Othello: Jealousy Character Analysis

Throughout an individual’s life, they make millions of decisions. Decisions ranging from as simple as whether one should cross the street, to as complex as whether one should commit a felony, can all have major and disruptive effects on one’s life. The play Othello, by William Shakespeare, follows an honoured army general named Othello in 16th century Venice as he deals with his close personal assistant, Iago, and the lies told by Iago concerning his Wife’s loyalty. Throughout the entire play, Othello, Cassio, and Iago commit acts, big and small, which affect their lives in gigantic ways. The play Othello uses the experiences of Cassio, Iago, and Othello to display how jealousy and oversight can ruin one’s life, especially when they make decisions …show more content…
Throughout the play, Iago is driven by jealousy over Cassio’s promotion to lieutenant to be the villain that he is. In his opening speech, Iago talks of Cassio’s promotion, “ 'I have already chose my officer. ' And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine” (Shakespeare 1.1.16-19) Iago is angered by the fact that Cassio won the promotion to lieutenant instead of himself. Driven by emotions, Iago becomes consumed with jealousy and makes it his life goal to get revenge. Iago made the mistake of allowing his jealousy and emotions get the better of him, which eventually tears apart Iago’s life. Iago’s life is fully ruined when he is revealed to be the villain he is. After confessing to his scheme, Othello shouts at Iago, “I look down towards his feet, but that’s a fable. If that thou be’st a devil, I cannot kill thee. [Stabs Iago]” (Shakespeare 5.2.299-300) This is the point where Iago’s life is truly ruined. If Iago dies, he is dead forever. If Iago survives, he will forever be tortured and known as a criminal. This all happens to Iago because he made the mistake of allowing jealousy and his emotions to control and ruin his life. Othello’s life is also ruined because of his