Role Of Jealousy In Othello

The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves. This quote can be applied to William Shakespeare’s play Othello. Two of the characters, Othello the Moor of Venice and Iago an Ensign to Othello both suffer in jealousy. Jealousy in regards to Desdemona who is the Senator of Venice’s daughter and Othello’s wife. As well as a competitive jealousy between each other. However Iago does suffer with jealousy more than Othello. In regards to Desdemona, Iago is jealous that Othello is married to Desdemona. So he hints to Othello that Desdemona may be unfaithful. Iago tries to cause trouble by saying such. Then proceeds to warn Othello to not be jealous. Othello informs Iago that he is not one to be jealous, and that Desdemona loves
him. After making this statement Iago’s jealousy becomes more visible, and he tells Othello that he has proof of Desdemona’s infidelity. When Desdemona drops her handkerchief, her servant Emilia gives it to Iago. Iago then gives it to Michael Cassio, whom just so happens to be the man that Iago claims Desdemona is cheating on Othello with. Othello suffocates Desdemona because he had believed what Iago had told him, about her handkerchief being in Michael Cassio’s hands. In the aftermath of Desdemona’s tragic death, Emilia reveals to Othello the truth about the handkerchief. Was Desdemona’s infidelity against whom she loved true? Or did Iago’s jealousy come in between the fate of Othello and Desdemona?