Direct Impact Of Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

In Shakespeare's Othello, He demonstrates the direct impact of Jealousy, and how it can change the tone of character. Although, most interactions in the beginning are under the influence of no jealousy, Othello was once strong minded, respectful and very careful with how he spoke, able to hold his composure when unjustly accused of a crime he has not commit. As Othello was falsely accused of kidnapping Desdemona he was brought upon the Duke and Desdemona’s father “Brabantio” his response was very calm and straightforward, “my most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, My very noble and approved good masters, that I have taken away this old man’s daughter. It is most true, true that I have married her. The very head and front of my offending
hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech and little blessed with the soft phrase of peace.” (Act 1, Sc. 3) This quote is the proof of Othello before any sort of jealousy set in. He is a very calm, collected, and strong willed person without very much concern after all knowing that he is not in the wrong. Afterall Othello has given his side of the story upon what was actually happening and sent for Desdemona to sent to the court Immediately before giving his final testimony, “Send for the lady to the sagittary and let her speak of me before her father. If [he] finds me foul in her report, not only take away, but let your sentence even fall upon my life.” (Act 1, Sc. 3) It is clear just how confident and chilled out Othello was, he is also very rational and gathered at the moment before he sent for his wife Desdemona and at this moment is not affected by any sort of jealousy.

Although Othello was once a calm, strong minded individual Jealousy has begun to take over his very outlook on life and his relationship with his wife Desdemona, Othello’s calm nature and non envying life has now become the opposite.
Othello’s first sign of Jealousy was when Othello and Iago were discussing the issue of Desdemona’s false betrayal toward Othello and how he felt about it, “ And O’you mortal engines, whose rude throats th’ Immortal Jove’s dread clamors counterfeit, Farewell! Othello’s Occupation’s gone!” (Act 1, Sc. 3) It is apparent through Othello’s thickened tone and aggressive attitude that jealousy is creating this huge change in his life. Othello’s jealousy was from a slate of falsity, he doesn’t even need the truth to bring justice toward his jealousy. This means that even if someone thinks something is actually happening even though it isn’t they don’t know what to think and if any evidence leads to a conclusion that person may think the worst. Next, Othello and Desdemona are arguing about what Desdemona’s true intention was with Cassio, Desdemona was trying to convince Othello that any justification made toward her at the moment were false but in the end it didn’t work out very well for her as Othello strangled her to death “ Down, Trumpet!” “Kill me tomorrow, let me live tonight” “nay if [she] strive” “But half an hour” “But while I say one prayer” “it is too late” Othello is so fixated on his own jealousy he cannot begin to think of showing any
mercy towards Desdemona. This proves just how much Jealousy has changed Othello as he was once a very merciful, caring, and professional leader reduced to strangling his own wife. In Othello it shows how much a person’s emotional state can change just by being jealous, going as far as killing and deceiving others just to get what one wants which is pure jealousy, so if someone shows signs of being jealous just be careful.