As William Shakespeare's only truly Aristotelian tragedy, Othello has no subplot or comic relief and, when performed initial, had little spectacle in terms of setting or action. The absence of these distractions leaves the themes of the piece defined and apparent. The story of Othello's fall from grace can show the audience three main ideas: how jealousy has disastrous consequences, how innocence is little protection against these consequences, and how revenge can harm those who are looking for. These themes are illustrated through characterization and action. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Othello shows the audience the harmful effects of jealousy through the actions of Othello himself. He is jealous of his lieutenant, Cassio, because Othello was led to believe that his wife, Desdemona, was having an affair with Cassio, thus making him incredibly jealous. This jealousy creates a breach of trust between Othello and his once-loyal lieutenant. Othello wishes to kill Cassio and uses underhanded methods to obtain information from Cassio. In Act 4, Scene 1, Othello hides while Iago pretends to talk to Cassio about Desdemona, then the two plot Cassio's murder. However, the destruction of loyalty is only one of the horrible results of envy, as Shakespeare shows his audience. Othello's raging jealousy ultimately inhibits his clear thinking. Through his manipulation, Iago provokes Othello's uncontrollable emotions and thus controls Othello's actions. At one point, he becomes so consumed by his emotions that he has a seizure. It is almost Othello's fault that Iago has such an easy time manipulating him, because Othello never seeks another character's story or opinion on Iago's information. Iago says: “I told him what I thought, and I only told him what he thought was right and true” (Act 5, scene 2). Othello draws all of his information and evidence from Iago's suggestions and even goes so far as to dub him "honest Iago", an irony and pure breach of trust that ultimately costs Othello his life and that of his wife. He kills Desdemona without ever hearing her side of the story. This shows that Othello's jealousy created distrust and loss of rational thought, which led to murder. Throughout the play, Desdemona evolves as an unsuspecting ingenue, the ultimate victim unjustly punished. Through her, Shakespeare shows his audience that innocence has no protection against evil. Even in his anger at her, Othello calls Desdemona “a good woman, a just woman, a gentle woman!” » (Act 4, scene 1). It is often associated with the color white, unlike Othello's association with black, as Iago proclaims to Desdemona's father: "an old black ram kills your white sheep" (Act 1, scene 1). Purity and innocence are often symbolized by the color white. She is not guilty of Othello and Iago's accusations, as Emilia told Othello: "Oh, she was divinely true!" (Act 5, scene 2). Therefore, Desdemona is portrayed as pure and innocent. Nevertheless, despite her righteousness, she is ultimately murdered by Othello for the crimes she did not commit, as Emilia shows Othello, "You have killed the sweetest innocent that ever looked up" (Act 5, scene 2). Even as she dies, she tries to absolve Othello of any responsibility, for when asked who harmed him, she replies, “No one.” Myself. Farewell” (Act 5, scene 2). The two main male characters in Othello seek revenge for their "wrongs" and,.