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Analysis Of The Jealous Ensign In 'Othello'

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The Jealous Ensign
“Othello” also known as “The Moor of Venice” is a Shakespearean Tragedy written in 1603. The play is full of events that please, shock, and bring sorrow to its audience. Moreover, it has many interesting, note-worthy characters incorporated into it. Iago, Othello’s ensign in the play, is a character whose actions raise many questions. He is rather deceitful and dishonest. He tries to ruin not only Othello’s, but also other characters’ lives without any clear motive. This paper aims to analyze the character of Iago and one possible reason behind why he does what he does, jealousy.
In the first Act, Iago is treacherously motivating his so-called friend, Roderigo into causing a ruckus near the Venetian senator, Barbantio’s …show more content…

Iago drives Othello to murder his wife. By doing so, Iago knows that Othello will not be able to promote him from ensign to lieutenant. This indicates that much more than just gaining the title of lieutenant drives Iago to do what he does. Iago’s effort to destroy the love between Desdemona and Othello, even if it will cost him the position he yearns for seems to highlight his jealousy of the nature of their relationship. Now, Othello lawfully has Desdemona as his wife and can love her in every way possible. Iago feels the need to spoil the love they share by driving Othello to murder Desdemona in that exact spot where they would express their love for one another, the bed. Since the only place Iago’s love life prevails is in his head, he imagines it through a series of erotic objects in connection to Desdemona. He tries to diminish his lack that is emphasized by Desdemona’s love for Othello (Adelman, 129). In Act 2 Scene 1, Iago says “the lusty Moor hath leap’d into my seat” (65). His words indicate that he is jealous of Desdemona’s love for Othello, despite him being a Moor. Iago seems to think the fact Desdemona loves Othello is absurd. Othello does not deserve such love from a lady, especially if it is sexual. Iago emphasizes that Othello has leaped into his seat. This perhaps means that Iago thinks he is more worthy of Desdemona’s love than the lusty moor that is her

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