Envy And Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

Envy is an emotion naturally evoked by human beings. It is a desire to take ownership of a certain possession that someone else owns. As mentioned in Aaron Ben-Ze’ev article “Envy and Jealousy”, it is a negative attitude that stems from a “subject’s inferiority to another agent” and differences in “characteristics, possessions, or positions”. It is a theme prominently showcased in the tragic play Othello through the narcissistic and villainous ploy of the antagonist Iago. The exploration of his role as the “villain” conveys how envy fostered by the desire for power, an inferiority complex, and his psychopathic mentality can be a destructive force in the lives of those that bear the epitome of his discontent. To yearn for power is a catalyst

As a general for the Venetian army, Othello is an honorable and honest soldier that rose from the shackles of his past. Although he is renowned for his military skills and status, he is at first regarded in the play with indifference for his “thick lips” and dark skin (I.i. 67). He is addressed as “the Moor”, a racial slur affiliated with African Americans, until Act III thus highlighting his foreign presence in the city (I.i. 97-101). In his conversation with Brabantio, Iago describes him as a “black ram”, “barbary horse” and insinuates him to be the devil (I.i. 119:123-127). The duke of the land even judges Othello for his race as he advises the aggrieved Brabantio on this interracial marriage to see “[his] son in law [as] far more fair than black” (I.iii.230). These racist sentiments present throughout the play are a key factor in Iago’s inferiority complex. From his perspective, he already sees Othello as a lesser man due to his race. Therefore, his envy derives from the knowledge that Othello gained his superior position from injustice. In Aaron Ben-Ze’ev’s journal “Envy and Jealousy”, he mentions how envy is “the subject’s inferiority in relation to another agent” (Ben-Ze’ev). It stems from “the subject wish[ing] to overcome the inequality with the object” and compensating for the qualities he or she lacks. Iago depicts this as he

From the beginning of the play, Iago is characterized as a psychopath by his “impulsive” and “motiveless” persona. He at first declares in his conversation with Roderigo intents to “dot[e] on [Othello’s] obsequious bondage” until he accomplishes his goal (I.i.48). Later in that scene, Iago mentions his hatred of Othello over a rumor that he “twixt his sheets”, a motive asserted in the article “Iago the Psychopath” as a “flimsy rationalization” (West, 27). These obscure motivations lead him to plant seeds of doubt and jealousy in Othello by “abus[ing] [his] ear that [Cassio] is too familiar with his wife” (I.iii.435). As the play progresses, his complexity as a psychopath is revealed through the “simple statements” and “remarkable knowledge of other people and their relations” (West 33). This is prominently seen in his discussions with Othello about his suspicions of Desdemona having an affair with Cassio. He initiates Othello’s path to jealousy by casually asking if Cassio knew of his involvement with Desdemona. Moreover, he subtly refuses to expound on his inquiry to build his curiosity to the point where Othello questions Iago’s loyalty as a friend. He evades suspicion by playing a victim of honesty as he exclaims “… o world, to be direct and honest is not safe” (III.iii.375-78). This manipulation further persists as he plants Desdemona’s