Jealousy in Othello

Humans are unable to recognize that jealousy is an incurable disease that can cause manipulative false realities. In the play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, it is a clear indication of how one's inherent fears and uncertainties can be exploited and manipulated by a corrupted mind to conquer personal motives. To annihilate Iago’s personal jealousy towards certain characters Iago completely understands his victim’s nature and needs and uses this to completely destroy them. To add to this, Iago does not have any core beliefs or morals easily allowing him to play with others emotions without regret. Therefore Iago’s hate for jealousy leads to Iago manipulating others and playing with their feelings to benefit himself.

He causes much destruction and is driven by a force that the reader cannot even understand. Iago makes himself an outsider by not realizing that his ego causes him to hate and disrespect all of humanity. Iago respects no one and yet is cunning enough to make people continue to trust and respect him. This is a truly super human quality in Iago that allows him to manipulate people to do what he wants without them knowing. He is married to Emilia, and although the reader would see marriage as a sacred bond, Iago manipulates it for his selfish ways.

Later on in the play, Iago blatantly tells Othello that jealousy plagues his mind: As, I confess, it is my nature’s plague To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy Shapes faults that are not—that your wisdom From one that so imperfectly conceits Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble Out of his scattering and unsure observance. (III.iii.172-177) Even if his words were meant to be just a clever act of manipulation, Iago has proven that his words are not entirely false. His jealousy affects every relationship he has, and causes him to viciously fight for his manhood and dignity as if they are all that matter in the world. Jealousy makes something out of nothing and causes Iago’s suspicions to be held as fact, and it even spreads to plague Othello as well. Perhaps Iago is possessed, not by Satan, but by the green-eyed monster of jealousy.

The story Othello has a large portion of jealousy in it; the story even begins with a discussion of jealousy in where Lago is completely outraged by Othello who had selected Cassio as his lieutenant. This event of Lago not given the military position of lieutenant pushes him and makes him want to get even with Othello. The only reason to why Lago shows jealousy is to allow the plays true plot come into action. You would never be able to tell that Lago is a person of pure evil because he always looks and acts so innocent. Lago without a doubt a very important factor of this story, mainly because the human emotion of jealousy would probably never exist if it weren't for him.

Another one of his motives is that he hates goodness and wants to destroy anything that makes people happy such as Othello’s marriage. Iago can also not keep his sense of inferiority and superiority in balance. I do however agree with the part of the quote “the motive hunting” because it is true that Iago does not know why he hates Othello so much therefore he needs to invent many reasons for hating him. I also agree with Iago being a “malignity” because he causes harm to others intentionally. In this play, Shakespeare explores the question “why are people evil?” but he does not know the answer.

Iago finds it nearly impossible to prevent envy from ruling his life, and allows his envy to get out of control. Iago’s loss of control allows envy to ruin the lives of those around him. The envious nature in all men leads us to become vengeful to try to level the field, and if not controlled jealousy and envy can create disastrous situation just like in Othello.

Is this the Princes Brother? Is this face Hero’s? Are our eyes our own? The extent to which Claudio is certain of Hero’s guiltiness due to insubstantial evidence such as her “blush” as guiltiness is alarming, particularly so as he fails to see through Don John’s “exterior shows” as destruction as his vice. Whilst this contrasting, darker atmosphere in a sense generates, what can be considered as, one of the most powerfully dramatic scenes in the play, but perhaps it is the conflict involved at the heart of this conflict, between the colliding views of a reality in which Messina is either a virtuous or corrupt world and wether this potential for tragedy can be averted: this truly generates a dramatically powerful moment in the play.

This still does not change the fact that Iago is a manipulative trickster whose desire for power and revenge leads him to destruction. When it comes to manipulation Iago knows best. Iago goes out of his way to basically destroy Othello, the man who trusts him the most. Iago spends most of his time planning revenge towards Othello and we are left wondering why. When people do bad things it is usual... ... middle of paper ... ... it was in fact a loss because although he was powerful he was banished into a tiny lamp where his powers were useless.

Iago is an evil character as while he has no legitimate reason for his evil plans, he rationalizes the reasons for his actions and still sets out to ruin the lives of those around him. He hates Michael Cassio, for receiving the lieutenancy instead on himself. Ranting to Roderigo, he says, “[Cassio is] mere prattle without practice/Is all his soldiership…And I, of whom his eyes had seen proof…must be beleed and calmed. (I.i.27-32). Iago believes that he has been unjustly overlooked for the position, as he is clearly more qualified than Cassio.

The first sign of jealousy was when Desdemona would talk to Othello about Cassio getting his position back. Othello thought it was a bit strange, and Iago made it worse by exaggerating the situation to Oth... ... middle of paper ... ... in others.” (Hacht). When Iago manipulates everyone, it all stems from his own jealousy, and uses their jealousies to his own advantage against Othello. Plus, the love Othello had for Desdemona disappears because of Iago. It turns into pure hatred because of the jealousy instilled inside of him.