Jealousy in Iago – Essay – vasmf17
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Jealousy in Iago
vasmf17
Green Eyed Monster
Jealousy is a central theme in the tragic Shakespearean play Othello to a very large extent. It is the detrimental consequences of jealousy which drives the plot forward, and ultimately leads to some of the main charactersâ tragic demises at the end of the play. Iago, consumed by jealousy, masks this feeling through his hatred towards Othello as he was overlooked as a potential lieutenant, and his sneaking suspicion that Othello is sleeping with his wife. Iago engineers a plan in order to project this feeling onto those involved, which utterly corrupts their lives as it causes Iago to show his true self, and triggers Othello to undergo an absolute conversion.
Jealousy can be defined as an emotion whose effects frequently get out of control. In the play, its devastating properties are referred by Iago to that of a âgreen eyâd monster which doth mock/the meat it feeds on.â Indeed, it is this âmonsterâ possessed by all human beings that acts as a catalyst for the playâs dramatic plot of revenge, betrayal and destruction, which is why jealousy is, to a very large extent, a central theme in Othello. In fact, the play opens with a discussion of this central theme. Iago is upset because Othello has chosen Cassio, âa great arithmeticianâŠthat never set a squadron in the fieldâ as his lieutenant, when Iago himself believes that that he was âworth no worse a placeâ. It is this initial professional jealousy that seems to serve as Iagoâs starting motivation to manipulate others around him, in order to take his revenge on Othello.
Through subtle and consistent insinuation from Iagoâs part, Othello gradually grows suspicious of Cassioâs and Desdemonaâs relationship. From âI do not think but Desdemonaâs honest,â and demanding âthe ocular proofâ, to asking Iago to âset on thy wife to observeâ, then bursting with anger and wishing to âtear her all to piecesâ, and calling her âdevil.â Sexual jealousy overrides Othelloâs rational thoughts completely, and drives him to the point of smothering Desdemona. Othello first experiences this sense of jealousy when he and Iago enter the room, and
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By: vasmf17
Submitted: February 20, 2016
Essay Length: 592 Words / 3 Pages
Paper type: Essay Views: 444
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