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Envy And Hatred In Shakespeare's Othello

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Envy And Hatred In Shakespeare's Othello
Mariela Nivar
February 24, 2012
World History

Othello: Envy and Hatred

Envy and hatred are concepts that can dominate one’s views, life, actions, and words. Envy and hatred have existed and are experienced all throughout history in every culture and nation. These two are practiced by many despite of their cultural background, religious beliefs, or social class status. These concepts are reflected and shown very powerfully and lively in the famous Shakespearean story of “Othello”. The mechanics of envy and hatred can be portrait and analyzed in some of its characters like Iago and Othello.
The main plot of this novel is the desire of Iago to ruin the marriage of Othello and his beloved wife Desdemona. The actual motives of Iago for wanting to ruin the marriage are not totally assured. One reason that can be speculated for his feeling of hatred and envy towards Othello is the fact that he suspected that Emilia, his wife, committed adultery with Othello. This is expressed when Iago says “…I hate the moor, and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets has done my office. …show more content…
The envy and hatred he felt was one that could be related to that of a devil for being such evilness. Cassio, the weapon to come between Othello and Desdemona, became also a victim of Iago’s schemes while being so young and innocent. The mechanics which Iago used to show his envy and hatred toward Othello went farther than would be expected. Despite the fact that he saw that Othello grew furious and very jealous when he heard that Cassio and Desdemona were having an affair, and that he wanted to kill Cassio, it did not occur to Iago to take a step back and analyze what he was doing and how it can affect others including causing the death of innocent Cassio who trusted in him. Eventually, in turn, it ended up causing the tragic death of three innocent people including his wife Emilia, Othello and
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