Jealousy in "Othello"

Paper Summary:

This paper briefly compares the jealous nature of Othello and Iago. Using examples from the play, the writer questions whether Iago was more jealous that Othello and whether their jealous natures impacted each others incorrect decisions throughout.

From the Paper:

"Othello is often described as a tragic character because he is a great leader and military hero who is brought low by one, fatal personal flaw that he is otherwise unaware of-namely his jealousy. But really it seems as if Iago is the more jealous of the two men, jealous of the Moor's advancement in Venetian society, and of the promotion of Michael Cassio. One of the first things Iago says in the play, in Act 1, Scene 1 to Rodrigo is "Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service, /Preferment goes by letter and affection, /And not by old gradation, where each second/Stood heir to the first." (1.1) In other words, rather than merit and age, people who are pretty and preferred like Cassio get promoted-a statement that seethes with jealousy. In contrast to Iago, Othello in fact seems to possess a free and open nature, and seldom jealously begrudges anyone of anything they are truly, fully owed. He leaps into service for the state immediately upon his wedding night when the city is threatened militarily. Instead, Othello's true tragic flaw is his sense of being an outsider."

More papers on Jealousy in "Othello":

• Book Review # 119010 : "Jealousy in "Othello"
• Analytical Essay # 117013 : "The Jealousy of Othello"
• Analytical Essay # 136050 : "Jealousy in the Character of Othello"

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