Nicholas Reynolds Professor Dow English 215-001 1 December 2014 Jealousy’s destruction Jealousy is an unhealthy and blinding form of envy that can ruin lives. A jealous emotion provokes negative anxiety over an anticipation of loss. In Othello, the main character is confounded by an anticipated loss of faithfulness from his wife. This jealousy can make the most noble of men commit horrendous acts. The characters of Othello succumb to this poison, and its destructive nature is what leads to their demise. Although they have a clear understanding of what jealousy is, they are blinded by its power. Shakespeare’s Othello defines jealousy and exemplifies its consuming power and ruination. The definition of jealousy is all too easy to understand …show more content…
Jealousy places thoughts in the mind that wouldn’t typically reside there. It’s a poison that causes the characters to do ruinous and regretful actions. Iago says to Roderigo, "I follow him to serve my turn upon him. / We cannot all be masters, nor all masters / Cannot be truly followed. You shall mark / Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave / That, doting on his own obsequious bondage, / Wears out his time, much like his master's ass..." (1.1.39-43). Iago is attempting to justify his treachery to Roderigo. He loathes those above him, only following them to harm them, because he fears he will be cast aside. He tries to support his decision by saying that those above him will simply get rid of him if he fails to obtain the upper hand now. His jealousy for those with more authority and Cassio’s recent promotion provoke him to take actions to take down his superiors. Iago starts by manipulating Roderigo’s mind so that jealousy stirs in his heart too, so that Iago can use him as a pawn. Roderigo falls prey to Iago’s manipulation and becomes blinded by a jealousy of Othello’s recent marriage with Desdemona. Iago then plants seeds of jealousy into Othello as well, with ideas of an unfaithful Desdemona. Othello becomes infuriated when he’s informed that Desdemona is having an affair. He says, "O curse of marriage! / That we can call these delicate creatures ours / And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad / And live upon the vapor of a dungeon / Than keep a corner in the thing I love / For others' uses" (3.3.270-75). Othello rants about his curse of marriage to an unfaithful woman. Othello says that he’d rather be a toad in a dungeon than share his wife with another man. His jealousy fuels his fury. Jealousy veils his rationality, and rage brews in his heart without a hesitant thought that this might not be true. He has clearly made up his mind