o Jealousy: The Green-Eyed Monster

JEALOUSY: THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER

Jealousy is a perilous emotion that lays down the deadly netting which ensnares Othello, and so, it is worth plunging into. “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger, but, oh, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er who dotes, yet doubts— suspects, yet soundly loves!” (3.iii.170-175).

In Renaissance England, most emotions were related to colors. Green symbolized jealousy. In the play Othello, Shakespeare develops this concept into a more visual idea, making it a powerful monster. Additionally, the English playwright adds the caution ‘beware’ to make envy more spine-chilling.

The fact that Iago is fully aware of the potency of jealousy and harnesses it against Othello, reveals the evil that is lurking beneath the surface.

Figure 15: The Green-Eyed Monster by Shauna O-Connor

Source : https://www.deviantart.com/shauna-o-connor/art/The-green-eyed-monster196655740

The Psychology of Jealousy

Jealousy encompasses feelings such as suspicion, rage, fear, and humiliation. This complex emotion can be provoked by many factors. Perhaps, feeling a threat aimed at a relationship one values is the most common trigger. In other words, envy generally stems from a feeling of being replaced by a third party. Psychological factors that make people more prone to jealousy include: Low self-esteem, anxiety, moodiness, depression, possessiveness, fear of abandonment, attachment issues …