The Destruction Of Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

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Throughout the renowned play of Othello, Iago often attempts to rationalize his actions with excuses and never reveals what is going on in his mind. Some of his reasons are verbalized however most go unnoticed and are not vocalized. The remaining reasons for his actions are . Ultimately, Iago’s internal conflicts are what drives his desire to ruin Othello such as his jealousy, insecurities and his unhappiness. The character of Iago is infamous for being controlled by the strong emotion of jealousy that leads to large amounts of damage. Iago is evidently jealous of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage, which fuels his desire to destroy their relationship. When he witnesses their happiness before his eyes, he vows to end their joyful bond “Oh, …show more content…
Just like the saying, misery loves company, Iago attempts to ruin the other characters’ happiness to feel less alone in the world. Iago wants to take away Othello’s happiness and he knows that in order to do that he must ruin his marriage. He goes out of his way to discredit Desdemona’s goodness and virtue by spreading malicious rumors. Iago becomes blinded by his own sadness that he becomes murderous and even tells Othello “Do it not with poison. / Strangle her in her bed” (IV, i, 159). He takes pleasure from ruining the lives of others and making them as miserable as him. Due to his current depressed state, Iago is not able to the embody the pureness that Othello and Desdemona have. His negative outlook on life causes him to want to desire everything good such as Othello’s marriage. Iago finds enjoyment in destroying all things pure “So will I turn her virtue into pitch / And out of her own goodness make the net / That shall enmesh them all.” (II, iii, 269-271). He has no reason to hurt Desdemona but he uses her and her kind intentions for his own amusement. Iago sees Desdemona’s pureness as something he must wreck because of his hatred for all things

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