Jealousy Theme in "Othello" by William Shakespeare

“O, beware, my lord of jealousy! (3.3.170). William Shakespeare was the third child of John and Mary Shakespeare (Shumaker). There is no evidence that Shakespeare’s parents could write, but it is assumed from the age of five to seven he went to school where he learned to read (Shumaker). At a young age like others this is when Shakespeare started to gain his talented ways.

Shakespeare was an extremely talented person. He is known back then and today for his talented ways. Shakespeare is known for his works of literature which include poems, plays, and sonnets. Even though Shakespeare has been gone since centuries ago his writings still touch and teach many today. Along his journey he has gone to different places where he has learned many things about his literature and met some people along the way. Shakespeare was very successful and has impacted many people from all through his journey for all of his works to still be touched until this very day.

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In summary of the play of Othello, Iago who is a manipulative villain is extremely angry about being overlooked for promotion. Iago then plots to get revenge on his general Othello, the Moor of Venice. Iago is very skillful and takes control of Othello into believing his wife Desdemona is not faithful to him. This creates Othello’s jealousy. Othello allows jealousy to swallow him which he then ends up murdering Desdemona and leads to his death of him killing himself at the end. The character of Iago is used to develop the theme of jealousy, envy, and deception in Othello.

Envious Iago has numberless reasons for the jealousy and hate towards Othello. The theme of deception is noticeable in the entire play through Iago’s actions towards many around him. Iago’s personality traits deception and his overlooked actions lead him to fooling others for his jealousy towards Othello. Iago is a person who manipulates and fools’ others to achieve what he wants. Iago’s strong jealousy causes him to behave the way that he does. Iago is jealous of Othello because of his senseless hate for him. “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.90-91). As Iago speaks to Brabantio, he shows his hate right off the bat by disrespecting Othello and referring to him as a black ram. Iago shows these traits very out and about because he wishes he could live Othello’s life. Another quote showing Iago’s hatred is “Despise me” (1.1.8). Even though this quote is short, it is important because it is describing Iago’s conversation with Roderigo explaining his reasons of resentment towards Othello. Also, Othello has a lot of power and Iago really wants that.

Iago’s exceeding jealousy of Othello’s power and with Cassio’s promotion lead him to plot a plan of revenge which controls the whole play. “Iago claims to Roderigo that his hatred of Othello is based on the general having unfairly promoted Cassio to lieutenant when Iago was the one who merited the post, since he had seniority” (Shumaker). Iago is not happy and thinks Cassio is picked because of his good looks, education, and connections. He also thinks he is to young. Iago wants to wreck Othello’s life and makes the whole big plan that Othello’s wife Desdemona had an affair with Cassio. Iago wants revenge, to get Cassio’s position, and to make Othello jealous of his beautiful wife. Iago is creating jealousy and suspicion. Jealousy is described as the “green eyed monster” (3.3.171). Just like a monster is, it shows how destructive jealousy can be. Iago was hit first with this monster and actually warns Othello in ways, but Othello believes Iago is his true friend and does not realize.

Othello is a very sharp and bright man but gains selective hearing. Othello only hears of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. Jealousy has led the downfall of not only Othello, but Iago too. Iago was always very jealous of Othello and Iago’s life orbited around manipulation. Once Iago became lieutenant he once again wanted more. He killed Emilia and Roderigo and of course then ended up arrested. Othello was extremely jealous of Cassio because all he could believe was Desdemona having an affair. “Iago\'s apparently unpremeditated murder of Emilia occurs in his full knowledge of Emilia\'s virtue and of what he is doing. Hence, it contrasts with Othello\'s passionate, mistaken, if premeditated, murder of Desdemona, which at first glance seems to be Iago\'s model” (Shumaker).

As seen here Othello and Iago are alike even though different. The reason Othello is the way he is, is because of Iago. Iago is spiteful beyond what is usually met in life. Much manhood because Iago has so much power over Othello causing Othello to not actually see what is happening. Othello and Iago are to vigorous and powerful to actually admit both of their true feelings of jealousy. They both have devious plans which is brought to both of their downfalls. If Othello did not have selective hearing he could have went and talked to Desdemona and listened what she would’ve had to say. Othello would’ve found out and came to reality that she was innocent. This not only would’ve saved their lives, but both of them as people in reality to go stronger forward. Othello just ignored everything. He ignored her innocence and only could see her “unfaithfulness” in their own bed. Othello’s judgement towards everything was so controlled by jealousy that he made unreasonable mistakes. Othello said, “Then must you speak of one who loved not wisely, but too well: Of one not easily jealous but being wrought, perplexed in the extreme” (6.2.403-406).

The character of Iago is used to develop the theme of jealousy in Othello. Iago is very jealous because he does not have the power he wants and causes jealousy amongst others along with plotting plans and all ending in harmfully bad situations with everyone. When most read Othello it is very hard to understand. The meaning behind Othello still continues in this time and day today and every day. Othello connects with modern day relationships because just like Othello with Desdemona there is still abusive relationships today. Another main connection made is through both the play and everyday life, incapable ability to address the realities of insecurity and doubt. Manipulation is another shown. Iago used his skills to manipulate people, so he could eventually achieve the rank of his rival Cassio. This is connected to this day because people still use manipulation whether they know it or not to achieve in life by lying. This is to true because everyone has told at least one white lie to get through a difficult situation.

The biggest shown to take away from this is jealousy. This modern connection is so big because almost every character experience the feeling of jealousy. Iago was jealous of Cassio because he was chosen by Othello as the new lieutenant. This situation is connected to modern day because so many people still today experience jealousy when someone else is chose over them or promoted to do a task. In everyone’s eyes jealousy is seen a huge amount on the daily basis. Every theme in this play relates to modern day in some way we all understand and have experienced. This play should keep being read at schools because it teaches and shows us real modern-day issues that are happening and should be avoided to avoid horrible outcomes at the end of the day.