Jealousy in Cymbeline and Othello
The play Cymbeline is a romance written by Shakespeare. This play has many themes, among them: jealousy. The characters presented in the play Cymbeline are similar to some of the characters in Othello. Based on the first act of the play Cymbeline seemed like it would be a tragedy just like the play Othello. These plays are similar in their use of jealousy, and the effect of jealousy.
Jealousy is a big issue in both plays. In Cymbeline, Posthumus is easily persuaded by Iachimo because of Posthumus’ jealousy. Iachimo describes Imogen’s bedroom room, and a birth mark that she has on her bosom; as a proof of her dishonesty, and Posthumus believes him. The same thing happens in Othello. Iago easily convinces …show more content…
Their plans are driven by jealousy. However, Posthumus reacted differently than Othello. At the minute that Posthumus heard his wife cheated on him, he immediately ordered her death. He did not even think about asking his wife or wait for other clear evidence. He just let his jealousy, and anger guide him to seek revenge. On the other hand, Othello waited for evidence. He also did not ask for any explanations from his wife; he just interpreted the evidence wrong because he was blinded by jealousy. However, Othello had Iago constantly reminding him of his wife’s lack of virtue. It’s very interesting that both Othello and Posthumus do not get mad at the person who their wives’ cheated with; instead they blame women in general. They furiously curse the women and do not say a thing about the man. For example, Posthumus says; “… The vows of women/ Of no more bondage be to where they are made/ Than they are to virtues, which is nothing…” (2.4.110-12.). Not even for a second does Posthumus blame Iachimo for seducing his wife, it never occurs to him that Iachimo could had forced Imogen to take off her clothes, or raped her! All Iachimo wanted was to win the bet, Posthumus never even thought of that. The same thing occurs with Othello. He blames Desdemona for not being fair, “Damn her, lewd minx!/ Oh, damn her, damn her!...”(3.4.492.) The only reason Othello wanted to kill Cassio is because Iago kept telling …show more content…
For example, both Desdemona and Imogen are very bold, courageous, adventurous, very romantic, and passionate. They are both extremely beautiful, any man would be lucky to marry them. Their lives are also similar in a way because, they both eloped to be with the men they love. Sadly, they both are unappreciated by their possessive husbands. It’s very interesting that in both plays these two women are falsely accused of adultery and the final evidence of their “slander” is a special object given by their husbands. For instance, Desdemona has a handkerchief that her husband gave her as a way of demonstration of his love for her. The handkerchief was previously owned by his mother. However, at the end of the play the handkerchief is the main key to “prove” Desdemona’s infidelity. The same happens to Imogen; at the beginning of the play Posthmus gives Imogen a bracelet as a prove of his love for her and she gives him her ring. The bracelet was used as the final “proof” of Imogen’s
The play Cymbeline is a romance written by Shakespeare. This play has many themes, among them: jealousy. The characters presented in the play Cymbeline are similar to some of the characters in Othello. Based on the first act of the play Cymbeline seemed like it would be a tragedy just like the play Othello. These plays are similar in their use of jealousy, and the effect of jealousy.
Jealousy is a big issue in both plays. In Cymbeline, Posthumus is easily persuaded by Iachimo because of Posthumus’ jealousy. Iachimo describes Imogen’s bedroom room, and a birth mark that she has on her bosom; as a proof of her dishonesty, and Posthumus believes him. The same thing happens in Othello. Iago easily convinces …show more content…
Their plans are driven by jealousy. However, Posthumus reacted differently than Othello. At the minute that Posthumus heard his wife cheated on him, he immediately ordered her death. He did not even think about asking his wife or wait for other clear evidence. He just let his jealousy, and anger guide him to seek revenge. On the other hand, Othello waited for evidence. He also did not ask for any explanations from his wife; he just interpreted the evidence wrong because he was blinded by jealousy. However, Othello had Iago constantly reminding him of his wife’s lack of virtue. It’s very interesting that both Othello and Posthumus do not get mad at the person who their wives’ cheated with; instead they blame women in general. They furiously curse the women and do not say a thing about the man. For example, Posthumus says; “… The vows of women/ Of no more bondage be to where they are made/ Than they are to virtues, which is nothing…” (2.4.110-12.). Not even for a second does Posthumus blame Iachimo for seducing his wife, it never occurs to him that Iachimo could had forced Imogen to take off her clothes, or raped her! All Iachimo wanted was to win the bet, Posthumus never even thought of that. The same thing occurs with Othello. He blames Desdemona for not being fair, “Damn her, lewd minx!/ Oh, damn her, damn her!...”(3.4.492.) The only reason Othello wanted to kill Cassio is because Iago kept telling …show more content…
For example, both Desdemona and Imogen are very bold, courageous, adventurous, very romantic, and passionate. They are both extremely beautiful, any man would be lucky to marry them. Their lives are also similar in a way because, they both eloped to be with the men they love. Sadly, they both are unappreciated by their possessive husbands. It’s very interesting that in both plays these two women are falsely accused of adultery and the final evidence of their “slander” is a special object given by their husbands. For instance, Desdemona has a handkerchief that her husband gave her as a way of demonstration of his love for her. The handkerchief was previously owned by his mother. However, at the end of the play the handkerchief is the main key to “prove” Desdemona’s infidelity. The same happens to Imogen; at the beginning of the play Posthmus gives Imogen a bracelet as a prove of his love for her and she gives him her ring. The bracelet was used as the final “proof” of Imogen’s