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Examples Of Jealousy In Othello

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The Monster Jealousy Shakespeare’s use of the word monster in Othello the word “monster”may be a key to understanding the play. The etymology of ‘monster’ can be traced to mid 12th century France where connotations of the word included, “ to be skilled,” “genius,” and “mastermind”. By mid 13th century the connotation of the word in France changed to be a disfigured person.In contrast in classical Latin, the meaning of monster was very close to it 21st century meaning in English, i.e., grotesque and hideous. The Oxford English Dictionary describes it as ‘atrocity’, accompanied by acts of wicked things. According to the Oxford English Dictionary a monster is a mythical creature which is part human, or combines element of two or more animal forms. It is usually of a giant size and ferocious appearance. Today a monster is an imaginary creature that is large, ugly and frightening. This definition has been in use since the 1400s. In Othello, the word monster is related to the latin definition. The word “monster” or “monstrous” is used to describe or to be related to the tenets of jealousy because throughout the play jealousy is a recurring factor to the theme of love and hate in Othello. The first time the word “monster” or “monstrous” appears in Othello is in Act 1 scene three where Iago is giving a soliloquy on why he hates Othello and why he should stick with his plan to destroy everyone in the play. Iago says “Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.”

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