This essay is about William Shakespeare's Othello. It focuses on Iago's words to Othello, "O, beware, my lord, of Jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster." in act 3, scene 3 and just how important this warning was not only for
Othello, but also for Roderigo and for Iago. Before considering the importance of Iago's words, it is important to define what jealousy means. According to The New Lexicon Webster's Encylopedic
Dictionary of the English Language, "jealousy is a state of fear, suspicion, revenge or envy caused by a real or imagined threat or challenge to one's possessive instincts. It may be provoked by rivalry, in sexual love, by competition or by desires for the qualities or possessions of another." Roderigo is foolish and even at times unusually feeble-minded. This explained partially by Roderigo's jealousy: he is infatuated with Desdemona and has been for some time. He is willing to do anything to win her love. He is jealous that Desdemona loves Othello and not him. In accordance with the definition of jealousy, Roderigo desires the possessions of another. It is this jealousy which moves him to do many evil things in the play. He pays Iago large amounts of money to conjure up a scheme to acquire Desdemona. He gives in to
Iago at the beginning of the play. In effect he has become the villain
's
disciple. By doing this, he himself has adopted the green-eyed monster image.
In act two, he is prompted by Iago to cause a commotion and begin a fight with
Cassio. Later in act four, scene two, Roderigo is convinced by Iago to kill
Cassio. In act five, scene one, Roderigo attempts to kill Cassio but only manages to wound him. At the same time Cassio wounds Roderigo. Iago (who was watching this fight) leaves only to re-enter later and kill Roderigo.
Roderigo's jealousy brought upon his downfall. Most people do not think of jealousy as Iago's downfall, but in essence, jealousy has many negative