Essay on Jealousy in Shakespeares Othello - 649 Words

Jealousy in Othello The tragedy of Othello is the story of jealousy. It is Othellos public insecurity that makes him jealous of Cassio and allows him to believe that Cassio has slept with Desdemona. Also, it is Iagos jealousy of Othello that drives him to destroy both Othello and Desdemona. What is fascinating about Shakespeares Othello is the way in which jealousy between the major characters is sexualized. Perhaps what makes Othello so disturbing is how quickly this sexualized jealousy turns into hate. For Othello and Iago love becomes hate, and hate becomes love and the distinction between these two feelings is constantly being blurred. The character of Othello is pulled toward what he terms Cassios courtly and†¦show more content†¦Cassio both has violated Desdemonas purity and violated the bond between Othello and Cassio. The bond between Othello and Cassio is symbolized by the way in which Othello makes Cassio his second wife after Desdemona. Cassio and Desdemona serve the same role in Othellos life. Othello loves both because he believes both posses what he lacks: culture, and aristocratic blood. And both Desdemona and Cassio bring the respectability that Othello so desperately seeks out. It is important to note that both Cassio and Desdemona provide no emotional support to Othello. This is because Othellos idolization of both Desdemona and Cassio prevent him from confiding in them. Othello in the end though comes to turn his love and admiration of Cassio into hatred in the same way he turns his feelings toward Desdemona into murderous hatred. Iagos feelings toward Othello possess the same erotic jealousy that Othello feels for Cassio. But Iago from the outset of the play turns his desire for Othello into a burning hatred that destroys both Othello and those that love him. Iagos feelings toward Othello contain an erotic component as can be seen in scene 3.3 when Iago convinces Othello of Desdemonas unfaithfulness and Othello vows revenge. In this scene Iago kneels before Othello and the two enact a symbolic marriage as Othello symbolically breaks his vows with Desdemona and Iago formsShow MoreRelated Jealousy in William Shakespeares Othello Essay1466 Words   |  6 Pages Shakespeare has an exceptional ability to compose plays full of deceit, trickery, murderous revenge, and jealousy. In Othello, one of his most recognized tragedies was consistently evolving around the central theme of jealousy. Jealousy in Othello is what the play was founded on. One of Shakespeares most credible characteristics in his writing is his ability to compose a play in which has a story that originates, and strides on lies. 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