The Destruction Of Jealousy In Othello By William Shakespeare

To learn a lesson is to gain insight on matters from mistakes or past experiences. Everyone can learn from others to avoid mistakes that can be stressful. In the play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, the main characters demonstrate actions that we all can learn from so we do not end up in uncomfortable positions. In the beginning, an evil plan is made out of jealousy in hopes to hurt others and their reputations. The gullible protagonist quickly believes the lies of others, betrays his friend and orders his death. The antagonist convinces a fool to chase after a married women knowing that money can be extorted. In the play, we can learn to control our jealousy unlike the awful Iago, not to betray our peers the way Othello betrays Cassio,
and lastly, we can learn not to be gullible like the trusting Roderigo. We can now gain insight from their mistakes and avoid hurtful situations.
A big lesson is to control your jealousy unlike Iago.
He had no self-control which led to his demise. Othello gives the well-deserved promotion to Cassio instead of Iago. Overcome with jealousy, Iago hates the fact that Othello overlooks his experience. He devises an evil plan that would allow him to watch Cassio suffer. After Othello decided Cassio as his lieutenant, Iago says to Roderigo on the street of Venice, “I know my price; I am worth no worse a place.”(1.1.11) bitterly because he believes that he was cheated out of the promotion since Cassio had better connections. Out of sheer hatred, Iago wants both Othello and Cassio to regret their actions. Othello, who falls prey to deceit, drowns in jealousy. Othello begins to allow Iago to talk poorly of Desdemona as his resentment grows toward her. He wants her to himself; no other man should have her attention. Now that he believes Desdemona is impure, his ego starts to wither. Witnessing Cassio beg Desdemona, he says to Iago, “Think’st thou I’ld make a life of jealousy, / to follow still the changes of the moon” (3.3.178-179) with his pride hurt he begins to doubt himself as a husband. He decides to take action and act on his twisted thoughts and now hates Cassio. Othello is now completely enveloped in jealousy. Iago and Othello both prove the cause and effect of jealousy and how it needs to be
controlled.
Iago with his uncontrollable jealousy betrays his friends when he acts on his negative emotions. Othello blindly puts all of his trust into Iago and is deceived many times doing so. Iago’s damaged self-worth drives him to betray Othello for personal entertainment. With his devilish plan set in motion, Iago cannot afford to stop at the risk of being caught. Overwhelmed with rage, Iago says to Roderigo, “I follow him to serve my turn upon him. / We cannot all be masters, nor all masters / cannot be truly follow’d.”(1.1.42-44) since Iago believes that betraying Othello is justified since Othello is not a proper master. His experience in the military allows him to manipulate the trust Othello gave him. Othello betrays Cassio after being fooled by Iago and now wants him dead. With his anger built up, Othello begins to despise his former lieutenant. His thoughts have fabricated his wife, Desdemona as an adulterer. He now wants Cassio dead within three days. After noticing Desdemona’s interest in Cassio’s rank, Othello says to Iago, “Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, / shall ne’er look back,” (3.3.457-458) proving that Othello is feeling hostile to Michael Cassio. He is now overcome with irrational thoughts to justify betraying Cassio. Othello’s thoughts created from deceit now govern his every action. Iago and Othello betray close friends which creates many new problems.
Othello was led to betray his allies by the inhumane Iago because of his ignorance.
If Othello had learned to not be gullible, this would help him see though Iago’s treachery. Othello eagerly accepts the advice from people he has wronged in the past. His trust is obliterated when he learns that Desdemona has been with Cassio, though a lie. Othello’s judgement is clouded with lies and he hurts his loved ones. Filled with hate, he says to Desdemona, “Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves / should fear to seize thee.” So he can show her that his hatred for her is beyond heaven. Othello lest the words Iago planted in his mind poison his love for her as he decides to sacrifice her to atone for her sins. The foolish Roderigo also accepts the empty promises of Iago and meets his fate. He was desperate for Desdemona but couldn’t seem to get her himself. Roderigo’s lust took control of his judgement when Iago made him promises of Desdemona and he followed him then agreed to help Iago in a planned murder which cost him his life. The moment Iago stabs him, Roderigo says, “O damn’d Iago! O inhuman dog!”(5.1.63) because he was in realization that he was exploited by Iago. Roderigo now lies on a street in Cyprus with his life fading because he was too
trusting. We are able to learn from the characters in Othello, written by William Shakespeare. Iago, Othello, and Roderigo made detrimental mistakes that cost them greatly. Iago and Othello could not control their jealousy. By learning from their mistakes we can learn to live a jealous free life. Both of them were later overcome with strong emotion and betray their friends. We can learn from this and respect the trust of others so we don’t get betrayed ourselves. Through Iago’s fabrications, Roderigo and Othello find themselves in troubling positions. Because of them, we can now avoid believing things that seem untrue. Throughout the play, we have seen the downfall of three characters. Perhaps if these characters had a different perspective and learned from their mistakes, they may not have been influential roles in a tragic love story.