The Outcomes of Jealousy and Hatred in Shakespeare's Othello

Jealousy and vengeance are common emotions that people go through every day. These emotions can drive people to behave and act in a certain way. Sometimes one’s jealousy consumes them so much that they end up doing something that they end up truly regretting it. Shakespeare's Play, Othello revolves around an African American general named Othello. At the beginning of the book, Othello has recently married Desdemona, and at the same time he appoints Cassio as a lieutenant and because of this Iago is enraged. Upset about not being chosen, Iago soon begins to devise is plan on getting Cassio fired by manipulating Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Throughout the book, Iago continues trying to manipulate Othello, he plants the handkerchief and plans on using it as proof. Iago soon tells Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio and because of this Othello is extremely upset. At the end of the book, Othello ends up committing actions that were messed up and wrong and people died because of it. Othello soon realizes that he’s been manipulated and regrets every decision he made. However, even though Iago succeeds in manipulating Othello, he is purely bad because of the actions he committed towards Desdemona.

Othello is upset with Desdemona after finding out that she might be having an affair with him and plans his plot to kill her. Iago has recently planted the handkerchief as a way to show that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Once he has planted the handkerchief, Iago tells Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Othello is extremely upset after hearing that Desdemona is having an affair and because of this Othello demands Iago to give him proof, this is when the handkerchief comes into play. Conflicted on what he should do, he comes up with a plan. He said, “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. Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated. Good, good. The justice of it pleases. Very good”. Othello is conflicted about what he should do, he asks Iago if he should poison Desdemona. Iago who realizes that he has successfully manipulated Othello, suggests the idea to strangle her in the bed she slept in with Cassio.

Due to Othello being conflicted he agrees with Iago’s idea. Now Othello has a motive, he has unveiled his true identity because of his new motive this changes the understanding of Othello. Othello was portrayed as a heroic figure who always has the right judgment and is supposed to be strong and calm. This brings up the question of whether Othello was hiding his true identity? Or whether he was real all along and cared about Desdemona? This proves that Othello is purely evil because of the plan he is trying to plot. Desdemona is confronted by Othello, Othello starts arguing with Desdemona this eventually leads to Othello calling Desdemona a whore which results in Othello converting to violence. Othello has recently found out from Iago that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. When Othello heard the news he wasn’t too stoked about it, instead, he was furious. Othello started to plot his plan on murdering Desdemona. At first, he wanted to poison her, but Iago suggested the idea of strangling her in the same bed that she slept in with Cassio. Othello soon walks up to Desdemona and confronts her about the situation. Othello starts yelling at Desdemona about the situation, even though Desdemona looked so confused and clueless. This mad Othello even madder and this is where he snapped, “striking her Devil! I have not deserved this… O, devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight! I will not stay to offend you”.

Othello seems to be very upset about this situation. He is so upset about it that he went out of his way to hit Desdemona. In the book, Othello men are portrayed to be a strong, calm, and respectable figure. But in Othello’s case, he has broken the views of men as they aren’t supposed to hit a girl. Furthermore, during the beginning of the book, Othello travels to Cyprus. Cyprus is described as a place where there are laws and orders and it isn’t as chaotic. Othello is seen hitting a woman which is especially frowned upon in Cyprus. In today’s modern society, domestic abuse is also frowned upon. At a young age, people in today’s society are usually taught that they aren’t allowed to hit girls. This brings up the question of whether Othello realizes what he has done? And if he realizes the consequences to it? While most people believe that Othello is purely bad because of the actions he committed, as they were bad, some argue that Othello is purely good because Iago manipulated him into thinking that Desdemona was having an affair with him. In all fairness, this argument is merit because if Iago hasn’t manipulated Othello, then he wouldn’t have committed all of these actions. Othello was upset and he allowed his emotions to get the best of him. Even though, Iago manipulates Othello into thinking that Desdemona was having an affair with him. The actions he committed was his fault of his own as he allowed his emotions to get the best of him. And Othello should be responsible for what he did as he decided to kill Desdemona. Desdemona is already in bed and Othello soon enters, while entering he said “It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood, Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, And smooth as monumental alabaster. Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men”.

Even though, Othello is furious with Desdemona he is still going forth with his plan to kill Desdemona. Othello has allowed his emotions to get the best of him. Although Iago manipulates Othello, Iago doesn’t have the power to change the way Othello think and act, it was ultimately his decision to execute and go forth with the plan. Therefore, Othello should be the one to blame for the death of Desdemona showing that Othello is purely bad because he murdered someone without justification. By the end of the book, Iago’s plan has been fully executed. Othello has fully fallen for his plan, which led to the death of Desdemona and Emila. Everyone was in disbelief, even Othello. Othello soon realizes that he’s been manipulated by Iago and goes out of his way to stab Iago and sent him to court. Othello filled with guilt and regret, he took his own life. Most people have experienced some kind of hatred and jealousy. Othello allowed his hatred and jealousy to ruin the lives of other people. Shakespeare clearly shows us the effects of jealousy and hatred long term as it can lead to the downfall of someone, in this case, Othello. In today’s modern society the phrase, “If someone tells you to do something dangerous, would you do it?” is fairly common as the decisions and hatred in someone else shouldn’t affect the way you think and treat others. This is what Iago succeeded in doing to Othello, which led to the downfall of him.