On Jealousy and Emotions: William Shakespeare's Othello

The theme of jealousy perhaps has never been so prominent in any other of William Shakespeare’s plays or we could say it has never been described in how it slowly and insidiously shows up in the human mind, thanks to Shakespeare’s clever wordplay.

“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on” (3.3, 168-170), says the infamous character Iago, the so-called Othello’s companion. Iago puts forth a wonderful depiction of jealousy, showing he is one of the best astute characters.

Iago is quite right in saying that jealousy is a monster. However, it is Iago himself who first scatters the first pieces of flesh in front of the monster and feeds this monster so savagely, meaning sowing the seeds of jealousy in Othello’s mind, claiming that his lover Desdemona has an affair with Cassio. But is it right to hold Iago solely responsible for this? Is not jealousy a creature that already lies dormant within all humans? I think Shakespeare perfectly shows us that a single spiritual weakness or passion may trigger jealousy or any other emotions that lead an individual astray.

After not finding out who has started the fight between Cassio and Montano (the former is Othello’s lieutenant and the latter is the Governor of Cyprus), Othello, angered by uncertainty, utters these striking words: “Now, by heaven, / My blood begins my safer guides to rule, / And passion, having my best judgment collied” (2.3, 195-197). We understand that Othello is aware of the fact that he doesn’t think reasonably because of his “blood” and “passion.” In the years when Shakespeare wrote this work, the word “blood” was used to describe the humor of an individual, and “passion” was used to describe intense emotions. Othello knows these feelings that burn inside him but can’t fix them either because he is already poisoned by them. Othello becomes the captive of intense emotions besides jealousy.

What I like about this play is that Shakespeare indicates that whether you are a successful commander or an intelligent person, you may not be able to prevent yourself from being a slave to your emotions. Shakespeare shows us the nature of mankind and how he can go astray with just a little spark.

It would be unfair to Shakespeare's Othello to discuss it in just a short paragraph. In this play, Shakespeare successfully addresses human nature as well as other social issues such as justice and racism.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. “Othello.” The Oxford Shakespeare, ed. by Michael Neill, Oxford World Classics, 2006.