ipl-logo

Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

837 Words4 Pages

The concept of jealousy is explored by William Shakespeare in the play Othello. Jealousy is a clear indication on how one fears and insecurities can be exploited and manipulated by those who are envious. Deceit can turn one against those whom they love and overwhelmed with emotion that it results in losing sanity and death. The theme of jealousy is prominent throughout the play and motivates character’s actions. Jealousy is so powerful it not only destroys others’ lives, but can lead to one’s own self destruction. Iago uses jealousy against each character for his own narcissistic desires. Jealousy is presented at the beginning of the play when Iago begins talking badly about Othello to Roderigo. Iago becomes very envious once he was demoted …show more content…

The author of the article uses 3 major concepts to compare Iago. The author uses 3 major concepts to compare Iago. The causing a gentleman to fall into madness, irrational behavior, and conspiring to use witchcraft. Witches seek for two things motivation and possession or gain. In this case Iago's motives are to seek revenge on Othello and Cassio. His devilish ways could be considered using witchcraft. I do not agree with the article about witchcraft. Iago was not using magic to cause such chain of events simply he just used manipulation and jealousy. I do not consider Iago a kind of male witch because he does not do the dirty work himself. He doesn’t “do” evil instead he takes self-gratification in being evil. (Evans 4). He works behind the scene pushing and infuriating Othello with jealousy then hides innocently. He plots and uses schemes to advance in his own desires. Although he does display satanic ways there was very little that was miraculous about his manipulation of Othello. Shakespeare utilizes Iago to the utmost to demonstrate the danger of jealousy. The purpose is to focus on how jealousy is the most corrupting and destructive emotions as humans. Shakespeare maybe was also making the point that it is foolish to believe everything you hear. Beware who you

Show More
Related
244 Words | 1 Pages

Throughout Shakespeare's entire play, Love and jealousy is displayed, Iago uses love and jealousy to manipulate the characters in Othello. Iago knew that Othello didn't get jealous easily but he did his best to plant "evidence." For example, when Cassio and Desdemona were just having a friendly conversation, Iago twisted the intentions of their conversations. He discreetly made Othello think that there was something going on between Cassio and Desdemona. Evidently Shakespeare used quotes like “Ha!

Read More
500 Words | 2 Pages

In the play “Othello” by William Shakespeare showed how the lies and the jealousy of others can ruin a relationship . Throughout the history of this play people have understood it as a “triad of nobility,purity, and villainy.” A literary critic, Michael Andrews noted the significance of the handkerchief that was used in the play. “Othello tells Desdemona that the handkerchief is a love-controlling talisman his mother received from an Egyptian "charmer.” The gift that Desdemona receives is used to represent a symbol of Othello’s love.

Read More
759 Words | 4 Pages

Jealousy is first represented in Iago by his desire to become Othello’s lieutenant, however the position was offered to another character named Michael Cassio. Iago sincerely believes that he should hold the position of lieutenant and that the

Read More
901 Words | 4 Pages

In the book Othello, Iago is a very manipulating man, throughout the book he manages to manipulate three main people, Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello. He uses all their weaknesses to bring them down. Iago wants revenge on Othello, because Othello overlooks Iago and his abilities, so Iago manipulates these three characters to get back at Othello in the long run. He comes up with a very good plan to get each other to turn against one another. So in the end he ends up getting what he wanted, revenge.

Read More
700 Words | 3 Pages

“Othello” written by William Shakespeare revolves around this protagonist who is depicted as strong and powerful. To everyone he is known as Othello or the Moor. Throughout the play, Shakespeare portrays numerous counts of jealousy and manipulation around many of the characters. It is mainly illustrated through Iago, the antagonist of the play, who manipulates other to their downfall. Iago who is known for always being true and honest towards others has easily earned the trust of everyone around him, thus giving himself an advantage on his schemes.

Read More
834 Words | 4 Pages

Othello shows the two types throughout the story and the play, envy and fear, and how they can claw and chew away the the fragile human psyche, like a monster, trying to claw out of a deep dark hole that has had a trap on it for days without end. Othello is one of the great examples of how jealousy can teach us not to be overcome by dark things, to always stay strong and believe in our own thoughts, and that the poison known as jealousy, can make or break even the best of people a slow killing venom that makes the weak sick and twisted. This play teaches us that jealousy has no good outcomes, only horrid and how it shows no mercy to anyone. Jealousy is a card no one should or ever want to play with a deck full of

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

What is jealousy, what makes someone become jealous, and what does jealousy do to people? In William Shakespeare 's Othello they had many different problems between characters. Those problems being distrust, lies, honor, and jealousy. Jealousy was one if not the biggest part of Othello and what made all the conflicts continue and kept pushing the play further and further. Almost every character in the play had some form of jealousy that they portrayed to another character.

Read More
1014 Words | 5 Pages

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.

Read More
1474 Words | 6 Pages

Knowing how jealousy eats someone up, Iago uses that upon Othello by introducing doubt in one of the greatest things he had, his love in Desdemona. The way Iago worked into Othello’s head is that he made it seem like he was helping him by thinking of different possibilties, which only fed the green-eyed monster in Othello. “Their best conscience is not to leave ‘t undone, but keep ‘t unknown,” (III,iii. 235-236)said Iago, which exaplains exactly how he functions. He tells Othello what he wants to hear, which is what builds the doubt of Othello.

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
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
971 Words | 4 Pages

Olson, Rebecca. “ €Too Gentle: Jealousy and Class in Othello.” Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies, vol. 15, no. 1, 2015, pp. 3–25.

Read More
1826 Words | 8 Pages

Kolin observes that Iago stands out among Shakespearean villains since he is the only one to survive his own monstrous acts (25). Unlike Richard III, apart from telling stories, Iago carries out a downright fraud through other means of manipulation, which makes him the most evil and intelligent character. To be exact, Iago is a puppeteer who sets up scenes to deceive the “credulous fools”—Othello, Cassio and Desdemona (4.1.45). Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca while telling Othello that the subject of their conversation is the Moor’s wife. He is so smart and careful that he even gestures Othello to come closer when Cassio is about to illustrate how Bianca entangles him.

Read More

More about Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

Related Topics

Open Document