The Green-Eyed Monster
Comments(3) While we already know that Iago has an evil plan to destroy the Venetian Moorish general, Othello, it is interesting to see how he describes as his plan unfolds. “I have’t. It is engender’d. Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.” (1.3.12) In a Puckish style rhyme, the lines are delivered in a musical and magical type of way, presenting the idea that Iago’s monstrous plan of deception may very well be something mystical, and superhuman.
Though he were wise enough to devise a plan to deceive Roderigo to come with him to provide him money, and to deceive Cassio to get drunk and cause him to get into a brawl and lose his position, it is interesting to note that this plan may not be something that he can control either once it is given birth. Like a child that he raised himself, it is interesting to see that it is this jealousy that he springs onto Othello that once was his own.
Iago : “I stand accountant for as great a sin,- / But partly led to diet my revenge, / For that I do suspect the lusty Moor [Othello] / Hath [has] leap’d into my seat; the thought whereof [of] / Doth [does] like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards [eat me up]; (Act2.1.305-309)
It seems he may have been jealous of Othello because he was suspecting that his own wife was cheating on him, and he would not stop until he had gotten “wife for wife” (2.1.286). Later on it seems that the monster of jealousy has already taken ahold of Othello, however it may be something that he knows all too well.
Iago: “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on.” (3.3.170-172)
The most playful deceptions arise from jealousy as seen from the story of Oberon and Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream or from Helena and Hermia when she feels deceived, and this is when the human frailties seem at its weakest. Iago’s understanding of how to use these dysfunctional relationships to his advantage is how he is able to get Roderigo to come along with him to Venice and to continue to give him money and help him with his plans.
What about Emilia, who speaks on jealousy as if she knows it well herself?
Emilia: “But jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster
Begot upon itself, born on itself.(3.4.159-160)
Jealousy is definitely what defines Othello there are many different kinds of jealousy as well some that are easier to figure out than others. We see Othello being jealous over Desdemonia which given her outspoken nature and independence can pose a bit of a threat to him and the other parallel jealousy of Roderigo towards Othello for having Desdemona. The most complex for of jealousy though is the one from Iago towards Othello because the reader doesn’t really know what drives it. It isn’t a women like in the other cases and we never get the AHHA! moment of finally figuring it out.
Shakespeare definitely loves to play out the jealousy plot. Othello, like other Shakespeare plays is centered around a story of love and betrayal, and jealousy is an element that seems to always come with those two themes.
I really became to hate Othello during this jealously plot. Yes he’s being tricked by Iago to think differently of his wife. But a man that many claim is smart isn’t smart enough to just directly ask his wife if she’s cheating on him? Or like, talking to her as an adult about their love life? Othello killing Desdemona at the end was so childish.