Jealousy

After reading Act III of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare, I am really beginning to notice jealousy is a recurring theme in the play.  Almost every character seems to have some sort of jealousy toward another character.  In some occasions, the characters talk openly about their jealousy or that of others.  This ever-present jealousy is the force that pushes the story onward.  In part of act III, this is made clear when Iago talks of his plan to frame Cassio.  He says "I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, And let him find it.  Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of Holy Writ.  This may do something (III.iii. 322-325)."   This passage is a great example of how jealousy is the force behind the play's conflict.  Iago's motivation to frame Cassio with Desdemona's handkerchief is his jealousy of Othello's position in the military.  Ironically, the only reason his trick will work is that he has fooled Othello into thinking Cassio is Desdemona's lover.  This causes Othello to be jealous of Cassio, causing Iago's simple trick to be sound evidence in Othello's mind.  If no jealousy had existed in the first place, none of this conflict or deception would be going on.