Sexual Jealousy in Shakespeare

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how sexual jealousy drives the plots of "Othello" and "The Winter's Tale". It shows how one play is a tragedy, the other a romance, or tragic-comedy, and how different genres imply different audience expectations. The paper explains how Shakespeare modifies the two jealousy plots to produce the effects aimed at in the two different kinds of plays.

From the Paper:

"Sexual jealousy prevails in the romantic and yet sometimes tragic "The Winter's Tale" from beginning to end. Leontes believes his wife, Hermione has been unfaithful to him, and has her jailed. While in jail, she has a child, who he disowns and abandons in the wilderness. However, Leontes soon learns that his jealousy is not only misplaced, it is extremely costly to his family. His only son dies from grief at his mother's imprisonment, and soon Hermione is also reported dead. Leontes is so distraught, he secludes himself for sixteen years before he discovers his lost child and that Hermione is still alive. The romance ends happily, with everything right in the world again. "

More papers on Sexual Jealousy in Shakespeare:

• Comparison Essay # 121448 : "Othello" and "A Doll's House"
• Analytical Essay # 66154 : "Othello"
• Analytical Essay # 58025 : "Hamlet"

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