Othello Jealousy Essay

526 Words3 Pages
Othello, one of the catastrophic tragedies by William Shakespeare, an eminent English poet and playwright, portrays the story of a general in the service of Venice; Othello, is manipulated by his ensign Iago, against his beloved wife Desdemona and his honest and trustworthy lieutenant, Cassio. Throughout the play Shakespeare tries to address the theme “jealousy” by using language techniques such as metaphors, and examples of other characters. He positions the readers in regard to this theme by informing the dangers of Jealousy, and how it can be fuelled by mere circumstantial evidence that can destroy innocent lives. In the play, ’jealousy’ is the main reason which abolishes the lives of the most of characters. A malicious character such as Iago generates jealousy in others ingeniously. He is consumed with jealousy of Cassio and concealed with hatred of Othello as he was not chosen for the Cassio’s promotion. He also suffers from sexual jealousy in which he suspects Emilia with Othello. His main intention is to engineer jealousy in others and get revenge. Even though Iago uses jealousy against Othello he still asserts that, “Beware, my lord, of Jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock’ The meat it feeds on.” This notion explains us how Iago, himself sees the danger of being jealous where he uses the strong metaphor ‘the green eyed monster’ to refer ‘jealousy’. The way Iago’s jealousy cause many deaths and downfall of himself is an important evident which persuade us to see the destructive nature of Jealousy. Othello, who is considered as the ‘hero’ of the play, suffers from sexual jealousy, too. Othello’s character action is the main example which makes me agree completely, with the fact that jealousy brings destruction. In the play, Iago convinces Othello, that Desdemona has been an unfaithful wife with Cassio. Othello is jealous of Cassio.
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