Jealousy as just another human weakness.
Jeal•ou•sy noun: unhappy or angry feeling of wanting what someone else has; also commonly used to describe the unhappy feeling caused by the belief that a lover is liked by or likes someone else. While some use jealousy as a driving force to better themselves, this is clearly not the case in Shakespeare’s Othello. As a major theme, jealousy is essentially the cause that pushes the characters to their tragic demises. Interestingly, the play portrays jealousy in two forms, fear versus envy; personified in Othello and Iago, respectively. 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
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As he nears his goal, he is even more motivated to “bring this monstrous birth to the world's light” (1.3.447). Initially, he is angry at Othello for promoting Cassio to a position he believes he is far more worthy of. Iago, who “had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other rounds Christian and heathen” (1.1.25-27) feels a certain entitlement to the position, over Cassio who “never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows” (1.1.19-20) and is supposedly just a “bookish theoric” (1.1.21). This arouses envy in Iago and he holds Cassio as both a target and chess piece. Unlike Othello, the envious Iago is not hesitant; he is certain of his desires and is ruthless delivering them. Cassio and Othello both have things he wants; therefore, he wants them dead in order to attain those things for himself. Roderigo, as Desdemona’s suitor, envies Othello for marrying her; and plays Iago’s henchman for most of the play. Iago assures him repeatedly that Desdemona will come to love him and not Othello, Iago then proposes a procedure that Roderigo is manipulated into following. Despite his better judgment and morals, his lasting feelings for Desdemona and his envy towards Othello cause him to constantly allow himself to be led by Iago. There are instances when Roderigo rejects Iago “I have heard too much, and your words and performances are no kin together.”) (4.2.180-81) followed by stating “I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fopped in it” (4.2.193-93) only to be sucked back into Iago’s spell at the mention of Desdemona from Iago’s empty promises “If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona,” (4.2.215) This is precisely when Iago persuades Roderigo to kill Cassio. He refuses initially, but eventually relents when he thinks he may still have a chance with
Roderigo pays Iago for this false hope that he will be with Desdemona (1162). When he believes he is getting closer to being with her, however, Iago tells him that it might not happen because Desdemona is in love with Cassio (1169-70). Roderigo is greatly angered by this and resolves to do what it takes to stop Cassio from getting Desdemona even if it means taking his life. His attempt to kill Cassio, however, is unsuccessful, and instead he is the one injured (1175). Roderigo is no longer consumed with thoughts of being with Desdemona. Instead he is consumed with feelings of hatred toward those who might have her love and attention.
Jealousy is a powerful emotion that can blind oneself from identifying the truth. Shakespeare heavily emphasizes this theme throughout the drama Othello, especially through the actions of characters. In the play the heinous antagonist, Iago, uses each character’s jealousy to deceive that person and manipulate the truth. His false promises and deceitfulness bring to the demise of many of the main characters in the play, including the protagonist, Othello. Othello could not have been deceived if it were not for his powerful jealousy. Therefore, Shakespeare is telling us that jealousy is an ugly trait that can hide the truth, which in turn causes many problems between characters in the play.
Jealousy and betrayal are two words that often go hand in hand, especially in a relationship. In a relationship, the act of envy usually leads to betrayal when a person is being attentive of the other’s success and achievements. These type of relationships always have unpleasant endings that can be as bad as claiming the lives of innocent people around them. This shows how jealousy, betrayal, revenge can negatively impact people’s lives and can lead to a series of tragedies in the life of a hero. A good example of this is in Othello by William Shakespeare, it is shown Iago is infuriated with that fact that Othello is in the upper class while he is stuck in the lower class. A Marxist analysis is shown here because Iago does everything in
first of all the characters in the play to be attacked by the "green -
In the play, Othello, jealousy and envy are prominent themes from the beginning to the end. As the play starts to unwind, you can see jealousy is the major cause of all the drama in the play. Jealousy or envy is a feeling of discontented or resentful longing by someone else’s possessions , qualities or luck. Iago becomes engulfed by jealousy and it causes him to corrupt Othello. They are two men that cause similar crimes but we sympathize for Othello and hate Iago because they have different attitudes towards their crime.
