Free Essays - Consequences of Passion in Othello :: Othello essays

Consequences of Passion in Othello Being too passionate about something or someone, can sometimes over ride one's good judgement. Too much passion can bring about ever-lasting consequences and regrets. When put into a tense, specific situation, you usually wont make wise choices. You wont stop and think, "what is going on" or "what is the right thing to do" but instead, we let our emotions take over. For instance, in the play Othello, Othello is passionately in love with his wife and when he hears a disturbing rumor about her, instead of thinking over what he heard or if it is true, he let his jealousy take over his actions. In Othello, Iago, Othello's dear truthful friend, wants to ruin Othello's life by "plaguing" his mind of depressing thoughts. He plans to tell Othello that his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him with his ex-lieutenant, Cassio. "At least jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure." (p. 79, Iago) Othello being passionately in love with Desdemona begins to believe the rumors he is told, and it breaks his heart. He is not only envious that his beloved wife would cheat on him with Cassio but that idea of her not loving him, troubled him the most. "By heaven, thou echo'st me/ As if there were some monster in thy thought/ too hideous to be shown." ( W.S, 3.3; 121) Othello's emotions begin to grow from jealously to anger. He has never been heart broken before and now all his emotions of melancholy is running through his mind. "How shall I murder him, Iago?" (p. 171, 4.1) Already Othello had sunken in everything Iago had said. Not thinking straight and letting his emotions ru n untamed, he can only think of death as a way to resolve everything. He soon pays for his jealousy rage by taking both his wife and his own life. In addition, from the play, Iago seems to let his infatuation over seek his reasoning as well. Iago is one of Othello's respectable friends. When Othello, the General, had to pick a lieutenant, he chose Cassio. Iago was furious at Othello's decision. He wanted to be lieutenant with his dear Othello, but when hearing that he chose Cassio, Iago breaks out like a beast expressing all his fury and resentment.