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Jealousy In Othello Research Paper

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Jealousy: Othello By: Justin Pascual For: Mrs. McGivern Due: Monday, December 5, 2016 Period H The Theme of Jealousy in Othello Jealousy is the act of being envious of another’s achievements or advantages: jealousy can overcome a person and engulf all their thoughts, as well as ruining their life. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago poisons Othello’s mind with jealousy and it is seen in physical and emotional ways to such an extent, that by the time he realizes his mistakes it is too late and it leads to not only his own death, but to Desdemona’s, as well. Othello’s newly wed wife, Desdemona, is virtuous and fair and will always love her husband, and goes all the way to Venice to be with him. After they …show more content…

Following a conversation with Desdemona, Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio, leaves in a hurry, and Iago capitalizes on the opportunity to poison Othello’s mind: “Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?/ Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it,/ That he would steal away so guiltylike, Seeing you coming.” (3.3.38-41) Iago is planting the seeds of jealousy in Othello’s mind by being vague and nonchalant about the suspicious events occurring regarding Michael Cassio. This is the first of many stages of which Iago presses envious thoughts into Othello’s mind. Iago continues to bombard Othello with seemingly innocent comments about Desdemona and Cassio, but they inflict immense amounts of psychological damage. Iago and Othello converse about Desdemona’s potential affair with Cassio and Iago keeps leading Othello into believing it is reality: “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy./ It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss…”(3.3.178-180) Iago is ambiguously stating that Othello may be a cuckold and this causes him to believe that Desdemona may truly be having an affair. Iago begins to realize that it does not take much to arouse jealousy in Othello and continues to lead him …show more content…

Othello requests that the people present state nothing but the truth to others: “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 (5.2.351-356). Othello knows that he was manipulated by the villain Iago, but he does not want to be known as a person that was easily jealous, but as a man that was incredibly confused from his jealousy and that he was not smart about his love, but was too passionate. Othello’s life was destroyed by the lies fed to him by Iago, and with his last breaths, he realizes he was

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”(V.i.19-21). This dialogue unveils the truth about Iago and proves that his jealousy stems from him longing for a life that is “beautiful,” one that is similar to Cassio’s. His jealousy side also shines through when he is led to believe Othello is sleeping with his wife. In Act 3, Iago states, “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock

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"I hate the Moor: And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets He 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." (Act 1, Scene 3) Iago's jealousy and hatred towards Othello drive him to manipulate and deceive him, leading to the tragic fate of Desdemona. "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on."

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This quote said by the villain Iago himself contributes to how jealousy can be portrayed in Othello. Othello's jealousy ends up consuming him, and he ends up becoming obsessed with the idea of his wife's infidelity. In conclusion, Othello’s corruption of jealousy over love impacted several outcomes in this tragedy, varying from himself as a character to even the fate of those around

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He manipulates Othello into seeing a completely different and false treachery. Due to Iago’s scheming, Othello was beyond convinced that Desdemona was sneaking around with Cassio behind his back. He felt she betrayed their “sacred” matrimony and irrationally thought his only solution was to smother her to death. This fake betrayal exemplifies the themes of jealousy and the fragility of the love between Othello and Desdemona. Iago made sure Othello’s jealousy ran so rampant that his mind was overtaken by anguish.

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be true, /But for mere suspicion in that kind, /Will do as if for surety” (I, iii, 324-327) to give another reason for his hatred. Iago admits that he has no proof of Othello’s crime against him, but he still states it as a reason for his hatred. Iago contains too much hatred to be led by a near suspicion which causes the audience to believe that this reason has no truth behind it, and it appears as an excuse. Shakespeare continues to craft the mystery behind Iago’s motives when Iago describes Othello as a man with “constant loving noble nature/

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Why, say they are vile and false––” (III iii 158-160). Iago often uses hesitation to appear as if he is reluctant to give out information. In turn, this makes him seem all the more genuine when he eventually does tell Othello, since he portrays himself as someone who does not want to give out information unless he is sure it is based on truth. His apparent uncertainty makes Othello feel the need to drag the information out of him, rather than Iago excessively spilling information. As a result, Othello likely does not feel he is being persuaded or deceived.

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