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The Dangers Of Jealousy In Othello By William Shakespeare

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Fiery consuming resentment toward another can propel one into a spiraling circle of hate and depression. These feelings are a type of jealousy, which is a deep and intense emotion that a person may feel when they desire what others possess or are insecure about others taking what they possess. In Othello by William Shakespeare, jealousy is the most dominant and constant theme that is demonstrated by many of the characters Shakespeare has created, including Iago, Roderigo, and Othello. The purpose of jealousy within Othello is to send a warning to the audience that its two various forms can have life-altering effects on more than just the individuals embroiled in its effects. The damage of jealousy is shown in action when characters are easily …show more content…

A model of this theory within Othello is Roderigo, who is yearning for the love of Desdemona. Roderigo was willing to go to very extreme measures to cure the ache that he felt for Desdemona. Roderigo is gullible and as a result of his jealousy of Othello and wants for Desdemona, he becomes entangled in Iago’s vicious plan, unaware that he will not benefit from it at all, but lose everything. Roderigo, disheartened by his unaccomplished objectives announces, “My /money is almost spent, I have exceed- /ingly well cudgeled, and I think the issue will be I /shall have so much experience for my pains, and so, /with no money at all and a little more wit, return /again to Venice” (Othello 2.3.385-390). Roderigo has had to sacrifice almost everything in his name, including all of his money and land, so that he can pay Iago to help him win Desdemona from Othello. Iago has not even slightly made Roderigo a priority, but Roderigo is blinded by his jealousy of Othello and cannot see past the idea of being with Desdemona. Roderigo got caught in an unbeneficial situation because he was not thinking correctly, which can happen when jealousy is involved. Roderigo is important to the storyline of Othello because not only does he do the dirty work for Iago, but also he adds another string to the web of jealousy …show more content…

Led by the two types of jealousy, the characters blindly believed rumors, made great sacrifices, and even ended up dying because of their choices. Together these men and several others created a spider web of jealousy, which not only affected the lives of those suffering from the emotion but drastically impacted others around them, typically in a negative manner. Shakespeare intends for the audience to learn the importance of being aware of jealousy’s presence and demonstrate its damaging effects. Jealousy hinders the lives of individuals and the people around them. This produces a critical need for learning and understanding how to deal with these feelings so no one must have to endeavor the agonizing and damaging feelings associated with jealousy. Shakespeare wants the audience to realize that like Othello, their jealousy can lead to an end

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Throughout the course of a person's life, he or she may experience bouts of jealousy. Jealousy can cause one to act irrationally, displaying negative behaviors. Examples of these behaviors are found throughout Shakespeare’s, Othello. Jealousy was first exemplified by Iago. He believed he was deserving of the lieutenant position but was overlooked by Othello who gave the position to Cassio.

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Heck it's a force that makes the body crave things that are out of this world. We can all ready tell that this story is just want big triangle of jealousy in which no can stop one big domino effect. “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!” Iago being the big contender that he is wants what Othello has the honor and title which he got robbed from. Rodrigo who is also jealousy of not only Othello but Cassio which he'd do anything to get a chance with Desdemona which I really think he loves her.

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Shakespeare themes vs. Today's news Jealousy is a very prominent theme is our lives, everyone has felt jealousy at one point in their life. Even in the 1600’s jealousy was a prominent theme. Shakespeare was one of the first people to write about common themes such as jealousy. An example of Shakespeare writing about jealousy is in Othello. In Othello Iago is very jealous of cassio and Othello.

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The tragedy of Othello written by William Shakespeare presents the main character Othello as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man. However, because of his insecurities and good nature he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his alleged friends. Shakespeare is known for his exceptional ability to compose plays full of deceit, revenge, and jealousy. Jealousy is an underlying theme throughout the tragedy and has been represented by many of the main characters, such as Iago, Roderigo, and Othello. The topic of jealousy will ultimately lead to the demise of many characters throughout the tragedy.

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“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.

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The function of jealousy and how it consumes other characters develops the majority of the plot within the play. It primarily serves as a way to incite the character 's psyche and lead them to being reckless and negligent. Specifically, the way jealousy affects the minds of Othello and Roderigo through the manipulation tactics of Iago. Specifically, during many of Othello and Iago’s conversations. Iago slowly makes Othello believe in false proof of Desdemona 's affair, thus Othello begins to psychologically change by gradually turning to murder through justification of Iago’s statements on Desdemona: “One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.

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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

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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.

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In the play of Othello jealousy caused anger and distrust, which in the end led to much bloodshed. The first time we see jealousy towards Othello is in the council chamber, everyone is gathered together when Othello and Desdemona share how they truly feel about each other and Brabantio was displeased. Brabantio told Othello with much anger, “look to her, moor, if thou hast eyes to see: she has deceived her father, and may thee.” (Othello I.III 293-294)

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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.

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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.

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He is jealous of Othello, show in, “I confess it is my shame to be so fond/but it is not in my virtue to amend it” (1.3:316-317). Roderigo is desperate for Desdemona and Iago takes advantage of this and makes him do thing such as kill Cassio. Roderigo does all of Iago’s dirty work and makes his plan successful. Also, Roderigo is unintelligent and realizes too late that his “money is almost spent” (2.3:364-368). Iago makes several false promises to Roderigo and he does not expose Iago because he is desperate for love.

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Jealousy in Othello leads to his insecurity after his mind being onslaught by Iago. Nordlund reasons, “The typical interpretation of Othello’s jealousy…, is that it arises from low self-esteem” (Theorising Modern Jealousy 154). His internal complication was actually created by external force—Iago. Othello shows proud and confidence to his achievements, he is aware that he is being loved and admired; furthermore, he is sure that he deserves Desdemona. Iago intelligently recognizes the moment of Othello’s anxiousness starts and exploits it.

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"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.

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MLA International Bibliography EBSCOhost, doi:10.1353/jem.2015.0006. Accessed 14 Mar. 2017. Synopsis Jealousy is evident in Shakespeare’s Othello through several sources, but most commonly seen as possessiveness over the female characters (with a focus on Desdemona) in the play.

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