In the play, Othello, the emotion of jealousy is the driving force of the plot in the story. It single-handedly drives the actions of many of the characters in the play. Iago’s jealousy of Cassio and Othello made Iago want to destroy Othello emotionally and mentally. Iago uses this emotion to get other characters to react in certain ways. After that, using his intellect, Iago is able to exploit Othello’s insecurities, which causes Othello’s emotions to spiral out of control sending him into a state of bitterness and anger. He is usually a very calm and elegant man, but Iago’s lies and deceit transform him into a destructive, bitter villain, who cannot see past his own thoughts. Jealousy affects nearly every single major character in the play.
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Jealousy is without a doubt, the most destructive emotion in the play because it caused all of the plot’s chaos.
Even from the beginning of the play, jealousy has a strong grasp on the characters in the tragedy. The first half of the play focuses on the jealousy of Iago. In the beginning, Iago vents his frustration over Othello because of decision to make Cassio as his lieutenant instead of Iago. Not only is Iago jealous of Cassio, but he is jealous of Othello as well. He explains later in a soliloquy that he suspects that Othello has slept with Emilia. Here, Iago’s jealousy is the spark that escalates the action in the play. In the play, jealousy makes the character act in certain ways that they normally would not act. Iago uses that to his advantages. His plan is to implant the jealousy that he feels himself inside of Othello. He also either implants jealousy in other characters or uses their jealousy to get what he wants. He makes Brabantio jealous of Othello by telling him of his marriage with his daughter, Desdemona. To “rouse him” (1.1.68) (I.i.68) was the very first part of his plan. This makes Brabantio jealous of Othello because Othello has taken his daughter’s first allegiance now that …show more content…
Specifically, he plants jealousy in Othello and then uses it to destroy him. He able to plant jealousy inside of Othello by appearing to be his only true friend while his world is falling to pieces all around him. He creates half suspicious-looking interactions between Desdemona and Cassio and then has Cassio ask Desdemona to vouch for Cassio to get his position as lieutenant back. He also makes it seem to Othello that he knows something that Othello does not about Desdemona and Cassio. He even warns Othello about jealousy being a “green-eyed monster” (3.3.165-166) (III.iii.165-166). He also reminds Othello that Desdemona betrayed her father, and if Desdemona betrayed her father, should would betray Othello as well. Othello denies that he will get jealous because he does not think that he is the type of person to let jealousy cause him to act recklessly. However, he is far from correct. Othello’s insecurities about his race makes him extremely jealous of Cassio. He cannot think straight or use rational thought to keep the jealousy out of his head. Othello’s jealousy puts him in a position where he is at the mercy of whatever perception that Iago chooses to show him. This causes Othello to create the tension between him and Desdemona. Iago also utilizes the handkerchief to incite even more jealousy in Othello. When Desdemona loses the handkerchief while trying to comfort Othello, Iago has Emilia pick it up for him and Iago puts it
Jealousy is without a doubt, the most destructive emotion in the play because it caused all of the plot’s chaos.
Even from the beginning of the play, jealousy has a strong grasp on the characters in the tragedy. The first half of the play focuses on the jealousy of Iago. In the beginning, Iago vents his frustration over Othello because of decision to make Cassio as his lieutenant instead of Iago. Not only is Iago jealous of Cassio, but he is jealous of Othello as well. He explains later in a soliloquy that he suspects that Othello has slept with Emilia. Here, Iago’s jealousy is the spark that escalates the action in the play. In the play, jealousy makes the character act in certain ways that they normally would not act. Iago uses that to his advantages. His plan is to implant the jealousy that he feels himself inside of Othello. He also either implants jealousy in other characters or uses their jealousy to get what he wants. He makes Brabantio jealous of Othello by telling him of his marriage with his daughter, Desdemona. To “rouse him” (1.1.68) (I.i.68) was the very first part of his plan. This makes Brabantio jealous of Othello because Othello has taken his daughter’s first allegiance now that …show more content…
Specifically, he plants jealousy in Othello and then uses it to destroy him. He able to plant jealousy inside of Othello by appearing to be his only true friend while his world is falling to pieces all around him. He creates half suspicious-looking interactions between Desdemona and Cassio and then has Cassio ask Desdemona to vouch for Cassio to get his position as lieutenant back. He also makes it seem to Othello that he knows something that Othello does not about Desdemona and Cassio. He even warns Othello about jealousy being a “green-eyed monster” (3.3.165-166) (III.iii.165-166). He also reminds Othello that Desdemona betrayed her father, and if Desdemona betrayed her father, should would betray Othello as well. Othello denies that he will get jealous because he does not think that he is the type of person to let jealousy cause him to act recklessly. However, he is far from correct. Othello’s insecurities about his race makes him extremely jealous of Cassio. He cannot think straight or use rational thought to keep the jealousy out of his head. Othello’s jealousy puts him in a position where he is at the mercy of whatever perception that Iago chooses to show him. This causes Othello to create the tension between him and Desdemona. Iago also utilizes the handkerchief to incite even more jealousy in Othello. When Desdemona loses the handkerchief while trying to comfort Othello, Iago has Emilia pick it up for him and Iago puts it