Jealousy In Othello

People have warned each other against the toxicity of jealousy for ages. Countless works of fiction have in some way told their audiences to be wary of envy.A brilliant example of one such work is William Shakespeare’s Othello, in which the theme of jealousy is explored through the characters Roderigo, Othello, and Iago.When Iago warnsOthello by saying, “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy. / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / the meat it feeds on” (3.3.167-169), he gives an accurate account of the way covetousnesscorrupts a person. Shakespeare, through his characters Roderigo, Othello, and Iago, demonstratesto his readers how envy can control an individual and lead to their demise. By allowing jealousy to control their thoughts, feelings,

Iago can control Roderigo to serve his own selfish motivesthrough his jealousy by promising him that he will eventually attain the affections of Desdemona. Had Roderigo learned to accept early-on that Desdemona was no longer available, Iago would’ve been unable to appeal to any jealous thought Roderigo might’ve had. However, Roderigo seals his own fate by succumbing to his emotions.The Moor of Venice arguably has many more redeemable qualities than Roderigo, but he is not immune to jealousy’s power. Othello’s tragic flaw is the reason for his downfall. The Moor of Venice earned a high reputation as general in the Venetian army and is respected by manyfor his honesty and bravery. So, though he’s not without merit, Othello is prone to insecurity because of his status as an outsider. This vulnerability is one that Iago quickly sniffs out and attempts to exploit by instilling envyin Othello. In Act III, Iago slowly starts toying with the Moor’sweakness by hinting at a possible affair between Cassio and Desdemona. AlthoughOthello asks for visual proof concerning the allegations, the audience can sense that jealousy has already crept its way into his mind. By allowing himself to fall prey, Othello becomes unwilling to listen to his wife. He is determined to think she is unfaithful to him even while she insists that she is honest. ThoughOthello seems to be freed of these emotionsonce he discovers Iago’s true deceptive nature, he cannot