Othello Essay
OTHELLO ESSAY
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on” (Shakespeare III. iii. 195-197). Everyone has the capacity for jealousy. It can change how people think as well as how they act. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, jealousy is nurtured within the minds of multiple characters, and this jealousy is what ignites the want to make multiple misconceptions arise in order to create havoc and inflict suffering upon others and in some cases, upon themselves. To start off, Iago illustrates how jealousy can cause one to want to inflict pain upon others. Secondly, Roderigo shows how jealousy can make one become easily persuaded into doing wrong things. Lastly, Othello is a fine example of how jealousy can cloud somebody’s mind and cause them to see things as something else and inflict suffering on themselves and on others.
First off, Iago shows how envy and jealousy can make one want to inflict pain and suffering on others. “That never set a squadron in the field, / Nor the division of a battle knows / More than a spinster – unless the bookish theory, / Wherein he {toged} consuls can propose / As masterly as he” (I. i. 23 – 27). Iago displays bitterness at the fact that Cassio became lieutenant instead of him, indicating his jealousy and envy towards him. This envy and jealousy causes Iago to become very manipulative and makes him hostile towards Cassio. “Let me go sir, or I’ll knock you o’er the / mazard” (II. iii. 161 – 162). As shown, Cassio becomes hostile, threatening Montano, all because of Iago’s puppeteering. Iago’s jealousy towards Cassio caused him to engineer the plan which made Cassio lose his position as lieutenant by attacking Montano. Moreover, this shows how envious Cassio was and what measures he went to just to ensure he attained what he wanted. “My friend is dead. / ‘Tis done at your request” (III.iii 539 – 540). Iago quickly agreed to kill Cassio when asked to do so by
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on” (Shakespeare III. iii. 195-197). Everyone has the capacity for jealousy. It can change how people think as well as how they act. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, jealousy is nurtured within the minds of multiple characters, and this jealousy is what ignites the want to make multiple misconceptions arise in order to create havoc and inflict suffering upon others and in some cases, upon themselves. To start off, Iago illustrates how jealousy can cause one to want to inflict pain upon others. Secondly, Roderigo shows how jealousy can make one become easily persuaded into doing wrong things. Lastly, Othello is a fine example of how jealousy can cloud somebody’s mind and cause them to see things as something else and inflict suffering on themselves and on others.
First off, Iago shows how envy and jealousy can make one want to inflict pain and suffering on others. “That never set a squadron in the field, / Nor the division of a battle knows / More than a spinster – unless the bookish theory, / Wherein he {toged} consuls can propose / As masterly as he” (I. i. 23 – 27). Iago displays bitterness at the fact that Cassio became lieutenant instead of him, indicating his jealousy and envy towards him. This envy and jealousy causes Iago to become very manipulative and makes him hostile towards Cassio. “Let me go sir, or I’ll knock you o’er the / mazard” (II. iii. 161 – 162). As shown, Cassio becomes hostile, threatening Montano, all because of Iago’s puppeteering. Iago’s jealousy towards Cassio caused him to engineer the plan which made Cassio lose his position as lieutenant by attacking Montano. Moreover, this shows how envious Cassio was and what measures he went to just to ensure he attained what he wanted. “My friend is dead. / ‘Tis done at your request” (III.iii 539 – 540). Iago quickly agreed to kill Cassio when asked to do so by
Cited: Skakespeare, William. Othello. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat. New York: Washington Square Press, 1993. Print