Jealousy quotes

• "the valiant moor" (A1S3L47)

  • introduces othello at the very beginning of the play
  • his flaw is concealed from the audience, he's described in a way that shows hes well respected by the majority of the other characters
  • he is called valiant because he has been to war, fought against turks and won victories
• "the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on" (A3S3L82)

  • the way iago describes jealousy to othello
  • the metaphor portrays the sinful associations of jealousy
  • shakespeare introduces the idea of jealousy as a monster, which eats up the 'meat' of the person who experiences it.
  • the word 'feeds' suggests the idea that jealousy is a consuming force
  • the word 'mock' reminds the audience of iago's habit of taking pleasure in other characters misfortune. Connecting him to the 'monster', making him a personification of jealousy
• "i know my price, i am no worth no worse a place" (A1S2L11)

  • highlights how iago feels superior to cassio
  • the idea that cassio got the job and he didn't leaves iago feeling angry towards cassio, and feels the need to get revenge
  • due to cassio's promotion instead of his, his sense of superiority is undermined
  • he tries to regain his dominance by plotting against others
• "honest iago, my desdemona i must leave to thee" (A1S3L294)

  • this highlights how at the beginning of the play othello feels no sense of jealousy or threat from any of the other men
  • emphasises his trust in desdemona as he leaves her to iago on a ship full of men
  • however the by referring to her as 'my desdemona' could either be a term of endearment, or a way of foreshadowing the ownership othello feels over her and the idea that she belongs to him and is his property
• "but jealous souls will not be answered so. they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself" (A3S4L157)

  • emilia attempts to explain to desdemona the irrational nature of jealousy
• "they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself" (A3S4L157)

  • emilia attempts to explain to desdemona the irrational nature of jealousy
  • jealous individuals may give reasoning, jealousy has no cause but itself, therefore, jealous people are inherently jealous
  • emilia recalls iago's image of the 'monster' and also recalls the ancient symbol of ouroboros which shows a snake swallowing its own tail
  • this emphasises how jealousy is a never ending circle, and those who are jealous are stuck in a self-perpetuating loop
• "nothing can or shall content my soul until i'm even with him wife for wife" (A2S1L289)

  • reveals one of the reasons he dislikes othello so much is because he thinks he slept with his wife
  • highlights how iago's dark intentions towards othello and his relationship is fuelled by his own jealousy and anger
  • the soliloquy shows his deep desire for revenge
  • word choice of 'wife for wife' confirms to the audience that his plan will include desdemona
• "a fellow almost damned in a fair wife that never set squadron on the field" (A1S1L21)

  • here iago conveys his anger and jealousy towards cassio by insulting him using sexist language
  • he states that cassio is so weak he could be beaten by a women
• "i will chop her into messes" (A4S1L194)

  • emphasises the grotesque intensity of the anger his jealousy has created
  • the verb 'chop' has connotations of a painful action carried out of a sense of anger with the intent to hurt
  • begins shows to the audience the tragic consequences of unchecked jealousy