Danger Of Jealousy In Othello

Melony Galicia
Ms. Zongker
AP English lll
February 20, 2017

Driven by Jealousy
In Othello, Shakespeare illustrates the dangers of jealousy through the belligerent actions of the characters. Jealousy can be incited by circumstantial proof, that can ruin lives. Shakespeare uses dramatic techniques to aid him in conveying his message. Being fearful and insecure causes one to become jealous of the evils that follow jealousy. For example , when Iago acknowledges that the lieutenant promotion was passed onto cassio instead of him, he became infuriated and envious, even referring to Cassio as a bookworm . The reason to Iago’s resentment is mostly due to the fact that he will not be the lieutenant , which automatically threatens his reputation. Iago

For example, when Roderigo shouts, “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe!” Shouting racial slurs about Othello, blatantly calling him black and constantly referring him to an animal says that Roderigo is jealous that Othello has managed to win Desdemona’s love. Insulting Othello is cruel and is a malicious act on Roderigo’s behalf, but his motivation for being so vengeful is that he is extremely jealous of Othello. Another example of how Shakespeare conveys that jealousy is the motivation behind committing malicious acts is when Iago states he will ruin Othello, “I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad, that ‘twixt my sheets. Has done my office. I know not if’t be true, but I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety.” Iago hears rumors of Othello possibly sleeping with his wife. As a result, Iago grows feelings of jealousy. Already being resentful of Othello for passing the promotion to Othello, this encounter increases Iago’s thoughts to ruin Othello. Iago’s jealousy of Othello possible sleeping with his wife is the spark of the motivation to ruin Othello. Attempting to destroy someone’s life because of jealousy is cruel. Another instance of how Shakespeare conveys that jealousy is the motivation behind committing malicious acts is when jealous Othello decided to kill Desdemona for being “unfaithful” stating, “For to deny each article with oath cannot remove

For instance, Roderigo could not distinguish that Iago was using him for his own gain. Roderigo is so jealous of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage that he would do anything to destroy their marriage and win Desdemona for himself. Iago sees an open window and convinces Roderigo to accompany him so that they could both take revenge on Othello and Iago would help Roderigo win Desdemona. In reality, Iago is only with Roderigo for financial stability and does not care to help Roderigo. Roderigo cannot see through Iago’s lies because he is too busy being jealous of Othello and Desdemona’s love. Another instance of how jealousy could blind one from distinguishing the truth would be how Othello cannot see past Iago’s deceiving lies. After just being manipulated to doubt his own wife, Desdemona, Othello speaks to himself, “this fellow’s of exceeding honesty and knows all quantities, with a learned spirit, of all humans, if I do prove her haggard.” Othello is constantly insecure of himself, though he never would imagine Desdemona cheating on him, Iago managed to “plant a seed” into Othello’s mind. Manipulating him that Desdemona is having an affair and he should keep a close eye on her. Now that Iago has managed to make Othello jealous, Othello would never see where and and when Iago is deceiving