Preview

Jealousy In Othello's Death

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
398 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Jealousy In Othello's Death
On a night of great tragedy in the late 1600’s. General Othello was slain by himself; after he strangled his wife to death. Gratiano had said that Iago was guilty of manipulating many people including Othello which all lead up to the murders of Emilia (Iago's wife), Desdemona (Othello’s wife) and Othello’s suicide. Iago also had a part in the death of Roderigo, a person who had got into the mix by simply being in love. Before Othello’s death, he had spoken about how he does not want people to think that it was all in spite of jealousy. “Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak of one that loved not wisely but too well-” (words reported by Lodovico) Othello did not want to be remembered as one …show more content…
Bartholomew Wittler, interviewed Cassio three nights after the murders occurred. “If I can promise you anything, I promise you this all that was said about Desdemona and I is false. She died because a man made the foolish choice to choose the words of a villain over the pure and innocent Desdemona” says Cassio. All of Othello’s fortune including his job went to Cassio the night of Othello’s death.
Iago’s punishment has not yet been declared to the public, “Othello had the chance to kill him” says Lodovico “i wish he would have, but i blame both parties. Why does man have to run on such foolish fuels? Jealousy, lust, love and anger. Othello was an angry man, that let Jealousy destroy him. All I want is for justice to be served to the lives lost in the night's tragedy.”
The public has flouted many rumors. Some might say, Iago did it because he wanted Cassio’s job; other people say it was because of raving jealousy from the rumors of his wife Emilia and Othello having an affair. But no one will know until Iago tells the truth. But will he speak the truth? And if so will anyone believe him. What should the government and army officials do with a madman shall he be institutionalized, imprisoned, or

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Who Is Roderigo In Act 1

    • 1835 Words
    • 8 Pages

    She promises to restore Othello and Cassius to good terms. Othello and Iago enter and Desdemona tells Cassio to stay and hear her speak. Cassio however refuses and leaves. Iago and Othello see Cassio leave and Iago plants seeds of doubts by describing Cassio’s departure as suspicious. Desdemona pleads with Othello to forgive Cassio and call him back.…

    • 1835 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why did Othello decide to kill Desdemona? In the play, Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello, the noble Moor, is married to Desdemona, a daughter of Brabantio. Iago, an antagonist, didn’t have the promotion as a lieutenant, which made him hate Cassio, the Lieutenant, and Othello. He plots his plan to take down Cassio and Othello. Throughout the play, Othello is manipulated by Iago and decides to kill Desdemona for cheating on him with Cassio. After Othello killed Desdemona, Iago’s plan gets exposed, and Othello commits suicide. Othello is most responsible for Desdemona’s death because he falls for Iago’s lies instead of believing Desdemona, never confronts Cassio about the situation, and is the one who actually killed Desdemona.…

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Othello, Iago is able to convince Roderigo that Cassio will ruin their plans to have Desdemona, causing Cassio to be the first victim of murder. Iago prompts the second death by persuading Othello that his wife is a cheater. Iago has Desdemona's handkerchief copied by a prostitute named Bianca. Desdemona tells Othello that she hasn't cheated on him, but Othello doesn't believe her. Already going mad, He recalls the evidence of the handkerchief, and chokes Desdemona to death.…

    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In 1603, William Shakespeare wrote a tragedy called Othello about a Spanish moor that ultimately fell victim to his own skepticism and emotions and murders his wife due to the machinations of his ancient, Iago. Iago is the most interesting character in this Shakespearean play and in fact, has more speaking parts than even Othello himself. A man that can even convince his own wife to help with his masterfully manipulated puppetry of Othello, Desdemona, Roderigo, Cassio, and Emilia is an exquisite character. This villain seemed to have no real motive for his actions, but the enjoyment of the trouble he caused and the fact that Othello passed him over for his lieutenant. Although, Iago seems to quite, passionately want Othello’s affections, whether…

    • 1559 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Othello is easily persuaded and this leads him to put his trust in the wrong people. He unfortunately gets ensnared into Iago’s devious plan. Othello treats Iago as a trust-worthy friend who he has known for a long period of time. When Iago realizes that Othello believes the story about Cassio’s relationship with Desdemona, Iago decides to take the scheme further. Iago places horrid images in Othello’s mind that turn Othello into a rash man. Othello’s tragic flaw ultimately leads to his destruction. Othello’s personality vastly transforms due to the madness. Othello ironically mistrusts his loyal wife Desdemona and good friend Cassio. When Othello places Desdemona on her deathbed, he states, “Be thus when thou are dead, and I will kill thee/And love thee after” (V.ii.20-21). At this moment in the play, Othello’s actions are ironic. Originally, Othello worried that Desdemona would stab him in the back, but he is the one who betrays his beloved wife. Othello is brought to this action because Iago places extreme jealousy within…

