Summary Of Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

Shakespeare’s Othello exhibits the unique ability to appeal to modern audiences as it explores enduring and multifaceted characteristics of humanity. Similarities between the historical society and a modern context prove how the augmented lives of characters can influence an understanding of our own experiences. The perpetual nature of Shakespeare is evident through his portrayal of thematic concerns, which are explored through the astute use of language and devices. Thus, after centuries of critical deconstruction, Othello can still be recognised for its distinctive messages on jealousy, love and stereotyping. This becomes apparent through a new historicist and determinist reading of the play, which each bring their own understandings to the …show more content…
Jealousy acts as the antithesis of the love between Othello and Desdemona, as it ultimately proves to be the corrosive force which causes the destruction of the unidealistic union. Othello is driven to the murder of Desdemona by sexual jealousy, ‘No Iago; I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; and on the proof there is no more but this, - away at once with love or jealousy.’ Although Othello claims he trusts in Desdemona’s faithfulness, there are underlying connotations of betrayal in his words, as the repetition of ‘doubt’ suggests that he is already believing the lies spun by Iago. Love and jealousy are placed side by side, inferring an almost synonymous meaning between the contrasting emotions, which portrays Othello’s confused emotions. The plot of the play is driven by the professional jealousy of Iago, whose motives against Othello are controversial, yet he chooses jealousy as his weapon in planning the protagonist’s demise. This is perhaps due to his own experiences with the fatalistic impacts of jealousy. Iago confirms this when he …show more content…
The persona of a moor has been used by Shakespeare to act as a symbolic outsider, a protagonist who cannot be empathised with by the responder from any era. Othello’s personality however, is shown to be grounded in many Venetian values, juxtaposing the preconceptions formed about his race. ‘Of one whose hand, like the base Indian, threw a pearl away, richer than all his tribe.’ Othello’s derogatory comparison of himself to a ‘base Indian’ infers that he sees himself as a Venetian, above the perceived savagery of his race. By distancing himself from the native Indians he hopes to establish less of an outsider status, which he presumes to be almost non-existent due to his high position in the army. Despite this superficial acceptance, there is still a societal mistrust of the moor, which is embodied by the actions of Iago, who seemingly acts on behalf of society. He exclaims to Brabantio, ‘Very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe.’ The juxtaposition of black and white is used to distinguish Othello from society, which elevates the racism depicted in his bestial analogy. Iago’s role is that of a socially sanctioned antagonist, to ensure that the ‘other’ remains within his own stereotype. Hence, by breaking free of the societal preconceptions, Othello can be interpreted from a new historicist reading to be inviting the