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The Destructive Power Of Jealousy In Othello By William Shakespeare

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The green-eyed monster is one that lives within everyone, a monster that lurks in the shadows until it devours its host. Rearing its ugly head when the world least expects it, or in the case of Othello, written by William Shakespere, when one certain man turns the world upside down. “O, beware my lord of jealousy. /It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock /The meat it feeds on'' (Othello 3.3.195-197). Jealousy is interpreted in several different ways throughout Othello such as power and romantic jealousy; these interpretations are used to convey the destructive power of this emotion and the importance of trust. Power is something that most people crave and the lack of it creates a monster fueled by envy and suspicion, it's an irrational form of jealousy. Iago embodies this type of jealousy as he seeks to destroy Othello's life and relationships through the downfall of Cassio. Iago is jealous of Cassio's position as lieutenant and seeks revenge against Othello for not …show more content…

If you take a deeper glance you can also see his anger and pain when it comes to these rumors of his wife's affairs with Othello. This talk of the affair combined with his previous jealousies create a dangerous combination that causes Iago to manipulate, lie, and deceive. Through a fit of rage Iago states “And nothing can or shall content my soul /Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife, /or failing so, get that I put the moor /at least into a jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure” (Othello 2.1.321-324). In other words Iago stated that he has been letting this go for too long and this is the final straw, he will destroy them no matter what. Iago is also able to feed off of Roderigo's jealousy towards Desdemona's marriage to Othello. Due to Roderigo’s love for Desdemona, Iago is able to manipulate him while hanging her over his

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