Love and Jealousy in Othello

Here are my ramblings on Othello. Please help me refine my ideas and support my thesis.. I got this far and kind of gave up. Paper due in a week.. Any suggestions?

William Shakespeare was a master of exposing the intricacies of the human mind through his comprehensive characters. His proficiency in this art is strikingly noticeable in the character Othello, from the play of the same name. Othello, the main character, is filled with jealousy at the thought of losing his cherished wife Desdemona, and allows his mind to be infiltrated with thoughts of her supposed reprehensible behavior. He acts out jealously against her yet claims that he is only doing it out of love. By definition, jealousy typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, resentment against a rival, distrust, fear of loss, and suspicion or anger about a perceived betrayal. Our human propensity for this covetous emotion has been explored in countless artistic expressions but none as famously as in this theatrical tragedy by Shakespeare. Othello embodies all of the above pessimistic sentiments and tolerates the manipulation of his weak mind by his ensign, Iago. In this play, many of the other characters are similarly maneuvered by way of their intense feelings of both love and jealousy. These emotions have often been confused since the beginning of human existence, and this play is no exception. The play's true tragedy lies in the entanglement of these two central passionate feelings, however, there is no clear line dividing the two. In contrast to jealousy, love is a complex idea commonly defined as caring about someone besides yourself and putting their needs first, even when it means your desires may have to change, as well as seeing the best in a person despite their flaws and believing and trusting in them wholeheartedly. Both jealousy and love represent meanings that are sometimes intertwined yet still differ enough that it should be easy to distinguish the two emotions; nevertheless Desdemona, Iago, Emilia, Cassio, Roderigo and especially Othello are influenced by their misunderstanding of which emotion they are actually feeling and being affected by. Throughout Shakespeare's entire play, Othello, the cast of characters justifies their actions erroneously due to their incorrect analysis of the emotions of love and jealousy.
The most manipulative character in the entire production is Iago, Othello's ensign. Iago uses other people's confusion to maneuver them to facilitate his wishes. When the play starts, Iago is irritated with Othello for promoting Michael Cassio to the position of lieutenant instead of him. He also mentions in Act I, Scene iii, Lines 405-409, "I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets, He's done my office. I know not if't be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety" (Shakespeare). Although Iago has no proof supporting his claim that Othello has had sexual relations with his wife, Emilia, he still uses this as a reason to justify his passionate jealousy of the Moor. With this statement, Iago is indicating that jealousy requires no proof, nor even the occurrence of an actual offense. ‘Mere suspicion' alone is apparently enough to begin the process of jealousy. It appears as if Iago is claiming that he is addicted to jealousy, and is actively looking for an excuse to be in that state of mind. Iago immediately begins plotting against Othello to make him pay for his wrongdoing. Throughout the play, Iago shows his villainy by literally going to any length to accomplish his goals. He is always referred to as "Honest Iago," yet Shakespeare includes lines said by him such as "The Moor is of a free and open nature, That thinks men honest that but seem to be so" (Shakespeare, I,III,418-19). This seems obvious, as an outside observer, as a disclosure of Iago's true, treacherous nature. Later in the play, Iago has succeeded in planting the seed of jealousy in Othello by mentioning Desdemona's betrayal. He then steps back and begins his exercise in manipulation. Iago's greatest strength seems to lie in his ability to reflect and magnify emotion. In Act III, Scene iii, Lines 212-228, Iago and Othello have a long conversation discussing Desdemona and her potential infidelity,
"OTHELLO : No, Iago,
I'll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove,
And on the proof there is no more but this:
Away at once with love or jealousy!
IAGO : I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit. Therefore, as I am bound,
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.
Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio.
Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure.
I would not have your free and noble nature
Out of self-bounty be abused. Look to 't.
I know our country disposition well.
In Venice they do let God see the pranks
They dare not show their husbands. Their best conscience,
Is not to leave 't undone, but keep't unknown.
She did deceive her father, marrying you" (Shakespeare).
This quote demonstrates Iago's exceptional ability to use his own overwhelming "love" for Othello to justify his concern about his relationship with Desdemona. Othello claims that he will not accept Iago's musings without proof, and Iago responds quickly, as things are now falling into place. He is preparing to set Cassio up in a compromising situation. Iago's evil continues when he goes on to say, "Ay, there's the point. As, to be bold with you, Not to affect many proposèd matches, Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, Whereto we see in all things nature tends-Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportions, thoughts unnatural" (Shakespeare, Act III, Scene iii, Lines 256-261). This quote refers to Desdemona's unwillingness to find a husband of her own race, age, and status. Iago is playing upon Othello's own insecurities about the differences he has with his wife that may someday lead to the end of their marriage. After this exchange, we see Othello begin to question his opinion of his wife, signaling a turn in the tide towards Iago's malicious desires. He is so evil, that he can even be viewed as the personification of jealousy in this play. Iago poisons the hearts and minds of those around him with his wordplay and manipulation of less clever minds. It comes across that he believes that, due to his great love and respect for Othello, it is his duty to make him happy. However, time and time again, instead of acting out in loving protection of Othello, Iago responds with jealous rage, causing more harm than good.
Othello is a Moor who has been brought into Italy to act as a General. However, although he is a strong leader, he seemingly can not distinguish between those who are good and bad. He often confides in Iago without realizing that he is being duped and controlled. Othello is weak-minded and easily becomes jealous. He is insecure due to his permanent status as an outsider because of his skin color. He even comments on it in the play, "Haply, for I am black, And have not those soft parts of conversation, That chamberers have, or for I am declined, Into the vale of years" (Shakespeare, III, iii, 292-295). Here, after a conversation with Iago, he begins to question himself and lose what confidence he does have in his person and his culture. He starts to wonder why Desdemona even loves him, and the idea that she may love Cassio instead begins to fester in his mind. Iago makes sure to remind him that Desdemona betrayed her father to be with him, which means that she is capable of deceit and dishonor. However, through all of his jealous behavior, Othello constantly discusses how he loves Desdemona. Even when he is preparing to kill her in the final scenes, he almost has a change of heart while watching her sleep,
"Oh, balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
Justice to break her sword! One more, one more.
Be thus when thou art dead and I will kill thee
And love thee after. (kissing her) One more, and that's the last.
So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep,
But they are cruel tears. This sorrow's heavenly,
It strikes where it doth love" (Shakespeare, V,i,16-19).
Othello is comparing himself to God in the Old Testament because he must kill the one he loves. He is steady with his decision, but nonetheless regrets what he is about to do. Othello has let jealousy wrap its evil, green fingers around his heart and strangle what love he had for his fair wife Desdemona.

Need a conclusion!