Preview

Comparing Persuasion And Othello's Jealousy

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2657 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Comparing Persuasion And Othello's Jealousy
The outcome of a marriage is intrinsically linked not only with the nature of a couple’s love but also with the expectations that they have of one another regarding their respective roles in the marriage. Love assumes many different forms but is also variable. Therefore, the manner in which it evolves is significant in determining the outcome of a marriage. Both Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Shakespeare’s Othello explore how the emotions that a couple originally shared can be modified as time passes. This could be due to a number of contributive causes such as: personal differences within a marriage and social pressures as well as interference from others or deterioration in communication. Conversely, in some instances, the nature of a couple’s …show more content…
He maintains a sense of ambiguity surrounding the subject, but it is sufficient to accentuate the jealousy inside Othello, which is the driving force of the rupture of their marriage. Iago’s plan to capitulate on Othello’s jealousy is made explicit when he says that the most insignificant thing presented to a jealous man, is as convincing as a holy sworn truth (“I will in Cassio’s lodging lose his napkin [a]nd let him find it. Trifles light as air [a]re to the jealous confirmations strong [a]s proofs of holy writ”). Furthermore, Othello expresses his distress at the fact that men can possess wives but yet they are unable to control their sexual desires. He subsequently articulates that he would rather be a toad than “keep a corner in the thing I love [f]or other’s uses.” This highlights the transformation from love to resentment and hatred that occurs within Othello regarding Desdemona. In addition, Othello contemplates what may have caused the betrayal of their love – whether it was as a result of: lack of conversation, his race or his …show more content…
On the one hand, Desdemona’s lack of knowledge as to what she has done to anger Othello is crucial to the destruction of their marriage. On the other hand, Othello describes how his knowledge of her affair (or the knowledge that he thinks is correct) is detrimental to his sanity and his marriage. Instead, he believes that he would have been much happier had he been oblivious to his wife’s betrayal (“He that is robb’d, not wanting what is stolen, [l]et him not know’t and he’s not robb’d at all.”). Moreover, Othello’s loss of reputation as a result of being made into a “cuckold” is another destructive force in their marriage. Othello states that “Her name, that was as fresh [a]s Dian’s visage, is now begrim’d and black [a]s mine own face”. Therefore, her betrayal of him has caused him a loss of reputation, something that is fundamental in the failure of their marriage as honour and reputation are two main themes in the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Both Roderigo and Othello let their love for Desdemona overrule reason. Othello begins the play as a high-ranking general newly married to Desdemona. He speaks simply and eloquently, and is able to quell a conflict with only his words: “Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. (I.ii.58-9)” His temperament shifts when Iago, his jealous ensign, convinces him that Desdemona is unfaithful, changing his passionate love into fury. He hotly declares his “sweet Desdemon” (III.iii.56) to be a “lewd minx” (III.iii.477), and irrationally accosts his wife with accusations she knows nothing about. His passion blinds him to the fact that Iago had falsely accused her, and his previous eloquence is transformed into savage ramblings. His anger sways him to the decision to murder Desdemona. Subsequently,…

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello is a Shakespearean tragedy, set in Elizabethan Times that present the relationship between, Othello, a ‘moor’ who’s an official in the Venetian army and Desdemona, the daughter of a noble Venetian Senator, Brabantio, and how despite their different experiences in love, a strong relationship can occur, without any initial external input. Desdemona’s assertive behaviour towards romantically pursing Othello, demonstrates her confidence and power, which she maintains throughout the play. Most significantly, the fact that Othello did not ask for Brabantio’s permission to marry Desdemona, demonstrates how Othello did not consider the traditional values of Elizabeth society. However as they play develops, Iago’s manipulation of Othello’s insecurities, leads to the relationship between Othello and Desdemona falling apart.…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Despite having done his services to the state, he reveals his foolishness as someone who existed within and outside Venetian society giving rise to a series of contradictions. In line 342, he asks others to speak of him as he truly is being, “nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice.” The first contradictory sentence reveals that he does not wish for his guilt to be lessened as suggested by the diction “extenuate.” Nor does he want be considered evil which he would feel ashamed for as Iago is the real villain in the play. Othello reveals in the next line that he has “loved not wisely, but too well” indicating that he was unable to convey the same amount of affection back to Desdemona as she had done to him. Othello’s love for Desdemona reveals a sensitive part of Othello despite his military background. It was Othello’s love for Desdemona, however, that acted as a catalyst to…

