...the true nature of jealousy. Jealousy is a cruel thing and Iago plants the evil seed of it into Othello. Shakespeare’s use of Irony in Othello helps to develop Iago’s character as well as show the true nature of jealousy. The Irony in Othello changes or view of Iago’s character and reveals to us how sinister this man is. In Act III scene iii Iago and Othello are having a conversation when Othello says “Think my lord! By heaven, he echoes me, as if there were some monster in his thought to hideous to be shown.” This is verbal irony and since Iago truly does have a “monster in his thought” a sense of villainy is further shown in Iago by letting Othello think him a good man. Later of in the dialogue Iago states that “Men should be what they seem;” which also is ironic because Iago himself isn’t the man he seems to be. The true nature of this conversation is beginning to be revealed and again Iago’s true vile nature is shown because he is misleading Othello and setting him up. The whole conversation Iago is saying how he should not speak badly against his friend and leading Othello on to want more which is human nature. In this situational irony a heightened sense of awareness to Iago’s character is gained because of the revelation to his plot. Iago’s key characteristics are revealed in this section of Othello. Jealousy is a dangerous thing and can drive men mad. Iago plants a seed in Othello’s head that makes him jealous. The nature of jealousy in Iago’s words are “it is the...
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...characters to fall into. Iago is using jealousy and anger as excuses to perpetrate evil. He is almost searching for reasons in order to be able to hurt Othello, be they genuine or not. Iago is manipulative and also very cunning however what led to his downfall is him underestimating others. He has a talent for understanding and manipulating the desires of those around him that makes him both a powerful and a compelling character. He is an evil character willing to drag innocent character into his revenge- Roderigo, Desdemona and Emilia. Iago is able to hurt Othello so much because he understands him so well...
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...A Drama Analysis of Williams Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ Othello: Insecurity and Jealousy Shakespeare’s, Othello, is witness that everyone, no matter their cast in society, can become vulnerable when they are brought to doubt their sense of self. As a person matures and reaches the level of adulthood, they take on many different types of responsibilities as a functioning part of society. Society characterizes its members based on how effectively they deal with their responsibilities, and furthermore an individual’s identity and sense of self is derive in part, from their ability to handle the triumphs, growth and difficulties associated with being an adult. The way a person conducts his or herself determines how they as well as others perceive them. Ultimately, when making decision throughout life a person looks at what they as an individual value, and therefore what they perceive themselves to be influences their decision-making. When one works to destroy the reputation of another they seek to tarnish the way others perceive said person. On the other hand, in Shakespeare’s tragedy we see Iago go a step further, instead of just working to ruin Othello’s reputation, he targets the foundation of Othello’s sense of self. First, Iago plays on Othello’s jealousy by causing him to suspect Desdemona of being unfaithful without presenting any legitimate evidence. This jealousy leads to anxiety from which Iago goes on to insinuate that the very foundations of his love for Desdemona...
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...played upon by Shakespeare’s most unforgiving, infamous villain; Iago. Accordingly, it is a combination of Iago’s efforts and cunning traps as well as Othello’s jealous, irrational nature that ultimately lead to Othello’s downfall. Othello’s blind trust and faith in Iago allows Iago to easily set moral traps designed to weaken Othello as a person. These manipulate his mind to the brink of insanity and in turn negatively overshadow Othello’s thought process, and given that Othello allowed this to happen, shows how Othello plays a part in his own downfall. Using Othello and the characters around him to his advantage, Iago manipulates Othello’s jealousy, insecurities, reckless behaviour and self-doubt to amplify the damage done by his own traps, thus proving that it is a combination of actions and decisions made by Othello and Iago, and the many characters around them that is ultimately responsible for Othello’s downfall. It is important to understand Iago’s character and his motives in order to understand his actions, likewise with so many Shakespearean characters. Iago is an arrogant, jealous character; “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place” acting out of pure spite and hatred for Othello; “I hate the Moor.” This line is juxtaposed to "My Lord you know I love you" which Iago repeats multiple times throughout the out course of the play virtually personifying Iago's treachery, evil, and malcontent. Iago is the epitome of evil, and is undoubtedly the most amoral, pernicious...
