ipl-logo

Jealousy In Othello

1348 Words6 Pages

The novel "Othello" introduces Othello as a man of integrity. Unfortunately, everyone's perception of him wavers as the novel progresses. Iago creates jealousy within Othello by confusing him that his sweet Desdemona is sleeping with Cassio because he promoted Cassio, not him. This development within the story creates jealousy within Iago, creating an everlasting hatred towards Othello; causing Iago to create a plan to destroy Othello and regain his position. Othello's jealousy destroys his relationship with Desdemona, but ultimately this jealousy obscures the truth from someone he thought to be trustworthy, Iago. Othello's jealousy could have been prevented if he trusted the right people and had not been easily deceived. Furthermore, Othello's …show more content…

Othello's jealousy grows even further when Iago tells him that he heard Cassio, in his sleep, talking about Desdemona. Othello's rage becomes noticeable when Othello yells out and says, "O monstrous! Monstrous!" (3.3.483). Continually, Iago furthers Othello's wrath when he tells him that Cassio wiped his beard with the Handkerchief Othello gave to Desdemona. Othello's anger grew profusely when he heard this. As he states, "Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell! Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne To tyrannous hate! (3.3.507-509). Furthermore, this jealousy hinders the truth from being sought after as he views Desdemona as unfaithful. Iago plants these ideas by creating openings for Othello to see what's happening. Othello's inability to listen or hear what's going on furthers the jealousy within him, as he only sees the actions that are going on. Continually, this occurs when Iago tells Othello that he will talk to Cassio about his sleeping with Desdemona. As such, Othello's jealousy intensifies and produces hatred towards Cassio. As Othello states, "Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone. (4.1.202-204)". Othello's misunderstanding of the situation creates a bigger gap between the truth and the misleading view. Othello becomes ruthless as he hopes to let Desdemona "rot …show more content…

His integrity and position, which he holds dear, are lost to this jealousy. Iago explains to Cassio that Othello is going mad with jealousy. As Iago states, "Othello shall go mad, And his unbookish jealousy must {construe}" (4.1.119-120). This explanation shows the effects of Othello's Jealousy seen by his underlings. His jealousy becomes so great he doesn't realize what he is doing; he can't see through the thick fog of lies caused by Iago. This unfortunate incident where he lost all self-awareness causes the loss of his beloved. At the novel's end, Othello's distaste for Desdemona becomes so great that he kills her, but he doesn't realize the tragic event he has just caused until right before her death. Othello realizes what he had just done and that all was a lie, "I pray you in your letters, When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely, but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought, Perplexed in the extreme" (5.2.400-406). At the end of the novel Othello with all his might, breaks through the thick fog of lies and realizes that everything until now was a lie, configured by who he thought

Show More
Related
174 Words | 1 Pages

Throughout the course of a person's life, he or she may experience bouts of jealousy. Jealousy can cause one to act irrationally, displaying negative behaviors. Examples of these behaviors are found throughout Shakespeare’s, Othello. Jealousy was first exemplified by Iago. He believed he was deserving of the lieutenant position but was overlooked by Othello who gave the position to Cassio.

Read More
879 Words | 4 Pages

Othello shows growth mindset. When Othello is around Iago he gets into a negative environment which changes his view on Desdemona. Othello’s many accomplishments as commander and a soldier in the battle shows that is determined to accomplish many things . Iago is filled with hate,jealousy and envy. He would do anything to get Desdemona away from Othello and to have her himself .It is clear that Iago is jealous because he goes out of his way to tell Desdemonas father Brabantio a lie.

Read More
1771 Words | 8 Pages

Through Othello’s trustworthy nature it causes him to be easily manipulated, resulting in him making choices that impact another human being in a detrimental way. If he would have had his guard up and did not trust people easily, it would not have influenced him to make a decision as to where the outcome is to physically harm an individual. By being influenced by others that can have an affect on one’s decision making can make one want to kill someone for something that they did not

Read More
797 Words | 4 Pages

Determined to eradicate Othello, Iago intends to provoke Othello until the Moor does something so heinous and unforgivable, which is caused by “a jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure”, implicating how Iago wants Othello to become so jealous that he won’t be able to think straight or reasonably. When Iago is alone with Othello he announces “Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio. Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure. I would not have your free and noble nature out of self-bounty be abused”, ironically signifying how Iago is attempting to plant the seed of suspicion by subtly hinting at the notion that something is going on between Desdemona and Cassio. Othello believes and only trusts Iago, and Iago uses that trust against Othello, so in the end it will benefit him and only him.

Read More
759 Words | 4 Pages

The tragedy of Othello written by William Shakespeare presents the main character Othello as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man. However, because of his insecurities and good nature he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his alleged friends. Shakespeare is known for his exceptional ability to compose plays full of deceit, revenge, and jealousy. Jealousy is an underlying theme throughout the tragedy and has been represented by many of the main characters, such as Iago, Roderigo, and Othello. The topic of jealousy will ultimately lead to the demise of many characters throughout the tragedy.

