EXAMPLE OF JEALOUSY (IAGO SOLILOQUY) No question; hence no thesis stated (simply a deconstruction on theme jealousy in extract & play) A central idea that is explored within these extracts is the jealousy and the nature of it which is exhibited through the antagonist, Iago. Iago experiences jealousy as he demonstrates aspects when speaking of the Moor supposedly sleeping with his wife. “It is thought abroad; that twixt my sheets and he has done my office/I know not if if’t be true...but will do as if for surety.” This represents Iago’s jealousy as he justifies his reason for revenge on the Moor by stating a superficial motive in which is the Moor having sexual encounters with his wife. The play explores jealousy through other characters in the play like the protagonist Othello. Shakespeare exposes Othello’s hamartia which is his self-control of jealousy.
From the start of the play, Iago expresses his jealousy of both Cassio and Othello. He is jealous of Cassio for securing the job of lieutenant Iago feels he deserved, and jealous of Othello not only from the promotion of Cassio, but also from his belief that Othello has slept with Emilia. This insecurity and jealousy he feels leads him to commit acts of revenge. As he becomes fixed on the idea of revenge, Iago speaks in a soliloquy he will not be satisfied "Till I am even with him, wife for wife, or failing so, yet that I put the Moor At least into a jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure". Roderigo’s jealousy also starts from the very beginning of the play.
Iago is jealous of both Othello and Cassio because of the same issue. He is jealous of Othello because Othello gave Cassio a promotion as his military lieutenant when Iago feels that he should have deserved it. Iago is also jealous of Othello because he heard rumours about Othello sleeping with his wife, Emilia. “I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets has done my office,” Act 1. Sc.
For example when he convinces Cassio to drink even though Cassio doesn’t want to, when he convinces Emilia to steal the handkerchief from Desdemona even though she doesn’t want to. • When Brabantio goes to the Duke to tell about Othello having “stolen” his daughter we see how he feels as though he is in control of the situation and he appears to be powerful when the he tells the Duke what happened and the Duke replies “Whoe’er he be that in this foul proceeding hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself and you of her, the bloody book of law you shall yourself read in the bitter letter after your own sense, yea, though our proper son stood in your action” However, once the Duke hears that its Othello, Brabantio loses all the power that he appeared to have in this scene. • The Duke is in a position of power as he calls the shots as to what happens with Othello. He is able to protect Othello from Brabantios accusations because he is in a position of authority. • In Act 2 Scene 3, after the brawl has happened between Cassio, Roderigo and Montano, Iago is put in a position of power when he is asked to speak about what happened to cause this brawl, he pretends as though it hurts him to tell of what Cassio did but in reality we know that he is lying and is manipulating Othello.
There isn’t a shred of the Othello from Act one left by the tragic ending of the play as highlighted by Lodovico “thou Othello, that wert once so good.” The mere possibility of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness and the question of her fidelity are unbearable for ‘valiant’ Othello, he would rather “the general camp, Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body” than to have doubts floating in his mind. These suspicions planted by Iago eventually corrupt his mind and blind his sense of reason that leads to his tragic downfall;
Iago states it himself in 1.3.387-388 “I hate the Moor; And it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets”. There is a motivation that is never actually mentioned in the play, and that is that Iago has homosexual feeling for Othello. Iago is jealous of Othello’s affection towards Desdemona and that is one of the reasons why he manipulates Othello into killing her. There is also a burning hatred towards Othello. Iago’s anger towards Othello is really anger at himself for his unholy wants.
This statement is backed up by his blatant lack of care about the fates of the innocent people who get dragged into his revenge plot. Take Desdemona for example, a pure and faithful companion, killed by the man that loved her dearly, just to bring satisfaction to Iago. Another pawn in Iago’s revenge attack is Cassio: ‘If I can fasten but one cup upon him, with that which he hath drunk to-night already, he'll be as full of quarrel and offence as my young mistress' dog’. Iago schemes to get Cassio drunk because he knows Cassio will end up getting into a fight. Because he wants Cassio to get in trouble with Othello so that Desdemona will try to intervene on Cassio's behalf, which will make Othello
Iago has many rather theoretical reasons for his revenge, one of which being his failure to receive the spot of lieutenant, and the other being that he “suspect[s] the lusty Moor” of sleeping with his wife, Emilia. Iago, being a very jealous and icy man sees that the only way to be “even’d with him” is to go “wife for wife”. Iago’s revenge is a carefully plotted strategy that involves many intricate details and occurrences. This extract tells the reader a lot about Iago’s plan that has previously only been assumed. Iago is so emotionally detached that he claims his ‘love’ for Desdemona exists predominantly “to diet [his] revenge”.
He also acts upon his jealousy by formulating a plan to get Cassio fired. “If I can fasten but one cup upon him…He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense as my young mistress’ dog,” (II, iii, line 49). Here he tries to get Cassio fired by getting him drunk so he will make a fool of himself. These quotes only further prove that at first Iago was friends with Othello but through his jealousy his character needed revenge and brought out his inner evil. Another character that shows signs of jealousy is Rodergio.
He sins against his whole family and by thinking that love can be quantified. And as it turns out, Lear isn’t only separating his family but power and responsibility as well. His very unpredictable, easily aggravated temper causes him to act wrongly and irrationally towards Cordelia, his favorite daughter who, he believes has betrayed her. Lear cannot understand that anyone’s, let alone his daughter’s, love for him could be ‘nothing’. I think pride, anger and greed for power prompted Lear to make the decision of giving up the kingdom to his malicious, hateful and ungrateful daughters, Regan and Cordelia.