In "Othello", jealousy is what appears to destroy him. Othello takes the word of an alleged trusted man, that his new bride has deceived him. Betrayal and manipulation lie at the heart of Othello and the jealousy destroys them all.This powerful destructive emotion was first suggested by Othello's trusted friend "Iago the Honest" when he says, "O beware jealousy; / It is the green ey'd monster, which doth mock / That meat it feeds on" (III.3, 169-170). It was Iago's own jealousy that put the wheels in motion for Othello's demi ...view middle of the document...
Everyone fell prey to Iago's game, but even Iago did not expect it to go as far as it did.This obsession has Othello's mind so set on one idea, he will not hear of any other explanation to sway him. This is evident when Othello sets up Desdemona with her missing handkerchief "I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me. Lend me thy Handkerchief." (III 5 46-47) No matter what Desdemona said, Othello would never be persuaded that she lost her handkerchief.Until the moment Othello kills Desdemona in a jealous rage he sees nothing but this madness that has over taken him. When Othello finally realizes he killed his beloved Desdemona mistakenly, he recovers. Othello is saddened beyond repair and takes full responsibility for her death and calmly takes his own life away.Jealousy is one of the most powerful emotions there is because it is generally fueled by a love that one has and has lost. Be it a love of a person or a love of a thing, such as a prominent position like Iago was after, it can destroy you and the one you loved. Unfortunately it is easier to sit and judge and say you shouldn't act in this manner, however; unless you experience this first hand you can never truly appreciate the loss of a love in this manner.