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...their weakest point. Jealously and fear of the unknown is one of Othello’s biggest weaknesses. This is seen throughout the novel as Iago tries to take advantage of these qualities and strip Othello of his ranking. Greed and selfishness are also demonstrated throughout the novel. This is seen in Iago’s hatred for Othello and other characters with a higher rank. Rage is an emotion that can change a man’s judgment. The emotions of jealousy, greed and rage changes the decisions of the characters and causes the characters to re-act and make a decision they would not otherwise have made. Jealousy is one of the major emotions that cause characters to act differently. One example of jealousy throughout the play, Othello, is Iago’s jealousy of Cassio. Iago allows his jealousy to cloud his judgment. Iago continuously tries to make Cassio look like a fool in hopes that Iago would take over Cassio’s position of a lieutenant. In fact, Iago speaks out and says that Cassio is a, “Counter-caster”(1.1.31) and possesses the job that he desires, well he is stuck being, “ His lords ancient”(1.1.33). Through this we can see how Iago is jealous of Cassio and his position as Othello’s lieutenant. Iago’s goes through great strides to make Cassio look like a fool, in hopes it would result in Cassio’s demotion. Iago does this numerous of ways, one example was when Iago got Cassio drunk at the ball. Another was when Iago tried twisting Othello’s mind to make him believe that Cassio slept with his wife...
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...Jealousy is an emotion so powerful it could destroy the love between a husband and a wife. Othello is a tragic hero whose jealousy caused his downfall. Although Othello is a foreigner, he became the general of the Venetian army due to his courage, intelligence and his leadership skills. His love for Desdemona caused him to be easily manipulated by Iago. Othello’s fatal flaw is his jealousy. In order for Othello’s downfall Iago must plant the seed of jealousy where there is none. The flame that ignited his downfall was Othello choosing Cassio as his lieutenant. He did not pick Iago, who is experienced in battle and been with him the longest. Iago’s hate toward Othello caused Iago to use Othello’s love for Desdemona against him. Iago wanted everybody to suffer just as much as he has suffered. Iago’s plan was to make it look like Desdemona was cheating on him. He used every one of his assets to help bring Othello’s downfall. He used Rodrigo to get Cassio fired. Then Cassio was tricked by Iago into asking Desdemona to help reinstate him as lieutenant. Now all he had to do was make Othello think every time Desdemona is with Cassio she is cheating on him. He first left clues to make Othello think something is not right. He says” O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” This made Othello even more curious about what Iago is trying to say. Eventually Othello started to believe Iago more, but, he was not quite convinced yet...
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...Shakespeare present jealousy in the poem 'the laboratory' and 'Othello' Jealousy is described as someone who is showing envy usually of someone because of their achievements or advantages, jealousy plays a major role in both Othello and the laboratory. throughout the both of them jealousy is used for destructive purposes only. as an audience we are led to feel that both jealousies are motivated not by hatred but by the passion for one another, crazy as that may seem. Shakespeare uses jealousy as a central theme throughout the play, without this aggressive and destructive emotion, there would be no solid plot. Shakespeare often refers to jealousy as a devouring emotion "Beware, my lord of jealousy! it is the green eyed monster which doth mock, the meat it feeds on" this fits extremely well with Iago's description of Othello being "beaten up with passion". This suggests exactly how strong Othello's monumental jealousy really is, once Othello becomes aware that his wife is unfaithful, Iago continues to feed his jealousy which causes Othello to indeed behave like a monster. however, its dramatic irony that Iago says this to Othello. the audience knows that Iago is perhaps the one "eaten up" with jealousy and Othello is none the wiser he holds; the form of personal and professional jealousy. The jealousy that is portrayed in 'Othello' is very similar to the one portrayed in Browning's poem The Laboratory, it explores the theme of relationship but through jealousy, the speaker...
