In Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, jealousy sparks the tragic downfall for the hero, Othello. In this play, Othello, a moor who serves as a general in the army of Venice, experiences a great downfall caused by love, prejudice, and jealousy. All tragedies have a hero with a tragic flaw. In this tragedy, the hero loves too well, lets prejudice issues take their toll on him, and allows jealousy to rage in his heart. These characteristics are not necessarily bad, but when shown in extreme levels can cause the downfall of a great leader.
             In the beginning of this story, Othello falls in love with Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian senator. Othello and Desdemona initially keep their love and marriage a secret for fear of her father not approving. Iago, Othello's captain in his army, tells Brabantio, Desdemona's father, of their deception and he goes to confront Othello. Brabantio accuses Othello of using trickery to make Desdemona fall in love with him. Othello explains that he just told her stories about his life; she felt pity for him, and fell in love with him. He says, "She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them."(I.2 lines 166-167). Othello loves Desdemona so much that he wants her to accompany him into the battlefield. He loved her so well that false jealousy caused him to murder her. After this has been done, Othello explains in his speech before his death, "Speak of me as I am...Of one that loved not wisely but too well..." (V.2 lines 343-344). Othello means that he loved Desdemona very much but unfortunately he wasn't very smart about it. Othello's love for Desdemona caused him to lose control of himself and his reason. He is blinded by this love and does not see when he is being conned by Iago.
             Iago seeking revenge on Othello planted the idea into his general's head about Desdemona being an unfait
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