Jealousy And Manipulation In Othello

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The Key to Tragedy: Jealousy and Manipulation William Shakespeare, also known as the English national poet, remains considered as “the greatest dramatist of all time.” He has written many plays that provide readers an outlook towards human conflict and emotion. Othello, one of Shakespeare’s famous plays, has various movie versions. Tim Blake Nelson’s 2001 updated modern version of Othello, “O”, integrates the important symbolism of the handkerchief as well as themes of jealousy and manipulation; yet, it devalues the important features of women discrimination and early modern English language. The handkerchief engages a very important part of both the play and the movie. It is used as a symbol of love and is converted to being used as a
Iago clarifies that he is unsure that his wife really did cheat on him with Othello, but he still decided to remain with the idea of ruining Othello’s life: “I hate the Moor,/ And it is thought abroad, that ‘twixt my sheets/ ‘Has dpne my office. I know not if’t be true,/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,/ Will do as if for surety” (Othello 1.3.370-74). An important scene in the play that seems to be very ironic is when Iago warns Othello of jealousy. Iago’s use of reverse psychology is very convincing to Othello, because one would not imagine the person warning them from jealousy to be jealous themselves. Iago is pretending to be a caring friend when he explains to Othello that jealousy is a monster, “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;/ It is the green-eyed monster which doth/ mock The meat it feeds on” (Othello 3.3.165-67). Little did Othello know that Iago is the jealous
Iago’s manipulation list consists of Othello, Cassio, Roderigo, Desdemona and Emilia. He pretends to be the caring person that wants to help everyone with their problems, but he is trying to understand their problems in order to make them worse. First, Iago manipulates Roderigo by allowing him to fantasize that his love for Desdemona will soon come into reality. Roderigo’s wish is for Desdemona and Othello to separate, and Iago allows him to believe that it will happen. Soon after, Iago turns to Cassio and takes advantage of his light drinking by getting him drunk and allowing him to make a complete fool of himself. This incident creates a dilemma and it takes Cassio’s lieutenant position away from him. Iago then manipulates Othello by putting the idea of Casio and Desdemona having a sexual relationship which drives Othello off the edge. Desdemona’s intention to help Cassio is manipulated by Iago and is overlooked as flirting or interest. Iago’s wife, Emilia, is quickly manipulated by being the character that lends Iago the handkerchief to commit the

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