The Credibility Of Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

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Robert Heinlein once stated: "A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity." In William Shakespeare's "Othello," Othello's self-reliance is prominent as he is a highly respected general in the armies of Venice and betrothed to a younger senator's daughter; but when his envious ensign seeks revenge, he begins to question the motives of the people dearest to him. While appearing to be a confident, well-respected guy, Othello's insecurities of being an outsider take the better of him, and as the play progresses, his "confidence" is unmasked as doubt. In the first and second acts, Othello seems to be auspicious and in love with his new bride, Desdemona. Between the newlyweds, there is a significant amount of trust, and Othello expresses: "My life upon her faith" (1. 3. 295) when Brabantio warns him about Desdemona being unfaithful to him. This quote is the first insight the reader's receive questioning …show more content…

Although he ends up suffocating Desdemona, he does it in such a way that he "protects" her: "Have you prayed tonight, Desdemon?" (5.2.26). Along with wanting her sins to be forgiven, he also doesn't want her body to have flaws, bruises or be bloody, after she has passed. This action reveals his true feelings for his bride, regardless of the influence of the ones feeding him lies. Othello believes that Desdemona should die for being unfaithful, but she should die as "peacefully" as she can. At the end of the final scene, we realize that Othello is still in madly in love with his wife, and after finding out the truth ends up committing suicide from regret: "I kissed thee ere I killed thee, no way but this/ Killing myself, to die upon a kiss." (5.2.375-376). True love was able to break the mask of jealousy and remain pure until

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