ipl-logo

Othello's Jealousy

1171 Words5 Pages

Shakespeare's Othello follows a great general, Othello. Othello is plagued by the thought that his newly wedded wife, Desdemona, may be cheating on him. While he never catches desdemona in the act, he is persuaded by the villain Cassio to believe that Desdemona is unfaithful. Othello is typically a standup guy, the thought of his wife committing adultery drives him to the brink of insanity. Because of the jarring difference in character from the beginning of the play to the end, readers are made to ask himself: Why does Othello become jealous? Othello becomes jealous because he has never had to deal with challenges in his personal life. Because of this, Othello has no coping skills, leading him to act out irrationally when faced with a potential …show more content…

Was not that Cassio parted from my wife? Iago. Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it, That he would steal away so guilty-like, Seeing your coming. (725)

Iago from this point on continues to make remarks to Othello in an attempt to make Othello jealous. This jealousy that Othello harbors hijacks his thought. As Millicent Bell points out in her critical essay, “Othello’s Jealousy,” Othello “wriths” in the thought of his wife cheating on him. Othello's jealousy becomes so powerful that he begins hallucinating, physically seeing Desdemona with other men. Othello lets this happen because he has no other ways to deal with his thoughts and imagination. Bell claims that although Iago is the source of doubt, Othello’s mind is the “theater” where faith is questioned. People who have experienced jealousy have coping mechanisms. Othello does not have any skills to aid him in dealing with his thoughts. Adding to this is the idea that Othello even after killing his wife because he believes her to be cheating, thinks he is not a jealous man. Othello says: Othello. Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely, but too …show more content…

Rather, he wants to be remembered as one who loved too vigorously. Othello’s final words before suicide are a contradiction. Othello doesn’t wish to be known as a jealous person, only a person who loved his wife too much. Othello’s actions in the play blur the two sentiments. If Othello loved his wife so much, then why would he kill her in the bed they share? Othello gives readers an insight into his mind during a monologue. Othello

Show More
Related

The Dangers Of Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

2374 Words | 10 Pages

"Othello" by Shakespeare is a well-known and outstanding literary composition which pays distinctive attention to the dangers associated with jealousy. The play deals with the root and driving force of all evil and exemplifies how far jealousy can induce a human being as well as destroy lives by mere circumstantial evidence. According to Godfrey (1972), “Jealousy, once awakened, becomes self-perpetuating, self-intensifying, and where no evidence for it exists, the jealous person under the impulse of an extraordinary perversity will continue to manufacture it”. Jealousy manages the characters’ lives in "Othello" from the beginning of the play, when Roderigo feels jealousy towards Othello because he desires to be with Desdemona, and to the ending of the play, when Othello is furious with envy because he supposes Cassio and Desdemona have been engaging in a love affair. Some characters’ jealousy is generated by other characters.

Read More

Consequences In The Great Gatsby

1771 Words | 8 Pages

Through Othello’s trustworthy nature it causes him to be easily manipulated, resulting in him making choices that impact another human being in a detrimental way. If he would have had his guard up and did not trust people easily, it would not have influenced him to make a decision as to where the outcome is to physically harm an individual. By being influenced by others that can have an affect on one’s decision making can make one want to kill someone for something that they did not

Read More

Bitter Love Tender Lies In Othello

814 Words | 4 Pages

“I swear by the entire world, I think my wife is faithful, and yet I think she isn’t. I think you are truthful, and yet I think you aren’t. I must have proof.” The poison of jealousy courses through Othello’s mind, infecting everything in its

Read More

How Othello's Character Changes

844 Words | 4 Pages

Othello’s character undergoes a significant change due to a series of events at the hands of Iago, the play’s antagonist to enhance the fact that even a valiant heroes can become corrupt. In the beginning of the play, Othello adores

Read More

Identification Of Ecstasy In Othello's Jealousy

1109 Words | 5 Pages

All this jealousy builtbuild up that Othello receives, is what leads him to cause a crime, which he later comes to regret and admires as his fault. In Othello’s soliloquy, he skeptically says “Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage, That we can call these delicate creatures ours, And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad. And live upon the vapor of a dungeon.

Read More

Jealousy Quotes In Othello

759 Words | 4 Pages

This statement is directed towards Othello, and is significant for many reasons. This statement directly relates to how Iago is targeting Othello’s major weakness, which is jealousy. However, this quote also adds dramatic irony to the play because Iago’s major motive throughout the tragedy is his own jealousy of Cassio. This statement also foreshadows how jealousy will ultimately be the cause of the demise of many characters throughout the

Read More

Theme Of Manipulation In Othello

944 Words | 4 Pages

Iago also manipulates Othello with jealousy. When Othello is gone at war, Iago tells him that Cassio and Desdemona were getting too close. At first Othello does not believe him, but by Iago saying “nothing,my lord; or if- I know not what” Othello starts to question if it is true (III. III. 39). Iago constantly uses his “innocence” to make Othello jealous and start to assume that it is true. These actions eventually lead to a tragic event.

