Jealousy In Othello Essay

   Othello features jealousy as the dominant motive for action and therefore just as reflected in real life we bare witness to jealousy influencing the characters of Iago, Brabantio, Roderigo, and Othello. In this essay I shall be attempting to examine this theme in depth drawing comparison between jealousy and the consequential action.

Haley Johnson Professor Smith Dual Enrollment Composition 2 20 April 2015 Jealousy Destroys Relationships revolve around love and trust, and when the trust is broken the act of jealousy can take and destroy. In William Shakespeare's "Othello" the act of jealousy is the prominent theme throughout. In the beginning Othello was not jealous until another character, Iago, convinces him the Desdemona, Othello's wife, has been unfaithful. This destructive trait leads to the horrific death of his loving wife, Desdemona, and eventually to Othello's suicide.

Jealousy is a key theme in Shakespeare's Othello which ever way you look at the play, it is always there, the rivalry between two men for love is creating jealousy. With many keys quotes and the main idea of the story based around Iago’s jealousy of Casio, because of Desdemona. In Act 1 of the play there are many examples of jealousy and shows how truly jealous Iago is of Casio and Desdemona’s love. in next next paragraphs i will explain why jealousy is a key theme in further detail and with quotes.

In the play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, jealousy is shown as the greatest tool to manipulate the human mind. “The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy - in fact, they are almost incompatible; one emotion hardly leaves room for the other.” - Robert A. Heinlein. In the play, the feeling of jealousy is often a side effect of stories told to many of the characters, and it is obvious that most of these stories are in fact manipulated. This is seen through the jealousy that drives both Iago and Othello’s actions and the jealousy that causes Othello’s and Iago’s downfall.

Almost all people, at some point in their lives, have experienced jealousy. But almost all people are given an equal opportunity to overcome this most unbecoming quality. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, however, this fatal flaw developed by the play’s main protagonist, Othello, is not easily subdued. Instead, Iago, the catalyst for Othello’s jealousy, manipulates him into believing that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with his lieutenant, Cassio, transforming Othello from respected general to reviled outsider. Iago achieves this desired effect by fabricating a web of illusions that not only mislead the Moor, but turn him against those whom he loves the most.

There being two forms of jealousy present is not immediately evident. Upon analyzing, one notices the distinct differences between Iago and Othello’s jealousy. Often

In the play Othello Shakespeare uses the theme jealousy to encourage the characters of the play to make rash decisions. Every main event in the play is driven by the force of jealousy. In the play jealousy is even referred to as being a main point several times. Jealousy drives the play and is the cause and effect of the main parts of the play.

Othello wasn’t really a jealous person, but Iago a trusty worth person by Othello manipulated him and got the wrong things into Othello’s head and took advantage of Othello’s trust. Iago says “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on”(Othello 3.3 165-167) Iago is advising Othello to be alert of the jealousy monster, that takes over his brain.

Jealousy is a fundamental theme in Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello. Both the title character and his conniving ensign Iago prove to be very jealous, but one stands out as the embodiment of the “green-eyed monster”. Othello is more jealous than Iago because his actions are a straightforward response to his jealousy, he becomes jealous with less reason than Iago, and his jealousy causes him to go ballistic, while Iago stays cold and calculating throughout the play. Throughout the play, Iago provides hints as to why he hates Othello, while Othello demonstrates blind jealousy.

Jealousy is the one thing that runs the characters lives in Othello from the beginning of the play, when Rodrigo is envious of Othello because he desires to be with Desdemona, and at the end of the play when Othello himself believes Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. Sometimes, jealousy is brought up on purpose by other characters. Iago is selfish in that he wants everyone to feel as he does so he manipulates the jealousy of other characters.

As Iago says to Roderigo, “I follow him to serve my turn upon him(1.1.44)” , revealing his intentions to betray Othello by tampering with his reputation. As the play goes on Iago’s intentions are based more on revenge rather than reason. The sense of betrayal that Iago feels from Othello is now increased that he suspects his wife, Emilia is having an affair with Othello. “I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets he had done my office. I know not if’t be true,

In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, the Moore of Venice, the central idea is jealousy. Jealousy is a powerful emotion that may induce behavior that would otherwise not be conventional. Iago uses jealousy to manipulate Othello into committing various acts against his wife, Desdemona. After reading this play, what really sticks out is that one must be careful who they trust. Conflict, Symbolism, and Dramatic Irony are the literary elements that are shown throughout the play Othello.

The theme “jealousy” in the drama “Othello” causes the major problems for the characters in the story. Jealousy in the story can be seen in two different views, which are:

First Iago exposes Othello and Desdemona's relationship to her father Brabantio who tries to stop their wedding but can't because Othello is approved by the Duke who respects his leadership and character. In light of the Duke’s approval Iago accuses his own wife, Emilia of having an affair with Othello and even has her plant a handkerchief. Then, he uses Roderigo's jealousy of Othello’s relationship with Desdemona to get Cassio fired which he eventually uses Cassio to get into more trouble. Iago started a rumor that Cassio and Desdemona which leads Desdemona to promise that she’ll convince Othello forgive his former lieutenant. Iago’s plan backfires and it leds to the death of Roderigo, Othello, and Desdemona.

Jealousy is the central theme in the play “Othello” by William Shakespeare. It is the most famous literary work that focuses on the dangers of jealousy. The play is a study of how jealousy can ruin lives – even with only the most circumstantial evidence of guilt. The play opens in Venice and revolves mainly around a man called Othello. It’s his actions and thoughts which makes the play interesting and suspenseful. Themes such as love, jealousy, betrayal, honesty and vengeance are all important and widely portrayed throughout the play. However, as we venture into the play and the character Othello, we will realise that jealousy is ultimately the most important theme of them all. It is the fundamental element that fuels the characters and