Robyn- Theme of jealousy
The theme of jealousy initially appears in a monologue between Roderigo and Iago found in Act 1, Scene 1. Here is a snippet of the monologue:
“For “Certes”, says he, “I have already chosen my officer.” And what was he? […] One Michael Cassio, a Florentine […] That never set a squadron in the field.” (Othello 1. 1. 17-23)
In this passage, Iago is telling Roderigo how he is jealous of Michael Cassio. Michael Cassio is a man who has been promoted as Othello’s lieutenant. Iago feels as though he’s been cheated, that he himself deserves the position of lieutenant. After all, Iago is the more strategic choice for lieutenant because of the valuable knowledge he poses acquired from years of experience. Instead Cassio get the job, even though he’s young and inexperienced, because he is Othello’s best friend. Iago’s jealousy of Othello develops over the course of the book as Iago undergoes a masterplan to overthrow Othello. Iago’s jealousy of Othello is important as it is the main theme of the story, it is what shapes the whole plot.
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Roderigo is in a tricky situation; he’s in love with the beautiful Desdemona who is already married to Othello. Roderigo is so jealous of Othello that it leads him to become suicidal. “I will incontinently drown myself.” (Othello 1. 3. 301) Iago manages to convince Roderigo into not killing himself by saying that if Roderigo should save money and become rich, Desdemona will surely leave Othello for him. Roderigo’s jealously makes several appearances in the play during his attempts at trying to win Desdemona over. Roderigo’s jealously is a crucial part of the story, because Iago takes advantage of it to manipulate Roderigo, using him as a pawn in his masterplan to take down Othello. When Roderigo chases after Desdemona, Iago makes it look like Desdemona is the one pursuing Roderigo. This makes Othello jealous
(Act I Scene 3, 374-376) In this quote, Iago says he will have some fun during his deceitfulness. He acknowledges Cassio is handsome and can use that against him. This is where Iago first decides to plot Cassio’s fall from grace. Jealousy is a timeless theme which modern audiences relate
Jealousy of power is first displayed through Iago, a solider under Othello’s command. ”One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, a fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife, that never set a squadron in the field”(Act 1, Scene 1). Iago is consumed by jealousy of Cassio, which he masks with hatred of Othello, because Othello took up Cassio as lieutenant and not Iago. In this same scene, we are also introduced to Roderigo, a wealthy Venetian, who is desperately in love with Desdemona, Othello’s wife. This scene is significant because it crafts Iago as the perfect villain. He plans on exploiting Othello’s insecurities in exchange for his own vengeful agenda.
In act One, scene one we see Iago's conversation with Roderigo about Cassio being promoted ahead of him and how Iago believes that this is because of favourtism. This suggests one of many reasons why Iago plots against Othello. From this conversation we see that Iago is envious of Cassio being promoted ahead of him, and plotting against Othello as a means of seeeeking revenge. “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”. Iago believes that he
Throughout Othello, the dramatic irony of “Honest” Iago is detrimental. Iago serves as Othello’s main attendant and is expected to get the promotion to lieutenant. Unexpectedly though, Othello gives the promotion of lieutenant to Michael Cassio. In all, this catalyzes Iago’s plot for revenge and destruction that will destroy every
Roderigo is a co-conspirator with Iago but is not equal in developing a web of lies and jealousy designed to ensnare others. “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse (Shakespeare)”. Iago takes advantage of the desperate former suitor of Desdemona and controls his emotions like a puppeteer pulling strings. With the line, “But for my sport and profit”, it is clear that Iago sees enriching himself off Roderigo’s envy as an amusing task with such an easy mark (Shakespeare 1473). Roderigo is a simple-minded fool who believes that by giving money to a lowly ensign he can win the love of Desdemona, have her marriage to Othello dissolved, and restore her virtue.
He has no regard for the other characters’ well being as his envy is so strong. Roderigo is another character that experiences envy. Roderigo wants to be with Desdemona, but Desdemona is married to Othello. Roderigo is willing to do anything that gives him a chance to be with Desdemona. Iago is able to convince Roderigo to sell all of his assets for money, instigate a fight with Cassio, and attempt to murder Cassio, because his envy is able to overpower his rational thought.
