Kaitlynn Snell
Wehkamp
AP English Literature
17 May 2015
The Green Eyed Monster That Never Went Away
Jealousy, the word itself could be used to describe each and every one of us at sometime in our life. Jealousy, an emotion so vicious it can consume you, and can cause a variety of things you never would have imagined you would do. In love the word jealousy can be defined as “inclined to or troubled by suspicions of fears or rivalry, unfaithfulness, ect (Villines). We see this time less psychological emotion in the play “Othello” by William Shakespeare. Iago, a man consumed by jealousy of the happiness and love of the people surrounding him, and Othello, a man easily drawn into jealousy by a man who is not what he says he is, These men show signs of jealousy, that are in many ways, similar to the ways jealousy is
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Iago believes that he is much more qualified, he has jealousy for Cassio that can only be because he feels like he is in competition with him. One psychologist thoughts on the subject was that,” The distrust of others and or of oneself that is experienced as jealousy usually serves the goals of PROJECTION, PROTECTION, and/or COMPETITION” (Firestone). Cassio is in much better standing with Othello than Iago is, even though throughout the play Othello seems to learn more towards the opinion of Iago. Iago has a master plan on how to get back at Othello. He decides to make it seem as though Casio and Othello’s beloved Desdemona were having a love affair. This is important because we see Othello go through many of the same psychological signs of jealousy that we see Iago going through. He has no reason to distrust Desdemona, he even says, OTHELLO. Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt For she had eyes, and chose me