Jealousy In William Shakespeare's Othello

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As a trusting man and good leader, Othello heeds the advise of his subordinates, but this character trait, leads him to trust a liar and suspect his loyal companion Cassio. He lets himself become convinced by “honest” Iago that his wife is being unfaithful, and his lieutenant has betrayed him. When he sees Cassio courting Desdemona to get back into Othello’s good graces, he asks to know Iago’s thoughts on the matter, and Iago’s hesitant act draws him in “If thou dost love me, / Show me thy thought” (3.3.115-16). Iago has Othello under his thumb, abusing the good nature he promised to protect, while he throws his marriage into doubt and turmoil. His believing nature will lead him to feel the vehement sting of betrayal from his suspects. James P. Hammersmith states that the trait itself is not a flaw, “Othello's trusting nature would have done him no …show more content…
Nature would not invest / herself in such a shadowing passion without some instruction.” (4.1.39-40) Once he is certain of Desdemona’s guilt, he is no longer capable of acting rationally, and is determined to get revenge. The handkerchief is what convinces him, as it acts as a potent symbol for Desdemona’s fidelity, and once she loses it, she also loses her innocence in Othello’s eyes. Although Iago exploited Othello’s trust, Othello was quick to disavow his own lieutenant and wife after he is presented with circumstantial evidence of their disloyalty. John Channing Briggs says, “The handkerchief is for Othello far more than a mechanical sign. It is freighted with Othello's love, his stories, his family identity, his semi-magical exoticism, his fidelity” and thus it carries much more weight for Othello as circumstantial proof. The symbolism behind the handkerchief was much more powerful motivator for Othello’s reaction than the handkerchief itself, which prompted his hateful

Jealousy In William Shakespeare's Othello

William Shakespeare is one of the the most prolific writers of all times. Arguably, he can be considered to have impacted the english language more than any other author or playwright; he has coined many words that are still in use today that prior to his writings did not exist.Shakespeare wrote numerous sonnets as well as plays. Even though he wrote comedies as well as histories, Shakespeare is most famous for his tragedies. plays like Hamlet, Macbeth,and Romeo and Juliet explore the darker side…

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Manipulation In Shakespeare's Othello Is Still Relevant Today

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Othello: Jealousy

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Othello Tragic Hero Essay

William Shakespeare has written many prominent plays that were centered on a specific emotion that propelled the play forward and moved the story along. Shakespeare has proven to be one of the greatest story writers of his time, and many times using his ability to play with emotions. Shakespeare’s 1603-04 play Othello drove on the passion of jealousy, being a tragic hero, and being betrayal. Othello showed all of these throughout the play. Othello was pretty jealous when he was convinced by Iago…

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Othello's Jealousy

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What Is Jealousy In Othello

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