Shakespeare's "Othello"

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses Othello's and the other characters' misplaced trust due to their need for empirical evidence in Shakespeare's work, "Othello". It also analyzes Shakespeare's use of monster imagery to describe the darkness in the human heart. Finally, the paper contains an exploration of the liberal use of supposed love by the characters, which is eventually proven not to be love at all.

From the Paper:

"Shakespeare's exploration of the concept of jealousy leads to the theme of the human mind's predisposition to favor the "monstrous." Monsters of the human psyche are self-generating, even without the prodding of an evil manipulator such as Iago. He feeds this compulsion by encouraging Othello to "behold," in his mind's eye, his wife being "topped" by Cassio (3. 3. 412). When jealousy is labeled as a monster in the play, it is used to suggest how one can be overtaken by a passion. Iago defines jealousy as "the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on" (3. 3. 179-80), a foul parasite that torments its host. When Emilia explains jealousy to be a "monster begot upon itself, born on itself" (3. 4. 157), she underscores its self-generating nature. "Jealous souls" do not need real events to fuel their suspicions because, Emilia explains, they are "not ever jealous for the cause" (3. 4. 154-55)."

More papers on Shakespeare's "Othello":

• Analytical Essay # 31231 : "The Characters of "Othello" and "Jane Eyre" as 'Other'"
• Analytical Essay # 136050 : "Jealousy in the Character of Othello"
• Analytical Essay # 54260 : "Shakespeare's "Othello" and Tragedy"
• Research Proposal # 104756 : "Women in Shakespeare's Tragedies"

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