Jealousy+and+Company+Draft+1

By Ysabella Grossman
 * __Jealousy and Company__**

In Shakespeare's famous play, Othello, themes of jealousy, betrayal, and anger fuel its plot. Iago's rage and jealousy over Othello choosing Cassio as his lieutenant rather than himself, inspires Iago to destroy Othello along with all of his fortunes; the relationship between him and Desdemona and the heroic image that the city of Venice has of him. __Rage, jealousy and deception play equal roles in Othello and the theme provoke each other.__ The signs of envy and back stabbing begin to appear within Iago's action and intention. He attempts to demolish Othello's life.

The chain and metamorphisis of deceitfulness started with Iago's jealousy of Cassio becoming lieutenant led him to betray him by planting Desdemona's hankerchief in his drawer. This anger is also turned to destroy Othello. Iago's goal is to provoke Othello into a rage and alter his treasured image. Green-eyed Iago has led him aggravate Othello into a gloom of jealousy and mistrust.

Iago is speaking to Roderigo, as he tells him to fetch Desdemona's father, Brabantio. "Call up father. Rouse him. Make after him, poison his delight, proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen, and, though he in a fertile climate dwell, plague him with flies. Though that his joy be joy, yet throw such chances of vexation on't as it may lose some color." (Iago, 1.1) His plan is to fuel Brabantio's anger by telling him of Othello and Desdemona's secret love. This will diminish the grand image that Barbantio once had for Othello. Iago's main goal within this attempt is to demolish Brabantio's image of Othello. He is in hopes that the relationship between Othello and Desdemona will end because her father is now aware of the news. As their relationship continued to remain solid and strong, Iago's first plan was dissolved.

Speaking to Othello, Iago tries to make him think that Desdemona longs for Cassio instead of Othello. "And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, I'll pour this pestilence into his ear, that she repeals him for her body's lust; And by how much she strives to do him good, she shall undo her credit with the Moor." (Iago, 2.3). This is proof that Iago plots to convince Othello of the lust between Desdemona and Cassio.

Othello explains to Iago that he will murder Desdemona tonight and filter her from his mind. "Get me some poison, Iago, this night I'll not expostulate with her lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago." (Othello, 4.1) The lies Iago tells about Desdemona's affection toward Cassio drives Othello into a jealous rage, which results in Othello killing Desdemona because he believes her unfaithfull. As Othhello is tricked in a jealous rage, his mistrust in Desdemona led him to murdering her. Believing that she has been unfaithful with his lieutenant Cassio, he smothers Desdemona until she dies.

As Desdemona is disstressed about Othello's strange behavior, Emilia emphasizes why men become jealous. "But jealous souls will not be answer so. They are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they're jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself." (Emilia, 3.4). Emilia explains the beast of jealousy and how this envy is born from anger. Emilia describes a man's jealousy as a "monster". This may justify how dangerous begrudging can really be.

You are able to see the domino affects that happen within the character's emotions and can clearly see that envy, anger and betrayal cannot exist without the one another. Betrayal cannot be present until jealousy has been summoned first. Jealousy is a rivalry of emotions that cannot be suppressed unless resentful actions are taken.