preview

Jealousy By William Shakespeare 's Othello

Decent Essays

Jealousy is an individual showing envy of someone or what they have. In Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello, jealousy plays a major role throughout the tragedy. Iago, Othello 's ancient , acts as the antagonist and is very manipulative. Iago envy of Othello’s position of power causes issues between Othello and Desdemona. His premeditated motives are used in the tragedy to manipulate the other characters. Iago’s wicked actions of revenge causes destruction in the play. To begin, Jealousy is a strong emotion that can affect an individual from seeing the truth. In Othello, Shakespeare vigorously uses jealousy as a theme throughout the tragedy. Iago, maliciously uses other character’s jealousy to betray one another and manipulate the loyalty …show more content…

Iago is not only jealous of Othello choosing Cassio over him, he also feels like Othello should not have the superior power. In Act 1 of Othello Iago states, “I follow him to serve my turn upon him:/ We cannot all be masters/ cannot be truly follow’s. You shall mark/ Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave/ That (doting his own obsequious baondage)/ Wears out his time, much like his master’s ass” (1.1.44-49). In this scene, Iago explains his destructive plan to Roderigo. Iago is very much bitter towards the people superior to him like Othello and Cassio. Iago declares that in order to get his revenge he will pretend to be loyal to Othello and serve him but he will get his revenge. Iago seeks his revenge on the Moor by going to Desdemona’s father about their secret marriage. Interrupting Brabantio Iago explains, “I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter/ and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs” (1.1.115-117). Iago’s plan to bring Othello down starts with breaking him and Desdemona up, making Roderigo feel that he will have his chance with Desdemona. Iago does not mind turning his friends and his general against one another, he takes more action into getting the revenge he seeks for. Equally important, even though it is Iago’s jealous behavior that causes multiple problems to happen Othello’s jealousy contributed to the tragedy. Othello being very gullible in the drama and believing in Iago, he let his jealousy get

Get Access