Jealousy is not inherited in a person, but developed from
the fatal factors of their character. In Shakespeare’s Othello,
the destruction of the fleet clears away all other tension,
leaving only mannerisms to be a cause of conflict. There is a
common archetype that Othello, Iago, and Roderigo follow:
jealousy is produced by a character held in high respect that
seems to prefer another.
Othello is plagued with his ego and pride, diseases that
contribute to his demise. Believing he is immortal, Othello
scoffs, “My parts, my title, and my perfect soul/Shall manifest
me rightly” (I,ii,31-32).
Othello is devastated and crumbles when
he is cut down by Iago. Nothing could be worse than “To lip a
wanton in a secure couch/And to suppose her chaste!” (IV,i,72-73)
The general is brought down to a level of mortality that he
refuses to accept; a man of lower rank has “conquered” his wife.
Iago’s jealousy is also attributed to Cassio. The Florentine
seems to surpass him in every way: looks, virtue, charm, and “all
those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after”
(II,i,247-248).
But Iago’s love of his reputation and ego leads
him to believe that he is more deserving because of his
intelligence and experience. Paralleling Macbeth, Iago’s self-
The Essay on Othello Iagos Causes And Effects Of Jealousy
Othello is a play about jealousys causes and effects. Each character in the play had different reasons to be jealous and each of them chose to deal with it a certain way. All three characters Iago, Othello, and Roderigo had such cases and in the end dealt with different conflicts and outcomes. Its important to understand that their actions in dealing with their jealousies were a reflection of ...
serving interests lead him to ambition. In both cases, Othello
and Iago feel a sense of possession, a fear of neglect, and a
need to be held in high respect.
Putting Othello’s and Roderigo’s trust into Iago’s hands
allows them to be entangled in Iago’s web of deception. Believing
any of “honest” Iago’s lies shows a plethora of faults:
gullibility, desperation, even impatience. Iago is such a master
of guile, he is able to even fool himself. He believes virtue is
a mere “fig,” and that reason should guide. A complete
contradiction of himself, Iago is the initial character that lets
his passion overrun his good judgement (I,iii,322).
All the
characters that suffer from jealousy are driven to make hasty,
harsh decisions which eventually lead to unfortunate
consequences, following the pattern of the Shakespearean tragedy.
No one thinks before acting, and even when Othello asks for a
second opinion from Emilia, he shuns her as a “simple bawd”
(IV,ii,22).
Quick assumptions dictate most of the story and most
of the deaths.
Character flaws may start out as little weaknesses,
sometimes even positives. But gradually, as the plot unravels,
they are magnified and nurtured by Iago. The essential nature of
man is that no one is perfect, due to original sin. For the vile,
abominable Iago, his job is made easier, and he almost mocks
himself. Most of his friendly advice consists of self-
confessions, but his victims are either too proud, too credulous,
or so blinded by passion that they don’t notice.
