Othello: Themes

The main theme that i have found in the first three Acts of Othello is jealousy. It seems that all characters are jealous at some point in time. The story starts off from the beginning with the theme of jealousy. Iago begins the play by expressing his jealousy of Cassio because he was placed as Othello's lieutenant. The story then transitions to Roderigo's jealousy of Othello for marrying Desdemona. Throughout the next three acts, the theme of jealousy is easily detectable. The story is driven by jealousy, as it is Iago whom keeps the action going through his plan of revenge on everyone. He turns the other characters against each other and even causes jealousy in Othello by making him believe his wife has found another lover. Jealousy is what causes most if not all problems between the characters.

"The Apparition" by: John Donne

When first reading "The Apparition," I was slightly confused. Through group discussion, I realized a few things. The speaker is speaking in the future tense. He is speaking to a girl who has not yet done anything wrong to him or left him. He tells her that when she does break his heart and leave him, her next lover will not be able to shield her from his "ghost." He says that "thee...in worse arms shall see." Through this phrase, he says that no man will be as good as he was and no man will understand her like he did. This seems to be a very emotional accusation for something that has not even yet happened. It seems to me that the speaker has experienced a relationship that ended badly sometime in his past and for this reason, he cannot trust anyone.

Entry #5

Aphorism- "I suppose she only wanted what she couldn't have" (page 39).

Now isn't this true?? It seems to me that this quote applies to everyone at some point in time during their life. For me, it has applied over and over again. I'll seem to think I have everything i need then I'll see what someone else has and say "wow i wish i had that." And even if people don't like to admit it, everyone does this. Someone could be the richest person in the world and I'm sure they'd still be wanting what they didn't and couldn't have. It seems that we all have something programed into us that makes us want things just because we cannot get it. I guess it's just part of life.