Iago and Othello Discuss Jealousy

I really liked the dialogue between Iago and Othello in Act III on page 595.  In this part of the play, Othello and Iago are discussing jealousy. On page 595 lines 166-169 Iago says, “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” This line really stuck out to me because it gives you a visual description of jealousy. Iago is a very dramatic character, and it isn’t surprising that he uses this theatrical expression to describe this trait.

Othello relates jealousy to doubt when he says on page 595 lines 179-182, “Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy, to follow still the changes of the moon with fresh suspicions? No! To be once in doubt is to be resolved.” Othello is trying to tell Iago that he isn’t a jealous man in these lines. Othello feels that he shouldn’t live life always being suspicious of others. I think that this line really shows that Othello is a trusting man. His ability to trust is his downfall. This is why he finds it so easy to trust what Iago and others tell him. He doesn’t want to go through life questioning what everyone says.

Iago goes on to warn Othello about his trusting ways in lines 199-200, “Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; wear your eyes thus: not jealous, nor secure.” In this line, Iago starts his attempt in convincing Othello that Desdemona is being unfaithful. Iago tried to tell Othello that he doesn’t have to be jealous, but he shouldn’t necessarily be trusting of Cassio and Desdemona either.

Questions:

Why do you think Iago warned Othello not to be jealous or secure?

Do you think Othello is actually jealous or secure?

Did you find any places in this play where you thought there was sexual tension between Cassio and Desdemona?