    • 1585 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Othello is a much respected Shakespearean play for a host of reasons not least because by setting it in a different country he was able to tackle stereotypes which may have offended English audiences of his day. His portrayal of Othello sensationalised black people, making them just as capable as whites of a wide range of characteristics, emotions, flaws and frailties. This was alien to audiences of the time who believed that black people were one dimensional, either good or bad. However, jealousy is arguably the most powerful theme being interweaved throughout the play and crucial in understanding the demise of the noble and respected Othello as well as his relationship with Desdemona and Iago. Jealousy is a state of fear, suspicion, revenge or envy called by a real or imagined threat or challenge; displaying that Othello becomes this character from Iago the manipulative Machiavellian.…

    • 1438 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Othello, jealousy takes hold in distinct stages, consuming an ounce of a characters soul in each. That which was initially held innocent had the tendency towards terrible things as it twisted characters’ minds towards corruption throughout the duration of the play. While it may not hold physical form, envy has the power to control beings from the inside in a way that few things truly can. Jealousy has been adapted in many cultures, but not one has developed the panacea for…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In “Othello” a character whose actions may be considered evil and immoral is Iago. In the play, he is on a drive to take everyone down. He tries to seek revenge on everyone because he feels he didn’t get the position he so desperately deserved. Iago was supposed to be high in rank with Othello for a lieutenant job, but Cassio, another friend of Othello, received it. This made Iago inwardly envious of both of the men so he created a massive disarray to break up their relationship and their relationships with others.…

    • 202 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Jealousy can lead to people doing destructive things, like killing one another. Its marks on Othello make him so crazy that he resorts to killing his wife, and then killing himself. “Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone (IV.1.178-180).” Othello has just seen his “proof” that Desdemona is unfaithful. He is too rash and starts making threats that cannot be undone, like killing his wife. His character is so quick to judge that he doesn’t even think about Desdemona’s character and how she would behave. He does not look deeper into the matter. Othello says this metaphor “my heart is turned to stone” expressing how quickly his character changed and how jealousy brings a toll to his life. In the next speech Othello reflects on his actions and tells Lodovico and Gratiano what he wants to be remembered by. “Then must you speak/Of one that loved not wisely, but too well./Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought,/Perplexed in the extreme. Of one whose hand,/Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away/Richer than all his tribe (5.2.343-348)”. He admits that he was irrational and that his emotions were too strong. “loved not wisely, but too well”, he got carried away too quickly by being in love, and was not fully thinking properly. Once tricked into jealousy, he went berserk and threw away everything good in his life. Using the simile “Like the base Indian” him being a silly “savage” who wasn’t smart and “threw a pearl away” referring to killing Desdemona: a white, fair and rare woman. Reflecting on his actions with this simile and his new knowledge and realization of himself, he then kills himself. When one is tricked by jealousy, their actions are greatly altered leading them to kill loved ones and finally, leading to the self-destruction. Jealousy is a murderer that becomes a virus, killing everyone it…

    • 1473 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello Essay

    • 1064 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Iago wanted Cassio to drink more wine because he wanted Cassio to be drunk and argumentative when later that night. Iago told Montano, the mayor of Cyprus, that Cassio was drunk every night casting doubt on Othello's judgment for appointing Cassio, by implying that Cassio may be drunk during battle. This led to Othello to believe that Cassio is irresponsible and dishonorable, and as a result stripped Cassio of his position. Later on, when Othello is convinced that Desdemona is having an affair, he acts irrationally and violently towards Desdemona in front of Lodovico, a Venetian noble, who questions if the person he just saw is the honorable and respectful Othello he has come to know.…