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...characters: Othello, the Moorish general in the Venetian army; his wife, Desdemona; his lieutenant, Cassio and his ancient, Iago. In this play, by not showing Othello at the beginning of the first scene, Shakespeare creates an uncomfortable feeling to the story. Furthermore, he foreshadows the conflicts to come later in the plot. One of the conflicts is Iago becoming the archetypal evil villain who ruins Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. Iago manipulates Othello’s weakness his jealousy; Iago hates and does not respect women which is one of the main reason of his plan for revenge against Othello. Firstly, Iago knows how to observe people and uses human psychology to manipulate people’s minds. Iago manipulates Othello’s weaknesses which make Othello feels insecure. For example, after Cassio looks for help with Desdemona, Iago gets a golden chance to talk to Othello in private. Iago starts to plant the seed of jealousy in Othello concerning Desdemona and Cassio. Iago tells Othello to “beware …of jealousy” (III/III/l.195) which makes Othello nervous and start to suspect that Desdemona is cheating on him. Moreover, Iago warns Othello to “observe her well with Cassio.” (III/III/l.228) which causes Othello believes from the bottom of his heart that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him. Furthermore, he tricks Othello into believing that Desdemona is having a love affair with Cassio by putting Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s room, which makes his evil plan more powerful and reliable...
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...****Analyzing Jealousy In Othello English Literature Essay**** Shakespeare’s play of Othello is largely driven by a grand love story, and filled with jealousy. Through the juxtaposition of Othello’s credulous nature and Iago’s pernicious villainy, the image of jealousy is truly personified as an all-consuming “green-eyed monster”. Because of this venomous nature of the beast of jealousy, the events of the play manage to unfold in Iago’s lustful authority, which bring down the eponymous character to his tragic downfall. In human psychology today, the modern definition of jealousy remains relatively unchanged from Shakespeare’s time, albeit being expressed in more modern scientific terms. It is defined as “a complex of thoughts, feelings, and actions which follow threats to self-esteem and/or threats to the existence or quality of the relationship ... generated by the perception of a real or potential attraction between one's partner and a (perhaps imaginary) rival." (White, 1981, p. 24). In scenes of jealousy, there are typically a triad of people involved: a jealous and threatened individual, a partner of the opposite gender, and his/her third party rival. In the case of Othello, there are certainly three important people involved at the beginning: Iago being the jealous individual, Desdemona being the partner, and Othello being the third party rival. Iago definitely feels threatened by Othello’s dominance over him, both in his military rank and his relationship...
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...Jealousy is an emotion in which an individual envies a person, something materialistic, a relationship, or even achievements or accomplishments of someone else. Jealousy usually has a negative connotation; however, being jealous of someone or something can actually sometimes be good because it can push a person to work harder for what they want. Unfortunately, the acts of jealousy in Othello are not good and result in death. After examining jealousy in Othello, it is clear that jealousy ruins relationships and in some cases, jealousy is only satisfied by destroying others. Iago and Cassio are friends before all of the drama of being picked for lieutenant happens. Iago believes that he, himself, is a very good soldier and he should be chosen as Othello’s lieutenant. However, when Cassio gets chosen as Othello’s lieutenant, Iago becomes angry and jealous. Therefore, he wants to sabotage and destroy Cassio so that he can take his position. Iago is...
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...Thesis statement: The film, Othello, offers viewers an exceptional perspective that embodies the themes of jealousy and deceit, which are the two themes undoubtedly and effectively shown in the film. * I. Iago explains his tactics to Roderigo. Envy drives him to follow Othello not out of “love” or “duty,” but because he feels he can deceive his general. * 1. “Were I the Moor I would not be Iago. In following him I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so for my peculiar end.” (I.i.57–60) 2. Iago is continually playing a game of deception, even with Roderigo and the audience. II. Othello is poisoned by Iago’s herbaceous manipulation; therefore, Othello becomes blind to Desdemona’s loyalty. 1. Many of Iago’s references of deception concern poison. 2. “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear” (II.iii.330); “The Moor already changes with my poison. / Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons, / . . . / . . . Not poppy nor mandragora / Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world / Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep” (III.iii.329–336). Iago breeds his “conceits” so that they become fatal toxins and then plants their seeds in the minds of others. III. 1. Iago tells Othello to beware of jealousy, the “green-eyed monster which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on” (III.iii.170–171). 2. Likewise, Emilia describes jealousy as dangerously and uncannily self-generating, a “monster / Begot upon itself, born on itself” (III.iv...
