The lines above are from William Shakespeares famous play Othello: The Moor of Venice, and express the visually disturbing affect that jealously has on love and ones mental state. This play tells a tragic love story between a African American general (Othello) and the daughter of a wealthy Venetian senator (Desdemona), who are ultimately lead to their demise by a web of lies. The root to their downfall stems from Iago: Othello's ensign, who uses every resource he can to sabotage Othello's happiness. His hate of his general has grown because of the jealously of not obtaining the position of lieutenant that Othello has given to Michael Cassio (I.i.1-71). In this explication I will examine Shakespeare's use of imagery, irony, and symbolism using the lines above suggest that his theme throughout this story is the fact that jealously is literally "monster" that is the fuel behind the madness and hate in this play.
The first two lines from the excerpt of the play create a sense of irony that Shakespeare uses quite frequently in his plays. The lines are a quote from Iago spoken to Othello warning him of the consequences of jealously by comparing it to a "green-ey'd monster" (III.iii.195-196). These lines are a wonderful example of Shakespeare's use of irony. The irony in this statement by Iago is the fact that jealously is what drives Iago to lie to those around him to achieve any form of revenge in his ability on the man he is giving advice to. These two lines create a visually disturbing image of the "monster" that is jealously, which suggests to fear this metaphorical monster. This monster soon manifests into the fear Othello has of the uncertainty of his wife faithfulness. Shakespeare not only uses this metaphor several other times in this play, but truly plays on the emotion and mood created by his words. He continues to build the image in the mind with: "The meat it feeds on" (line 197). This line is to say that the monster of jealousy takes delight in playing and teasing its victims. In another instance of irony, it is easy to compare the way the monster plays with its victims with the way Iago toys with the people around him in his lies.
Further does Iago add to Othello's thoughts of suspecting his wife of cheating on him by stating: "That cuckold lives in bliss, Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger" (lines 197-198). The meaning of his words here are that being a husband that is aware of his wife's infidelity can still be happy (bliss), but may make an enemy of the man she is sleeping with. The conflict that Iago creates here is suggesting to Othello that he make a rival out of the man accused of sleeping with Othello's wife, Desdemona. Iago creates a larger and more dangerous web of lies by stating the accuser is Michael Cassio, who initially took the position of lieutenant he wanted for himself. Iago continues with saying "But O, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!", meaning to think of the misery a husband endures if he still suspects his wife of unfaithfulness, but still continues to act of is there is no doubt (lines 199-200). Furthering the insecurity of himself and Desdemona's love that begins to overwhelm Othello, Iago uses these final lines to push him in the direction of truly believing the lie Iago has created, causing the jealousy monster to grow.
This entire excerpt is a perfect example of Iago's ease of manipulation and of his ability to cover his exasperating desire to make a fool out of Othello. He grabs the fear of Othello and the audience through the image of a striking monster and as if he himself is a monster, feeds on the strong emotional ties love creates and uses it to build a false trust. Iago uses this to play on the proud side of Othello, almost outright saying that he is becoming a play-thing or toy of jealousy, therefore being weak. This passage is where Iago truly gains control over the Othello's thoughts and assumptions, which Iago continues to "feed" on and on until the bitter end. It also is the first instance where the major theme of jealousy is actually mentioned by the antagonist of the play who ironically is driven by jealousy and hate.
In conclusion, the most obvious theme is that the devastating consequences of jealousy can occur circumstantially or purposely whether it is on a personal, professional, or internal level. Shakespeare shows us with "Othello; The Moor of Venice", it is not until is too late at times, that because of the maddening affect that jealousy has we may not see reason. William Shakespeare's plays give the audience such visual stimulation in his words and digs at the core of our emotion in such a way it is not hard to empathize with a character that was created over four centuries ago.
