The Question:
Presentation of jealousy
Introduction Shakespeare presents jealousy as a form of tyranny in the play: it destroys love, honour and
nobility, causing the demise of both male protagonists by the end. Both Iago and Othello are
eaten up by either professional or sexual jealousy, and due to the importance of reputation in
the early modern period, their violence might be a justified response to the fear of being
cuckolded which was incredibly shameful and embarrassing. Alternately, it’s possible to see Iago
as more than just a jealous character but an evil one, who, like the devil, uses the power of
language to lead Othello astray and causing his transformation from a valiant general to a jealous
husband showing signs of madness. Therefore, Iago should be seen as the cause of both the
jealousy and descent of Othello, who’s greatest flaw was ever trusting Iago.
Point 1 From the beginning of the play, Iago makes his hatred of Othello clear as a result of his sexual
jealousy as he believes he has ‘done his office’.
Is Iago jealous or
motiveless? ‘He hath twixt my sheets… done my office’
‘wife for wife’
‘I hate the moor’
Jealousy of Cassio: ‘I deserve no worse a place’ ‘he hath a daily beauty in his life that
makes me ugly’
Alternately, Iago could be seen as a cynical malcontent, a villain who uses excuses to
cover up his true evil.
Coleridge- ‘motiveless malignity’
Cowhig- argues that Iago is eaten up with sexual jealousy.
CONCLUSION- NO, EVIL
Point 2 To begin with, Othello does not seem a naturally jealous man, but as a result of Iago’s scheming,
like the devil he is able to tempt him towards destruction:
Iago as the cause
of Othello’s To begin with, Othello seems secure in his relationship: ‘she had eyes and chose me’ ‘my
jealousy life upon her faith’
Power of language- ‘pour this pestilence into his ear’ ‘the moor already changes with my
poison’ ‘with her on her what you will’
‘Honest Iago’
Plays on Othello’s insecurities as an outsider in Venice- ‘she did deceive her father,
marrying you’ ‘Cassio’s a proper man’ ‘country’s disposition’
o Loomba says the openness of Venice could be seen as dangerous.
Can we see Othello as simply a victim?
o Rymer says he is a ‘jealous booby’
o AC Bradley is sympathetic, calling him a ‘romantic hero’ and that ‘many men
would be made wildly jealous’
Point 3 Jealousy leads to the transformation in the character of Othello, leading to ultimate madness
and loss of control:
Jealousy
ultimately leads Change from calm and measured blank verse to prose
to Othello’s ‘It comes over my memory as doth the raven over the infected house’
madness and ‘O beware my lord of jealousy, it is the green eyed monster that doth mock the meat it
demise feeds on’
Othello’s fit in Act 4.1- ‘he foams at the mouth, and… breaks out to savage madness’
Presentation of jealousy
Introduction Shakespeare presents jealousy as a form of tyranny in the play: it destroys love, honour and
nobility, causing the demise of both male protagonists by the end. Both Iago and Othello are
eaten up by either professional or sexual jealousy, and due to the importance of reputation in
the early modern period, their violence might be a justified response to the fear of being
cuckolded which was incredibly shameful and embarrassing. Alternately, it’s possible to see Iago
as more than just a jealous character but an evil one, who, like the devil, uses the power of
language to lead Othello astray and causing his transformation from a valiant general to a jealous
husband showing signs of madness. Therefore, Iago should be seen as the cause of both the
jealousy and descent of Othello, who’s greatest flaw was ever trusting Iago.
Point 1 From the beginning of the play, Iago makes his hatred of Othello clear as a result of his sexual
jealousy as he believes he has ‘done his office’.
Is Iago jealous or
motiveless? ‘He hath twixt my sheets… done my office’
‘wife for wife’
‘I hate the moor’
Jealousy of Cassio: ‘I deserve no worse a place’ ‘he hath a daily beauty in his life that
makes me ugly’
Alternately, Iago could be seen as a cynical malcontent, a villain who uses excuses to
cover up his true evil.
Coleridge- ‘motiveless malignity’
Cowhig- argues that Iago is eaten up with sexual jealousy.
CONCLUSION- NO, EVIL
Point 2 To begin with, Othello does not seem a naturally jealous man, but as a result of Iago’s scheming,
like the devil he is able to tempt him towards destruction:
Iago as the cause
of Othello’s To begin with, Othello seems secure in his relationship: ‘she had eyes and chose me’ ‘my
jealousy life upon her faith’
Power of language- ‘pour this pestilence into his ear’ ‘the moor already changes with my
poison’ ‘with her on her what you will’
‘Honest Iago’
Plays on Othello’s insecurities as an outsider in Venice- ‘she did deceive her father,
marrying you’ ‘Cassio’s a proper man’ ‘country’s disposition’
o Loomba says the openness of Venice could be seen as dangerous.
Can we see Othello as simply a victim?
o Rymer says he is a ‘jealous booby’
o AC Bradley is sympathetic, calling him a ‘romantic hero’ and that ‘many men
would be made wildly jealous’
Point 3 Jealousy leads to the transformation in the character of Othello, leading to ultimate madness
and loss of control:
Jealousy
ultimately leads Change from calm and measured blank verse to prose
to Othello’s ‘It comes over my memory as doth the raven over the infected house’
madness and ‘O beware my lord of jealousy, it is the green eyed monster that doth mock the meat it
demise feeds on’
Othello’s fit in Act 4.1- ‘he foams at the mouth, and… breaks out to savage madness’