But jealousy, and especially sexual jealousy, brings with it a sense of shame and humiliation. For this reason it is generally hidden; if we perceive it we ourselves are ashamed and turn our eyes away; and when it is not hidden it commonly stirs contempt as well as pity. Nor is this all. Such jealousy as Othello’s
In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, Iago demonstrates a mastery of manipulation over people who had previously trusted and confided in him. His sudden turn from Othello’s loyal ensign to rage-filled villain seems indicative of a man who can no longer accept his position in life. Iago’s plotting of Othello’s demise starts as idle talk of a disgruntled 28 year-old career military man passed over for promotion. Iago believes that such a promotion may never come after Othello rejects his candidacy and makes it clear that he did not believe him suitable. He sees Othello is only concerned with personal and political gain with his choice of Cassio as lieutenant. When Iago teams with love-scorned and desperate Roderigo, he begins
.In the play, Othello written in 1603 By William Shakespeare the idea of the power of intense jealousy is shown between the characters of Othello and Iago by demonstrating the lengths a person is willing to go due to the jealous mind that has been created in them. Topic sen: In the play the root of most of the issues is Iago; He deems it necessary to hurt other people because he himself is Jealous for not getting the job he wished for.
In other words, Cassio is a man who knows as much about war as an old woman does, unless it is what he has read in books. Therefore, Iago finds him hardly qualified for the job he has gained. Iago is also jealous toward Othello because it is rumored that he has slept with his wife Emilia. (Find Quote In Book) Iago now has a motive to make Othello think that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair to get revenge on Othello and achieve his goal. His hatred and jealously toward Othello and Cassio seem to turn Iago, himself into “the green-eyed monster” (III.iii.1203) that leads him down a path of destruction.
Later on in the play, Iago lies to Roderigo when he tells him that Othello will be taking Desdemona with him to Mauritania. He suggests that if Roderigo ever wants to see Desdemona again he has to make sure that Othello extends his stay in Cyprus. To do so, he suggests that Cassio must be killed, “Why, by making him uncapable of Othello’s place—/ knocking out his brains.”(4.2.226-227). If Othello goes to Mauritania, Cassio will be assigned Othello’s place. By killing Cassio, Iago gets his revenge and Roderigo would have a chance to win over Desdemona. Roderigo’s character is used to portray the theme of manipulation. He is persuaded into doing Iago’s ill deeds. Iago is only after one thing, to be appointed lieutenant, and he will do whatever is necessary to reach his goal.
Jealousy is a powerful drug. When someone is jealous, one can only imagine how far someone would go because of it. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, there were several characters that went through different ways of processing their jealousy. Iago’s jealousy provokes his idea to get back at the people he felt was not deserving enough of the things they had or their happiness. His plans succeeds but by the end, no one wins. Iago’s jealousy forms at the beginning of the play which causes Othello’s jealousy towards the end and because of it, it results in people hurt mentally and physically.
In the play Othello, jealousy is shown to be very evident through the actions of the characters. Jealousy is an emotion that everyone shares, and it is ultimately responsible for the tragic ending of the play. Everyone feels jealous at certain times of their lives, and this feeling can cause people to do irrational things. This human emotion also shows people to be weak in the sense that they are never happy with what they have. Shakespeare shows through Othello, Iago, Roderigo, and Brabantio that jealousy is the most corrupt and destructive emotion.
Othello is a play about jealousy’s causes and effects. Each character in the play had different reasons to be jealous and each of them chose to deal with it a certain way. All three characters Iago, Othello, and Roderigo had such cases and in the end dealt with different conflicts and outcomes. It’s important to understand that their actions in dealing with their jealousies were a reflection of their characters, and persona.
In Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, good is often confronted by evil, in which almost every case is in the form of jealousy. Iago, the plays antagonist, is a very manipulative villain. Iago uses his own agony and distress brought upon him by his envy of others, to provoke the same agony within the characters in the play. Jealousy’s ability are shown to influence people to new ends and make all humanistic judgment disappear leaving that man a monster torn apart by envy. Jealousy’s true destructive wrath and the pure evil it brings out in people can be revealed through Iago’s actions throughout the tragedy Othello.
Jealousy is described as someone who is feeling or showing envy of someone because of their achievements and advantages. Jealousy plays a major role in Shakespeare’s play Othello. There are many instances throughout the play that show jealousy between the characters. Throughout the play, jealousy is used for destructive purposes only. I believe that Iago longed to get revenge on Othello for previous issues. This only results in a long line of accusations and disputes between the characters in Othello.