Love and Hate Expressed by Characters in William Shakespeare's Othello

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Love and Hate Expressed by Characters in William Shakespeare's Othello

In the play Othello, by William Shakespeare, different characters contribute to the development of particular themes. Three strong themes portrayed by the characters are of; misplaced trust, love vs. Hate and jealousy, and shattered innocence.

The first theme of misplaced trust is clearly evident in most of all the characters that are manipulated by the depraved Iago. Roderigo is the first character to be entangled in his web of deception, whom I will focus on. Iago essentially uses Roderigo as a source of financial gain and a tool in extracting his revenge on the other characters.

In Act I, Iago has him awaken Brabantio in order to spoil Othello's secret honeymoon with his daughter; "Call up her father. Rouse him, make after him, poison his delight."(1.1.69-70) Iago financially abuses Roderigo as well, consoling him constantly to "put money in thy purse," (1.3.335) therefore supporting Iago's expenditures, which are supposedly winning Desdemona's love for him. Only later in the play does Rod...

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