Essay on Othello; Jealousy - 1702 Words

Throughout Shakespeare’s Othello, the major theme of jealousy is apparent. The tragedy Othello focuses on the doom of Othello and the other major characters as a result of jealousy. In Shakespeare’s Othello, jealousy is portrayed through the major characters of Iago and Othello. It utterly corrupts their lives because it causes Iago to show his true self, which in turn triggers Othello to undergo an absolute conversion that destroys the lives of their friends. Othello represents how jealousy, particularly sexual jealousy, is one of the most corrupting and destructive of emotions. It is jealousy that prompts Iago to plot Othellos downfall; jealousy, too, is the tool that Iago uses to arouse Othellos passions. Roderigo and Bianca†¦show more content†¦Lovingly he sighs, Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul, / But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, / Chaos is come again (90–92). A conversation follows between Othello and Iago, in which Iago continues to imply that he knows something that he refuses to divulge, Othello denies that he would give himself over to jealousy. In his denial, he shows himself most vulnerable. He is consumed with doubt and suspicion. Othello voices his old fears that Brabantio was right, that it was unnatural for Desdemona to love him, that he was too horrible to be loved, and that it could not last. Iago leaves, and Othello contemplates his situation: He could be tricked, married to a woman who is already looking at other men, and he fears that he must wipe her out of his heart. He tries to tell himself that it is not true. Iago also urges Othello to recall that Desdemona deceived her own father by marrying Othello. To Brabantio, Desdemona pretended to be afraid of Othellos dark looks; she pretended to shake and tremble at Othellos exotic demeanor, yet she lovd them [Othellos features] most (207). The implication is clear; Iago does not have to state it: If Desdemona deceived her own flesh and blood, she might just as naturally deceive her husband. When Desdemona re-enters, Othellos aspect is changed; he watches her intently, looking for signs, and brushes away her handkerchief when she seeks to sooth him. TheyShow MoreRelatedOthello- Jealousy1814 Words   |  8 PagesJealousy, â€Å"the green-eyed monster† Shakespeare is consistent in his use of repeated themes throughout his works, particularly those of love, death, and betrayal. Shakespeare repeats these themes to set the mood through his works. It is important for Shakespeare to be consistent with his themes, or the plays would lose their meaning and mood. All of these themes are present in Othello, but the most dominant is the theme of jealousy, which presents itself multiple times throughout the play. We seeRead MoreEssay on Jealousy in Othello1076 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare’s Othello is a play consistently based on jealously and the way it can destroy lives. One is quick to think this jealously is based on Othello’s lack of belief in Desdemona’s faithfulness to him or his suspensions over Desdemona’s affair with Cassio, Othello’s honorable lieutenant. Upon closer inspection of the jealously that exists throughout the play it becomes clear that his jealously is not the sole start and rea son for all of the destruction that occurs. Iago, a good friend ofRead MoreJealousy and Race in Othello 1430 Words   |  6 PagesOthello is one of Shakespeare’s tragedies; originally written as a play and performed to an Elizabethan audience. Othello and many of Shakespeare’s other plays have been performed to various audiences since, and have been adapted into Opera, Ballet, Film and television productions. 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In Europe, people of white complexion were the majority and all other races were considered to be less important and inferior.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are several characters in this play that portray this mentality. These characters include Brabantio, Roderigo and Emilia. But by far, the faceRead MoreJealousy: The Root of Evil in Shakespeares Othello537 Words   |  2 PagesJealousy is the root of all evil. It eats away at the mind, and fuels the fire for hatred. It makes people act in strange ways and takes over the body. The reason that Iago hates Othello is because Iago hates himself. He hates himself because he is jealous of all the things that other people have in their lives and he does not. Iago’s ambition in the play, Othello, by William Shakespeare, shows that he will do almost anything in order to get what he wants. Iago’s jealousy fuels his fire for his hatredRead MoreJealousy By William Shakespeare s Othello1439 Words   |  6 PagesDangers Of Jealousy If jealousy takes over the human mind it can eat a person like termites on wet wood. In that moment of jealousy an individual can do anything, which results in bad decisions in life. Often people try to get rid of the jealousy they keep inside them by making evil choices. In the novel Othello by Shakespeare, Othello demonstrates how can an individual completely ruin himself in the phase of jealousy. The other noteworthy instance of jealousy is portrayed by Brabantio, which is