The Role of Jealousy in Othello

In Shakespeare's Othello, we see characters engulfed in jealousy from the very beginning to the end of the play. There are various examples of jealousy, such as Iago's jealousy of Cassio, Roderigo's jealousy of Othello, and Othello's jealousy of Cassio. It is jealousy that leads to each character's downfall. Jealousy can cause a person to completely change and become a different person and it allows others to use that person's insecurities against them, as shown in the play. Shakespeare personifies jealousy by referring to it as "the green-eyed monster." Shakespeare depicts jealousy as a monster that's trying to feed off of everyone and cause them nothing but misery. In the end, it is not the jealous characters who win, but the "green-eyed monster." Shakespeare, however, believes that love can conquer jealousy, despite the strength of jealousy.

In Iago's case, it is Cassio's position that makes Iago envy Cassio. It is from this deeply-embedded thirst for power and a higher position that Iago is driven to develop this highly thought out plan to manipulate Roderigo, get promoted to lieutenant, and also get revenge on Othello. His jealousy eggs him on to commit these deeds. Jealousy is an incredibly strong emotion that is able to take over a person and transform him/her. Iago's jealousy transforms him from a person of questionable morals to a full-blown villain. We see that over time, his plan becomes more elaborate and includes more people.

Shakespeare depicts the idea that even though jealousy is such a strong emotion, love is able to conquer it. It is Emilia's love for Desdemona that convinces Emilia to go against her husband and tell Othello that it was Iago who told her to steal the handkerchief and that Desdemona was always faithful to Othello. Ironically, Iago tells Othello to be careful not to be jealous because it feeds on people and destroys them and it is jealousy that leads to his own demise when he says, "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy/ It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on" (3.3.195-197) Jealousy leads Iago down the wrong path and Desdemona serves as a contrast. She never succumbs to jealousy and her faithfulness lives on, while Iago loses everything: his reputation and his position.

Othello, too, is entirely transformed by jealousy. Desdemona believes that Othello "Is true of mind and made of no such baseness / As jealous creatures are" (3.2.26-29). She thinks that Othello isn't capable of being jealous and that it is not in his nature. Yet, when Iago provides him with "evidence" such as the handkerchief, he becomes jealous. Iago uses Othello's insecurities against him. He uses Othello's race to explain why Desdemona would be unfaithful to him. Othello is transformed from a collected, respected general to an insecure, jealous husband who is easily manipulated