Othello Jealousy Essay

Jealousy, is a “green-eyed monster”( 3.3.167-168) . In that quote Iago is comparing jealousy to a green eyed monster, which is ugly and evil. Therefore Iago is saying that jealousy is something that gnaws at you little by little but will eventually eat up up. The play “ Othello” by William Shakespeare was written in 1604. The play originally took place in Venice , but throughout the play the settings switched from Venice to Cyprus. During the play Shakespeare demonstrated several themes within the character and how those themes motivated the characters actions. Jealousy is one emotion that impels Iago's manipulative actions throughout the entire play.
Iago is the 3rd-in-command which is called an ancient. Iago is married to Emilia, who is Desdemona's servant. He is the antagonist in the play, he is portrayed as the villain and is a very sadistic person. Iago loved seeing others in pain. Watching others suffer
Iago is jealous of Othello, not only because he is the general but because he is a black general that is married to a white women. During the 1600’s it is very unlikely for a black men to be so powerful and also be married to a white women like Desdemona. Throughout the whole play Iago is portrayed as a jealous man that wants power and money , and the fact that Othello, a black male has more power than him makes him sick to his stomach. When Iago is talking to Brabantio he calls Othello a “ old black ram”(1.1.86-87) that is having sex with “ white ewe”( 1.1.87). A black male like Othello usually would be stereotyped as part animal. Here Iago is comparing Othello to a “old black ram”(1.1.86-87) which is basically a beast. This shows that Iago is jealous because throughout the whole book Iago always associate Othello with a type of animal or any negative stereotype of a black male , and if you are not jealous of someone you would not talk harsh about them and come up with a plan to ruin your friends