the men make Othello seem inferior when in fact he is the commander-in-chief of Venice and a highly respected man. If the man had been white, Barbantino would adore Othello and surely approve his marriage to Desdemona. The fact that there is racial discrimination in the play provides more reason to hate Iago and Barbantino's characters.