Jealousy is defined as a feeling of fear, worry, and insecurity over someone’s possible loss of interest or attention. Othello, one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, presents the theme of jealousy through the characters of Othello, Iago, and Desdemona. Othello is a general in the Venetian army who falls in love with Desdemona, a young woman whose father disapproves of their relationship.
Iago is Othello’s ensign who is jealous of Othello’s success and believes that he should be promoted instead. Iago plots to ruin Othello by convincing him that his wife is cheating on him with one of his subordinates, Cassio. Othello’s jealousy leads him to believe Iago’s lies and he kills Desdemona in a fit of rage. Jealousy is a destructive emotion that can have tragic consequences, as illustrated in Shakespeare’s Othello.
Othello’s character is defined by his jealousy. From the beginning of the play, Othello is paranoid about losing Desdemona’s love. He says to Iago, “I fear, I fear my joy is killed” (1.3.257). Othello is so consumed by jealousy that he cannot see that Iago is manipulating him. Othello’s jealousy leads him to believe Iago’s lies about Desdemona and he kills her in a fit of rage. Othello’s tragic flaw is his insecurity and trust in Iago, which leads to his downfall.
Iago is the catalyst for Othello’s destruction. Iago is jealous of Othello’s success and believes that he should be promoted instead. Iago plots to ruin Othello by convincing him that his wife is cheating on him with one of his subordinates, Cassio. Iago manipulates Othello by playing on his insecurity and jealousy. Iago is a master manipulator who causes Othello’s downfall.
Throughout the play Othello, Shakespeare explores the themes of betrayal, jealousy, revenge and love through S death and manipulation. Of all four themes, it appears that jealousy was most prominent to him. In fact, it’s what led Othello to kill Desdemona in Act 5 scene 2 after realizing he “loved not wisely…but too well”.
The play begins with Iago convincing Othello that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio. Othello is immediately consumed with jealousy and asks Iago for proof. Iago provides Othello with “evidence” that Desdemona is sleeping with Cassio, even though there is none. Othello then starts to doubt his wife and their relationship. In addition, Othello starts to believe that Iago is his true friend and trusts him more than anyone else.
Iago continues to feed Othello’s jealousy by planting the handkerchief that Othello gave Desdemona in Cassio’s room. Othello sees the handkerchief and immediately jumps to the conclusion that his wife is cheating on him. Othello then decides to kill his wife.
In Act 5, Scene 2, Othello finally realizes that he was manipulated by Iago and that his jealousy was misplaced. Othello says “I loved not wisely but too well; / Of one not easily jealous./ It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on” (V.i.404-407). Othello’s jealousy led to his downfall because he allowed himself to be manipulated by Iago. Othello’s jealousy also blinded him from the truth and prevented him from seeing that Iago was the one who was really betraying him.
If Othello had not been jealous, he would have never killed his wife. Othello’s jealousy led to his ruin because it made him do things that he would not have normally done. Othello’s jealousy is a result of Iago’s manipulation and leads to Othello’s downfall.
We may learn from Othello’s behavior that sexual jealousy is harmful and debilitating to one’s emotions. On the other hand, Othello realized that he could not accept the truth that Desdemona was having an “affair,” which caused him to be jealous.
Jealousy is a very dangerous emotion. It can cause one to do things that they would never dream of doing. Othello let his jealousy get the best of him and it cost him everything. Othello allowed Iago to control him with his words. Iago was able to make Othello believe that Desdemona was cheating on him with Cassio.
Othello did not want to believe that Desdemona could ever cheat on him, but he let his emotions take over. Othello’s jealousy led him to kill Desdemona. Othello’s Othello Jealousy And Jealousy Essay downfall was caused by his own jealousy and insecurities. Othello allowed Iago to control him and his emotions. Othello let his jealousy consume him and it cost him the life of the woman he loved.
Iago is deceptive, he transforms the shape of reality, he suggests things so that a person may believe otherwise about an idea, and finally, Iago is astute with timing and his choice of words. Iago manipulates by seeming to favor the other person he’s speaking to by knowing what to say and when to say it.
Othello, being the tragic hero, is Othello is naïve and very gullible. Othello believes Iago over his own wife. Othello’s fatal flaw is trust and he gives into what Iago has to say about Desdemona, which later leads to Othello murdering her. Othello’s jealousy takes over him like a disease and it eventually kills him. Othello smothers Desdemona with a pillow while she’s sleeping in their bedchamber
Iago’s deviousness knows no bounds when it comes to manipulating Othello. Iago starts to fill Othello’s head with doubt and suspicion about Desdemona’s fidelity. Othello’s mind is so consumed with jealousy that he doesn’t even consider the possibility that Iago is lying to him.
Othello starts to believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, which leads to Othello lashing out and trying to kill Cassio. Othello’s feelings of inadequacy also contribute to his downfall. Othello feels insecure in his relationship with Desdemona because he is much older than her and she comes from a higher social class.
In Othello, Shakespeare explores the destructive nature of jealousy and how it can ruin relationships and lives. Jealousy is a major theme in the play and it drives the characters to commit some horrific acts. Othello is consumed by jealousy and it eventually leads to his downfall. Iago is a master manipulator and he is able to exploit Othello’s weaknesses. Jealousy is a dangerous emotion that can have devastating consequences.
