“Jealousy is the fear of comparison,” Max Frisch spoke the truth when it comes to jealousy and the part it plays in Othello. Throughout the play, characters compare themselves to one another and twist their insecurities into reasons to hate one another. The case of hatred that encompasses each individual, and even leads some to kill, resulting in no one to compare themselves to. In a Shakespearean play the main character, without fail, possesses a tragic flaw; in Othello, the Moor of Venice, his hamartia, jealousy, is evident in Iago, Roderigo, Bianca, and the Moor.
Iago has not only been bitten by the green-eyed monster, but he instigates much of the jealousy throughout the tragedy. Without Iago’s initial jealousy of Cassio, the play would have no motivating force. In Act one, Cassio gets promoted to lieutenant. Despite Iago’s doubts pertaining to Cassio’s abilities to command a battalion. Cassio’s profession has previously entailed being, “a great arithmetician” (Shakespeare 731). Iago believes that he, because of his previous profession, should have received the promotion. Mathematics does not have as large a place as experience in …show more content…
Bianca, a prostitute, felt jealousy when Iago began convincing everyone that Cassio loved Desdemona. She, despite her profession, loves Cassio and cannot stand to see him with another woman. Cassio, however, proves his love to her by giving her a handkerchief that he found in his room. Her jealousy blinds her to this kind gesture and she accuses Cassio of its origins. She asks if it had come from “a newer friend” (Shakespeare 785), referring to Othello’s wife, Desdemona. Despite Cassio’s attempts at proving he knew not where the handkerchief had come from, Bianca still remains jealous. Cassio then comforts her by telling her that he will come over that night. In Act four, Iago used that rendevous to his advantage, further kindling Othello’s rage and
Iago has not only been bitten by the green-eyed monster, but he instigates much of the jealousy throughout the tragedy. Without Iago’s initial jealousy of Cassio, the play would have no motivating force. In Act one, Cassio gets promoted to lieutenant. Despite Iago’s doubts pertaining to Cassio’s abilities to command a battalion. Cassio’s profession has previously entailed being, “a great arithmetician” (Shakespeare 731). Iago believes that he, because of his previous profession, should have received the promotion. Mathematics does not have as large a place as experience in …show more content…
Bianca, a prostitute, felt jealousy when Iago began convincing everyone that Cassio loved Desdemona. She, despite her profession, loves Cassio and cannot stand to see him with another woman. Cassio, however, proves his love to her by giving her a handkerchief that he found in his room. Her jealousy blinds her to this kind gesture and she accuses Cassio of its origins. She asks if it had come from “a newer friend” (Shakespeare 785), referring to Othello’s wife, Desdemona. Despite Cassio’s attempts at proving he knew not where the handkerchief had come from, Bianca still remains jealous. Cassio then comforts her by telling her that he will come over that night. In Act four, Iago used that rendevous to his advantage, further kindling Othello’s rage and