    • 1064 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello Good Vs Evil

    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Upon revealing his suspicions of Cassio and Desdemona to Othello, Iago warns Othello that he should “beware … of jealousy/ It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on” (3.3 167-69). Despite Iago’s warning, Othello falls victim to the green-eyed monster and his actions demonstrate that. When Othello is convinced that Desdemona has slept with Cassio, he wishes to hear from Iago that “Within these three days… Cassio’s not alive” (3.3 472-73). Othello’s action here is driven completely by jealousy because rather than killing Cassio and delivering justice with his own hands, he sends Iago to kill him. Othello’s plot to kill Cassio is done for revenge, not for the sake of doing good and upon being informed that the attempt to kill Cassio failed, he states “murder’s out of tune/ And sweet revenge grows harsh” (5.2 116-17). Othello expresses dissatisfaction upon hearing that Cassio lives not because justice has yet to prevail, but because he has not gotten revenge. Othello being ruled over by his envy is also seen when he kills Desdemona. He attempts to justify his reason for murder because “she’ll betray more men” (5.2 6) and is also fully aware of what he’s about to do but after killing her, he begins to regret what he’s done. By murdering his beloved wife, Othello can no longer claim that his actions were done for the sake of good, nor can he deny that he’s been…

    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago continues… I know what I did was wrong your Nobleness, however I did it for the greater good. I did what I did to protect us. Othello wasn’t the type of guy we all thought he was. He killed his only love because he thought she was cheating on him. I know this, I saw it with my own eyes. Plus how dare a black marry a white that is just like saying a hog marrying a beautiful white dove. I didn’t mean to kill off the rest, most of their deaths were caused by themselves. Under his breath Iago says (With a little help of me). I my lord came up with this brilliant plan to get rid of Othello and to protect Venice from his wrath,…

    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Honor In Othello

    • 2761 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Othello could never return to the bestial state because he never loses his sense of honor. His murder of Desdemona is an act of misguided justice. Yet Iago’s part in the murder is more fitting of a beast. Othello murders with a reason; Iago murders without a reason. Initially, Iago is seemingly a man who wants revenge for being passed over for the position as Othello’s lieutenant. He cannot understand why Cassio "That never set a squadron in the field, / Nor the division of a battle knows" (1.1.22-23) was chosen over him "of whom his eyes had seen the proof / At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds" (1.1.27-28). He tells Roderigo that he is only following Othello "to serve my turn upon him" (1.1.42). This scene leads to the belief that Iago wants revenge on Othello for making Cassio his lieutenant and him only the ancient. Yet as the play progresses, his motives become less clear. Throughout the subsequent acts, Iago behaves increasingly more like a beast. He says that “I do suspect the lusty Moor / Hath leap 'd into my seat: the thought whereof / Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; / And nothing can or shall content my soul / Till I am even 'd with him, wife for wife.” Iago’s bestiality is evident, as the only outcome that will satisfy Iago is the immoral “wife for wife”, which resembles the barbaric law of retaliation known as “eye for an eye”. He loses his ability (if he ever had it) to think and act justly. He becomes obsessed with destroying Othello’s life. He says, "I do hate him as I do hell pains" (1.1.155). Yet, unlike most humans, Iago has no reason for his hate. His hatred of Othello is beast-like, stemming not from rational thought but from animal…

    • 2761 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Truth In Othello

    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages

    During Iago’s pursuit of Othello’s downfall, he said he resembled “when Devils will the blackest sins put on / They do suggest at first with heavenly shows” ( Shakespeare 115). In Order to gain Othello’s trust Iago appeared to be the only one with Othello’s best interests in mind and everyone else was deceiving him, when in reality Iago was the only one who poured lies out of his mouth. Unsophisticated critics deem Iago a vindictive villain with no morals. A sophisticated critic understands Iago’s tactics to rise above the position he is stuck in, but realize his deceptive tactics can only attain him so much before everything falls through.…

    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jealousy and Othello

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages

    “Othello” is the most famous literary work by Shakespeare that focuses on the dangers of jealousy. The tragedy "Othello is a story based upon the revenge of two characters, Shakespeare’s Othello is a play with unique characters. One such character is the one for which Shakespeare names his play. Using, Othello as the main character discussed he poses some strengths and weaknesses. Othello’s strength that was seen within this play was that Othello is a masterful general and very skilled and is very successful. He was successful because he gives off a sense of confidence and control that others find appealing. Othello was able to represent the very best about a soldier in terms of his focus and commitment. However, he lacks this when it comes to his love of Desdemona. His primary weakness is that his insecurity and jealous nature gets the best of him. This is the reason Othello is bash where he is. His weakness is his inability to understand that someone like Desdemona would love someone like him. Othello's weak understanding of his own character, as a soldier and man of color in a world, and his lack of faith in the relationship that he and Desdemona ends up leading to his downfall. “I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at” (Shakespeare, 2005).…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays