I have to write an essay about Othello. I wanted to known what I should write for my general opening statement.I know that, for the general...

Usually, there is a distinction between a general opening
statement and a thesis statement.  Most teachers recommend that the thesis statement be
the last sentence in the introduction.  This is something that you can clarify with your
teacher, but in the meantime, we can certainly talk about both kinds of
statement.

An opening statement for an essay, as the
teacher above noted, is often meant to capture the attention of the reader.  However,
sometimes we use what is called the "funnel" approach, in which we begin with a very
general statement that helps the reader see what "world" we are in as we begin to
write.  For example, if I were writing an essay about The Great
Gatsby, I might begin with a general statement about the American dream or
about the Roaring Twenties, depending on what the focus would be on in my essay.  Either
of those would help the reader to begin to see what my focus is.  As you write about
Othello, think about what your main focus is.  Are you writing
about how jealousy can destroy lives?  Are you focusing on the character of Iago?  If
you are, what kind of general statement might you make about this kind of person?  The
idea is to start broadly, like a funnel, and then narrow down to your thesis
statement.

A thesis statement is meant to be a preview of
your main idea and the points you will make to support that idea.  Let's suppose for a
moment that you have chosen to focus on how jealousy can destroy lives.  What points are
you making to support that?  The general idea is to say "Othello
shows that jealousy is an emotion that can destroy lives because ...."  The "because"
part of your thesis statement needs to list the points you make to prove
that.

So, in summary, there is a difference between an
opening statement and a thesis statement.  One usually begins an introduction, and the
other ends it.  Both are quite important, the first because you want to draw the reader
into the world of your essay and the second because you want your reader to know what
your main idea is and how you will support it.