Read More

Othello's Jealousy Character Analysis

834 Words | 4 Pages

Othello shows the two types throughout the story and the play, envy and fear, and how they can claw and chew away the the fragile human psyche, like a monster, trying to claw out of a deep dark hole that has had a trap on it for days without end. Othello is one of the great examples of how jealousy can teach us not to be overcome by dark things, to always stay strong and believe in our own thoughts, and that the poison known as jealousy, can make or break even the best of people a slow killing venom that makes the weak sick and twisted. This play teaches us that jealousy has no good outcomes, only horrid and how it shows no mercy to anyone. Jealousy is a card no one should or ever want to play with a deck full of

Read More

Othello's Jealousy

796 Words | 4 Pages

Iago says later “ the moor already changes with my poison dangerous conceits are in their nature of poison which at the first scare found to distaste but with little act upon blood burn like mines of sulphur i did say so look where he comes note poppe nor mandragora nor all the drowsy syrups of the world shall ever medicine thee to the sweet sleep which thou owedest yesterday” 3.3.373-282). This quote here is a big on proving jealousy. Iago here realize the power of jealousy. He says here how he poisoned Othello's mind, by saying Desmonia did something horrible, because Iago Succeeded making Othello suspicious, and never being able to have a good night's sleep ever again, even if he uses the best medicine in the world. Iago and Othello are super jealous right now.

Read More

Examples Of Jealousy In Othello

811 Words | 4 Pages

In the play of Othello jealousy caused anger and distrust, which in the end led to much bloodshed. The first time we see jealousy towards Othello is in the council chamber, everyone is gathered together when Othello and Desdemona share how they truly feel about each other and Brabantio was displeased. Brabantio told Othello with much anger, “look to her, moor, if thou hast eyes to see: she has deceived her father, and may thee.” (Othello I.III 293-294)

Read More

Crisis Of Identity In Othello Essay

1327 Words | 6 Pages

Othello’s This rage at Desdemona’s infidelity signals destmetion of his identity as a successful and loving man. It shows that he now completely loses control of himself, he no longer is that gentle man. He has become so poisoned by the manipulation of Iago, he no longer hears out for his “fair

Read More

Effects Of Jealousy In Othello

621 Words | 3 Pages

Shakespeare’s play, Othello, deeply explores the effects of jealousy on a person. Shakespeare also portrays the different types of jealousy and alludes to the causes of them. Othello is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare around 1603, about a man, Iago, who plots to take revenge on a Moorish soldier, Othello, for he has “done my (Iago’s) office”. The deaths of several people, including Othello’s wife Desdemona, Iago’s wife Emilia, Othello and Iago’s companion Roderigo, were all directly linked to Iago’s actions. Othello illustrates that jealousy often leads to revenge, jealousy can prevent a successful relationship, and jealousy leading to one’s downfall.

Read More

How Does Jealousy Lead To Othello's Downfall

970 Words | 4 Pages

In Othello, it is jealousy that ultimately leads to the downfall of three characters, Roderigo, Othello and Iago. " O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green eyed monster" (III.iii.163). Although, Othello is not the only play where William Shakespeare has made jealousy a central motivator. He did it in Macbeth also. Jealousy has many faces between these two plays and in both they lead to the downfall of characters.

Read More

Analysis Of Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

2220 Words | 9 Pages

Jealousy in Othello leads to his insecurity after his mind being onslaught by Iago. Nordlund reasons, “The typical interpretation of Othello’s jealousy…, is that it arises from low self-esteem” (Theorising Modern Jealousy 154). His internal complication was actually created by external force—Iago. Othello shows proud and confidence to his achievements, he is aware that he is being loved and admired; furthermore, he is sure that he deserves Desdemona. Iago intelligently recognizes the moment of Othello’s anxiousness starts and exploits it.

Read More

How Is Othello A Tragic Hero

440 Words | 2 Pages

William Shakespeare reveals Othello’s tragic flaw, irrational jealousy, as the plot builds to his downfall. Irrational jealousy begins when Iago tells Othello “why go to then! She that so young could give out such a seeming” (III, iii,207-208). Iago makes Othello jealous regarding the supposed affair between Cassio and Desdemona by constantly hinting about it to Othello. Throughout the play, Iago manipulates Othello’s insecure and jealous mind.

Read More

More about Othello's Jealousy

Related Topics

Open Document