On the surface, it is evident that Iago is hurt by Othello’s decision to make Michael Cassio his lieutenant over him, but as this particular scene develops, it appears that Iago’s envy, jealousy, and hatred are motivated by other elements. “Sir, you’re robbed. For shame put on your gown! / Your heart is burst.
Iago does not stop there, his jealously leads him to start infecting others and the first is Roderigo, a naïve gentleman in Venice. To put his scheme into motion, Iago informs Roderigo of Othello and Desdemona’s elopement, which causes Roderigo to become very upset because he too is in love with Desdemona and is willing to do anything to win her love. Iago plants the seed of jealousy in Roderigo’s mind because he knows he can now use Roderigo “for sport and profit” (I.iii.1180) by playing off his jealousy toward anyone who comes close to Desdemona. After breaking Roderigo down he then, builds him back up by telling him a way they can break up the marriage. Iago tells him:
A victim of the villainous Iago, Roderigo was jealous of Othello’s marriage with Desdemona and tried to break it up by hiring Iago. His jealousy is seen taking its toll on Roderigo after he reacts to the confession of Desdemona’s love for Othello in front of the Duke and Brabantio. After hearing this, Roderigo feels as though all hope is lost and expresses his despair to Iago saying,
Iago has many reasons to be Jealous of Michael Cassio, he is described as the perfect soldier throughout the book, and not only is Iago furious that Cassio was promoted to lieutenant first, but Iago suspects him, as well as Othello, of having an affair with his wife,
Eventually Roderigo and Othello die having trust in Iago’s lies, however Iago’s lies do not bring about their downfalls, but rather the characters’ own weaknesses do, meaning that despite any outside influences, our own flaws are ultimately responsible for our own downfalls, but also that our weaknesses can be overcome through our acknowledgement of them. Roderigo is the only character to, despite Iago’s influence, challenge Iago, however his love and desperation for Desdemona cause him to give in and listen to Iago. After facing rejection from Desdemona multiple times, Roderigo finally wants to give up, threatening to kill Iago if Desdemona does not accept him. Iago channels Roderigo’s final act of desperation, turning his weakness back on
The theme of jealousy is portrayed through various characters within the play. Iago increases Roderigo’s jealousy of Othello. By reflecting on the jealousy he bears within himself, Iago brings out the jealousy in others. Roderigo sees Othello as an opponent, which he has to compete against in order to win Desdemona’s heart. He expresses his emotions towards Othello when he states, “What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe,/ If he can carry it thus!”(1.1.67-68). Roderigo says that Othello only got Desdemona out of luck and he will not be able to carry it off. It is because of this jealousy that Roderigo continues to seek Iago’s assistance. Iago tends
In “Othello”, Iago is an important character to promote the development of plot, which plans a terrible conspiracy to revenge Othello, and leads him to a tragedy as a consequence. The reason why Iago does what he does, because of his ambition to Cassio’s position, his racism for Othello’s race and jealousy of his love. Initially, Iago attempts to become Othello’s lieutenant as a purpose, but Cassio gains this position to stir up his dissatisfaction with Othello. Form this line: “And what was him?/ Forsooth, a great arithmetician/ One Michael Cassio, a Florentine/ A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife/ That never set a squadron in the field/ Nor the division of a battle knows/ More than a spinster (1.1, 18-24).
Iago is jealous of Cassio because Cassio acquired the position Iago wanted and decided to pit Othello against Cassio. He succeeds
Roderigo is also a character who has to cope with both jealousy and betrayal through the play. He is a character who is full of jealousy towards Othello because he is in love with Desdemona, who as a known fact, is married to Othello. Roderigo is consumed by jealousy and even says "What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe, If he can carry it thus!" (1.1.66-67). As roderigo is full of jealousy that opens himself up to being betrayed as he approaches Iago for help.