Othello is cast as exercising a jealous, punishing godlike sovereignty

Evidence

Othello, like the biblical God-”He’s that he is” ( 0, 4.1.270), against Iago’s “I am not what I am” (0 r.r.64)- is indeed jealous. … He is “the jealous husband” who “acts out on the human scene a god’s role; he is … a leader who can command and punish wherever he goes. He insists on honor and wreaks bloody vengeance on those who disobey.” Othello-”fire and brimstone!” (4.1.233) and “Justice to break her sword!” (5.2.17)-is thus not only “a judge,” he is also “a decent general doing justice on the basis of acts done,” and he rightfully regards himself as “the dispenser of justice”: “Good, good, the justice of it pleases; very good” ( 0, 4.1.206-7). — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab, 545

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the book’s thesis about the enemy’s two bodies and the theological-political reading of sovereignty; also resonates with Carl Schmitt’s political theology material in the chapter’s title.