Jealousy Quotes In Othello

Alexandra Sirakides

Mr.Spalding

Honors Literature

April 21, 2023

Jealousy in Othello

There are many ways jealousy is represented and embodied throughout Othello. Jealousy is the major theme because amongst the characters it directly influences the plot of events. Throughout the play, one can see jealousy starts destroying everyone's relationships and leads to many deaths. The play's author William Shakespeare created complex characters who make their mark in the story. Such as Iago gets worse and progressively more manipulative, just like Othello gets worse turning being gullible and believing everything Iago says. All these characters are plagued by jealousy throughout the play. They let this fatal flaw cause their own downfall and deaths.

In the beginning of this play the readers are at first kept in the dark about Iago's motives and from the envy he faces, but it becomes very clear when he is talking to Rogrigo, “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine/… That never set a squadron in the field, /… And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof/... Must beleed and calmed.”(I.i.21-32). This quote is the earliest example of Iago’s jealousy towards Cassio receiving the influential position Iago considers rightfully his. This trait is demonstrated again in Act 5 when Iago declares, “If Cassio does remain, He hath a daily beauty in his life// That makes me ugly.”(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 The meat it feeds on.” This quote shows the nature of human jealousy by comparing it to the green eyes of a human. This characteristic is so human-like that Iago speaks from familiar experiences as he warns Othello to avoid becoming jealous. This brings out how Iago loved to manipulate Othello because he knew Othello would fall right into his trap. While Iago

By obtaining this symbol of her faith, he is able to easily deploy his plan of revenge against Othello. Iago knows it is a special item from Othello that he gave to Desdemona as a gift, and it is also a family heirloom. He tells her how it carries a significant amount of meaning and is extremely important to him. It has a lot of history and it's how his mother used it to keep his father faithful to her. When Iago steals the handkerchief and plants it into Cassio's room, it becomes a tool for his deception. When Othello realizes that the handkerchief is missing he becomes very angry at Desdemona. When she loses the handkerchief, Othello immediately believes she is unfaithful. Iago knows what he's doing and shares this evil plan in act 3 scene 3 he states “I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. This may do something. The Moor already changes with my poison.”(III.iii.369-373) He is stating that he is going to place it into Cassio's room as “evidence” that Dedemona and Cassio have been sleeping together. So then when Othello sees Cassio with the handkerchief he will accept it as confirmation that they have been sleeping together. Othello believes infidelity and lets jealousy get the best of him. This ultimately leads to the tragic ending of the play. To where Othello smothers Desdemona to