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...In spite of the three literary texts dating back over four hundred years they all give the impression of jealousy being a dominating trait. Shakespeare’s play Othello from 1603 seems to convey how the heroic figure succumbs to fatal jealousy; arguably McEwan’s 1978 novel The Cement Garden appears to present different types of jealousy involving family and romance to imply how it can lead to immorality. However, Heller’s 2003 novel Notes on a Scandal portrays jealousy in a different light, as it seemingly insinuates how influential it can be in causing betrayal. Although all these texts are different they all present jealousy as a central theme throughout. In the opening scene, Act 1 Scene 1, of the drama Othello we are led to believe that...
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...position to the second position so quickly? How does Iago plant the idea of Desdemona’s infidelity in Othello’s mind, and how does he make it grow? In Act 3 Scene 3, the storyline races extremely quickly and so does Othello’s mind, all thanks to Iago’s manipulation and careful planning. First, in Act 2 Scene 1, Iago has orchestrated the brawl. He gets Cassio drunk and has Roderigo pick a fight with him. Iago gives a falsely sympathetic account of Cassio’s behavior “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offence to Michael Cassio”, and Othello is taken in by Iago’s cunning words and confirms that his “honesty” and “love” have made it “light to Cassio”.Othello then decided to fire Cassio, “Cassio, I love thee but never more be officer of mine.”, which is a stepping stone for Iago’s plans. Afterwards, Iago convinces Cassio to let Desdemona convince her husband to grant him his lieutenancy back again, “Our general’s wife is now the general…Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again. She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested.” However, in Iago’s soliloquy a few lines after, Iago’s intention becomes crystal clear, as he himself explains to the audience, “So will I turn her virtue into pitch And out of her own goodness make the net That shall enmesh them all.” Moving on to Act 3 Scene 3, Desdemona assures Cassio that...
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...marginalization of Cassio in Act 2 Michael Cassio, the loyal lieutenant for Othello suffers further marginalization by others in Venice. Cassio ends in the marginalized position due to his identity and his personality. Firstly, Cassio’s attractive appearance leads to his further marginalized status. Apparently, the author depicts Cassio as real charming man, as demonstrated by being good-looking man. He possesses all the qualities that make a man popular among women and make women appealed to him indeed. In order to provoke Othello’s jealousy toward Cassio, Iago uses Cassio’s good appearance and manners to aid in his plan, Iago says:“a knave very voluble; no further conscious able/ than in putting on the mere from of civil and humane seeming「…」is handsome, young, and hath all those/ requisites in him that folly and green minds look after”(Shakespeare 2-1 230-240). Therefore, Cassio’s attractive appearance makes him a likely target for Iago’s jealous plot. Secondly, Cassio’s vulnerable character makes become him marginalized. For instance, Iago entraps Cassio into a drunken fight when he offers Cassio wine while he is on duty. Cassio’s weakness spot is alcohol; he explains to Iago: “I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking”(Shakespeare 2- 3 26). However, Cassio does not insist on resisting the offer of drink, which is exactly what Iago wanted in order to achieve his plan. That is eventually results in Cassio’s discharge. Therefore, Cassio’s appearance and his personalities...
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...A Separate Peace is a novel by John Knowles that delves into the world of youth and tells a tragic tale of happiness, jealousy, family, and overall the progression of a friendship. I examined the theme of envy and how it drives the Knowles’ characters. Phineas and Gene are analyzed in greater detail so that we can get a better understanding of these characters and what motivates them. Finally I conducted a psychological examination of the characters and how others view them and how that affects the characters. Gene Forrester, a boy from the south who gets the chance to study at Devon an extremely prestigious academy. He doesn’t quite fit in at first until he meets his roommate Phineas or Finny for short. They become friends quite quickly and the reader sees that Gene is held back or suspicious of this overly friendly guy. This shows us the first glimpse into the character that is Gene and how he is not as open to new people. As the story progresses we learn that Gene switches from adoring Finny, to envying him and his ways of persuasion. In this quote Gene states how everybody loves Finny and how lucky he is to be his best friend. “Finny could shine with everyone, he attracted everyone he met. I was glad of that too. Naturally. He was my roommate and my best friend.” (32) Later on when the boys are invited to the Headmaster’s Tea Finny manages to weasel his way out of trouble with his charm and persuasion. “Phineas was going to get away with even this.” (20) Finny had...
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