    • 839 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    There are many ways d in to fill Othello’s mind with images of Desdemona naked with Cassio. This makes Othello’s jealousy grow. Iago sald be what hey seem; or those that be not would they might seen none!" (3.3.126-127). He is saying that if a man is not trago, but should talk with Desdesuch harsh actions. Iago is mon, logos, or logic. Tmonly used today, and by Iago, and works very affectivel looks, she loved them most" (3.3.206-208). Iago eason for his wife's infidelity. He is trying to say that if Desdemona betrayed him once before, she !" (3.3.416-417). Iago is claiming that Cassio admitted his love for Desdemona in his sleep.…

    • 265 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    | Iago ‘only loves’ Desdemona out of revenge and jealously of Othello as he believes he has slept with his wife. The ‘infidelity’ that is occurring behind is back is eating him alive and so he plans to manipulate Othello in beliving Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. ‘Deception’ aids him to accomplish this task…

    • 453 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jealousy in Othello

    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Othello's jealousy against Desdemona is perhaps the strongest emotion incurred in the play. The jealousy he experiences turns him insane with rage, and he loses all ability to see reason. The first instance that instills doubt in Othello's mind is Brabantio's warning "Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:/She has deceived her father, and may thee" (1.3.292-293). This early seed of doubt allows Iago to play on Othello's jealous nature, and concoct a plan to take advantage of Othello. Iago slowly leaks his poison into Othello and soon has the result he desires, Othello is overcome with jealousy. Othello continuously denies his jealousy, but it is apparent that he is losing his mind with the thought of Desdemona's unfaithfulness. He speaks to Iago saying "No Iago;/I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;/And on the proof, there is no more but this,--/Away at once with love or jealousy!" (3.3.189-192) The fact that he believes that his wife is unfaithful with only insinuations put forth by Iago shows the fact that he is prone to jealousy. Soon after, with Iago's "help" he believes to see undeniable proof that Desdemona is unfaithful with the loss of the handkerchief. Othello experiences jealousy so strong that he delves…

    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello Act 3 Scene 3

    • 438 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Shakespeare’s diction for Iago arouses the idea of suspicion and jealousy in Othello; at first, Iago speaks only the word “jealousy” (167) fixing it into Othello’s imagination then reminds Othello of Desdemona’s deception of her own father “She did deceive her father, marrying you, / And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks, / She loved them most” further planting seeds of suspicion into Othello’s mind as the implication is clear, where Shakespeare’s choice of words, does not need Iago to state it’s true meaning: If Desdemona can deceive her own flesh and blood, she can easily deceive her husband. However, as soon as Iago states his thoughts with Othello, he back tracks what he says “But I am much to blame. / I humbly do beseech you of your pardon / For too much loving you” bringing about once again Iago’s duplicitous nature.…

    • 438 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello’s negative portrayal of himself as a man and Desdemona as a wife illustrates a downward trend in his both his trust of Desdemona and his self-confidence as a result of the schemes of Iago. Iago has been attempting to indoctrinate Othello with the belief that his wife, Desdemona, has been cheating on him with Cassio for some time but it is only recently that Othello has begun to doubt the fidelity of Desdemona. Just two scenes earlier, at the start of Act III, Othello told Iago that he did not believe Desdemona would ever be unfaithful and refused to postulate anymore about the matter unless further evidence was presented. Still basing his suspicion only on the words of Iago, Othello is now all but convinced of Desdemona’s perfidiousness. He speaks highly of Iago calling him a “fellow of exceeding honesty” while speaking of his relationship with Desdemona with disdain, referencing the “curse of marriage.” Othello also uses falcon imagery to describe Desdemona’s suspected infidelity: “If I do prove her haggard, though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings, I’d whistle her off and let her down the wind To prey at fortune.” His use of the word “prey” styles Desdemona as nothing more than a savage, feral beast; a description much different than his prior references of his wife. Othello also describes how he would not hesitate to “let her down the wind” if he ascertained Desdemona had been disloyal, another falcon metaphor that again designates Desdemona a bird of prey: a fiendish and deleterious huntress. Othello also demonstrates his doubts of his wife’s fidelity with declarative, potent words like “curse,” “plague,” “destiny unshunnable,” and “death” to describe marriage and women having affairs. At the end of his speech he uses yet another powerful verb, “Even then this forkèd plague is fated to us when we do quicken.” His use of such powerful language throughout the speech is yet another indication of his loss of trust in Desdemona’s purity.…

