Jealousy in William Shakespeare´s Othello

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Jealousy is an emotion showing envy to someone's achievements, advantages or possessions. Jealousy can also be for someone's suspicions of unfaithfulness. In the William Shakespeare play "Othello",the major theme of jealousy is portrayed through the characters Roderigo, Iago and Othello. These characters show how jealousy has a destructive influence.
Roderigo shows a destructive influence of jealousy in the play "Othello". His jealousy is for anyone who captures Desdemona's heart. Roderigo desperately wants to marry Desdemona, but her father Barbantio disapproved. When Iago tells Roderigo that Othello has married Desdemona without her fathers consent, he replies ignorantly by saying, "What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe,/ if he can carry't this" (I.i.68-69). He wanted to be with Desdemona badly and because Othello married her without consent he is jealous of him. This begins Roderigo's resentment to Othello, and his thoughts on ruining him. Also, since Othello has married Desdemona without Barbantio's approval. Roderigo helps Iago with his plan to make Desdemona's father aware of the situation, due to the fact that they both want to sabotage Othello. Iago says to Roderigo, "Call up her father,/ Rouse him. Make after him in the streets. Incense her kinsmen,/ And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,/ Plague him with flies." (I.i.70-74), and Roderigo agreed on the plan. Roderigo thinks that if he tells Barbantio he will not accept the marriage, this would give Roderigo another chance with Desdemona. Roderigo's jealousy has influenced him into being self centered. He does not care about Othello's happiness but only pleasing himself. Lastly, Roderigo agrees to help Iago kill Cassio, after Iago manipulates and convinces Rode...

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...alousy is making him turn destructive at this point, wanting to murder. Finally, when Lodovico gives Othello the letter stating that Cassio will be taking his place and he will be going home. Desdemona seems to be thrilled which begins to upset Othello leading him to make rude and sarcastic remarks. He says "I am glad to see you mad...[striking her] Devil!(IV.i.253,255). Not only does the letter irritate him but Lodovico's and Desdemona's conversation about Cassio, put Othello into a jealous rage whih ended in him striking her. His jealousy changes him into a cold hearted person, who later kills his innocent wife Desdemona, and then later stabbing himself. He says before suicide, "... Speak of me as I am, nothing extenuate,/ Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak/... of one not easily jealous, but being wrought,/ Perplex'd in the extreme;" (V.ii.394-398)

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