Read More
970 Words | 4 Pages

In Othello, it is jealousy that ultimately leads to the downfall of three characters, Roderigo, Othello and Iago. " O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green eyed monster" (III.iii.163). Although, Othello is not the only play where William Shakespeare has made jealousy a central motivator. He did it in Macbeth also. Jealousy has many faces between these two plays and in both they lead to the downfall of characters.

Read More
811 Words | 4 Pages

In the play of Othello jealousy caused anger and distrust, which in the end led to much bloodshed. The first time we see jealousy towards Othello is in the council chamber, everyone is gathered together when Othello and Desdemona share how they truly feel about each other and Brabantio was displeased. Brabantio told Othello with much anger, “look to her, moor, if thou hast eyes to see: she has deceived her father, and may thee.” (Othello I.III 293-294)

Read More
856 Words | 4 Pages

Shakespeare 's Othello centers around the power of jealousy and how it can end up causing the death of a couple and some of those around them. Othello seems to grow incredibly jealous of his wife, Desdemona, and his lieutenant, Cassio’s fake affair that Iago, the villain, has convinced Othello of. As an act of jealousy, Othello decides to kill Desdemona to prevent her from hurting more men and then after realizing everything was part of Iago’s plan he kills himself due to the guilt he feels after having killed his wife. Shakespeare’s use of figurative language and symbolism in act 5 scene 2 reveals how even though Othello truly loves Desdemona, his jealousy for what he believes she has done has completely clouded his judgment and taken over

Read More
1014 Words | 5 Pages

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

Read More
621 Words | 3 Pages

Shakespeare’s play, Othello, deeply explores the effects of jealousy on a person. Shakespeare also portrays the different types of jealousy and alludes to the causes of them. Othello is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare around 1603, about a man, Iago, who plots to take revenge on a Moorish soldier, Othello, for he has “done my (Iago’s) office”. The deaths of several people, including Othello’s wife Desdemona, Iago’s wife Emilia, Othello and Iago’s companion Roderigo, were all directly linked to Iago’s actions. Othello illustrates that jealousy often leads to revenge, jealousy can prevent a successful relationship, and jealousy leading to one’s downfall.

Read More
944 Words | 4 Pages

Iago also manipulates Othello with jealousy. When Othello is gone at war, Iago tells him that Cassio and Desdemona were getting too close. At first Othello does not believe him, but by Iago saying “nothing,my lord; or if- I know not what” Othello starts to question if it is true (III. III. 39). Iago constantly uses his “innocence” to make Othello jealous and start to assume that it is true. These actions eventually lead to a tragic event.

Read More
2220 Words | 9 Pages

Jealousy in Othello leads to his insecurity after his mind being onslaught by Iago. Nordlund reasons, “The typical interpretation of Othello’s jealousy…, is that it arises from low self-esteem” (Theorising Modern Jealousy 154). His internal complication was actually created by external force—Iago. Othello shows proud and confidence to his achievements, he is aware that he is being loved and admired; furthermore, he is sure that he deserves Desdemona. Iago intelligently recognizes the moment of Othello’s anxiousness starts and exploits it.

Read More
2374 Words | 10 Pages

"Othello" by Shakespeare is a well-known and outstanding literary composition which pays distinctive attention to the dangers associated with jealousy. The play deals with the root and driving force of all evil and exemplifies how far jealousy can induce a human being as well as destroy lives by mere circumstantial evidence. According to Godfrey (1972), “Jealousy, once awakened, becomes self-perpetuating, self-intensifying, and where no evidence for it exists, the jealous person under the impulse of an extraordinary perversity will continue to manufacture it”. Jealousy manages the characters’ lives in "Othello" from the beginning of the play, when Roderigo feels jealousy towards Othello because he desires to be with Desdemona, and to the ending of the play, when Othello is furious with envy because he supposes Cassio and Desdemona have been engaging in a love affair. Some characters’ jealousy is generated by other characters.

Read More
1545 Words | 7 Pages

Throughout the play Othello’s blind trust in Iago led him to a perplexed state in which he was vulnerable to flaws that he did not usually struggle with. In a perplexed state Othello “becomes jealous and eventually a murderer” (Kliger 222). Without Othello’s blind trust in Iago Othello would never have become perplexed and would not have led to flaws that resulted in the murder of Desdemona. Othello recognized his growing problem as he said “There is no more but this: Away at once with love or jealousy” and yet Othello was still unable to shake his jealousy as Iago kept feeding him lies (Shakespeare III.iii.222-223). Othello became so jealous that he began to think he would be “happy if the general camp, pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body, so [he] had nothing known” (Shakespeare III.iii.397-400).

Read More
440 Words | 2 Pages

William Shakespeare reveals Othello’s tragic flaw, irrational jealousy, as the plot builds to his downfall. Irrational jealousy begins when Iago tells Othello “why go to then! She that so young could give out such a seeming” (III, iii,207-208). Iago makes Othello jealous regarding the supposed affair between Cassio and Desdemona by constantly hinting about it to Othello. Throughout the play, Iago manipulates Othello’s insecure and jealous mind.

Read More

More about Jealousy In Othello

Open Document