    • 692 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Even Othello is not certain about Desdemona’s love; when a perfect young soldier exists, Othello thinks it is reasonable that Desdemona will betray him because of this gentleman’s preferred position in Venetian. He immediately relates her “betrayal” to his color and background. Moreover, their love is based on simple admiration for each other. For Othello, he believes in truth, kindness, and beauty. When a young upper-class woman desires to marry him, she is like a faithful, kind, and beautiful angel. He falls in love with his belief and idea rather than a woman. He describes, “lov'd me for the dangers I had passed, And I lov'd her, that she did pity them." (I.3.190-1) For Desdemona, she falls in love with a brave, heroic soldier. She listens to his stories on the battlefield; how he runs away from death, how he fights back enemies. Desdemona has gradually exaggerated Othello’s ability and deified his image. She says, “My heart's subdu'd Even to the very quality of my lord; I saw Othello's visage in his mind, And to his honors and his valiant parts. Did…

    • 919 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jealousy in Othello

    • 1048 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Jealousy in Othello twists its way throughout the story, interfering with all the relationships. Iago, the jealous villain, succeeds in infecting Othello, someone who is not easily jealous. This is shown when Iago tells Othello of false beliefs of Desdemona sleeping with Cassio. “Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio” said in act 2 scene 4. An important concern of the play is with the way love, jealousy and hatred can sometimes be so closely related, that an individual’s feelings can move from one to the other, whether their relationships are those of husband and wife or lady in waiting and mistress. Notice that it is the relationship which represents the most elevated form of love which is made…

    • 1048 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Desdemona's Jealousy

    • 574 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Jealousy is a major theme in Othello and it is what drives Othello to commit his heinous deed of killing Desdemona. Othello claims to be a man who "loved not wisely, but too well;of one not easily jealous..."(V.ii.347).…

    • 574 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Defending a Man's Honor

    • 1334 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Proud, noble, and brave warrior Othello is well respected and his military skills and adventures are widely known. He is charismatic, charming, self-reliant and well traveled. These personality traits made Desdemona fall in love with him, and by these, he measures his honorability. His measures his self-worth by the way he is perceived by others. That is the main reason why he perceives Desdemona's alleged infidelity as ruining his honor. It makes him look like a fool and he feels that he has been taken advantage of because he is unwise and unfamiliar with the devious sexual practices of Venice women.…

    • 1334 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Cyprus, Iago begins his devilish plan of destruction. During a festive evening celebrating the nuptials of Desdemona and Othello, Iago sends Roderigo to stir Cassio. A typically sober Cassio takes to the bottle at Iago's generosity, and then falls into duel with Roderigo. Because of the chaos, Cassio's reputation is seemingly smeared and his relationship becomes troubled with Othello. Iago tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to speak with Othello on his behalf. By doing so, Iago will plan the seed of jealousy in Othello's mind that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. Cassio befriends Desdemona, who does, in fact, attempt to sway Othello in his behalf. As she speaks with her beloved husband, however, Iago infers that her words are not platonic, but amorous. Othello slowly transforms into a jealous monster. Despite this meaningless talk, Othello demands proof and evidence of such an…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Othello’s love for Desdemona blinds him from what Iago is trying to tell him that Desdemona does behind Othello’s back. When Iago first mentions that Desdemona is cheating on Othello, Othello starts to question his love for her,“Excellent wrench! Perdition catch my soul But I do love thee! And when I love thee not, Chaos is come again” (3.3.98-100). As Iago manipulates Othello to believe that Desdemona is cheating on him, he starts to think of all the reasons he loves Desdemona. Othello makes the comment that without his love for Desdemona, he would go mad. Othello’s decisions in this play are made around his affection for Desdemona, and now that love has been questioned by Iago’s theory. As Othello thinks on Iago’s claims, he reminds himself of Desdemona’s many qualities, “I do but say she is. So delicate with her needle! An admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear” (4.1.187-189). This list of qualities are all reasons that Othello is in love with Desdemona, and because of Iago’s declaration, Othello is not sure how to respond. He is having a difficult time trying to compare the Desdemona he knows and loves to one that would cheat on him with a friend. Once Othello concedes to Iago’s points he decides that he must kill Desdemona for what she has done to him. This illustrates how far Othello is willing to go to prove to Desdemona that she is the only person…

    • 1738 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Naivety and ignorance is shown constantly by Othello when he foolishly accepts Iago’s ‘proofs’ of Desdemona’s infidelity without question. He is so enraged and jealous at the notion of his wife sleeping with someone else that he looses his sense of judgement and rationality. This could be considered a relatively natural reaction to such a situation, but it ultimately shows a weakness in the human psyche. Again Othello shows poor judgement by not confronting Desdemona about these claims and instead contents himself with Iago’s word. He convinces himself that he is acting in Desdemona’s best interests and wrongfully assumes her to be the “cunning whore of Venice”.…

    • 889 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics