The Green Eyed Monster-Jealousy
Written by Winta Weldeyesus
Friday, 05 November 2010 07:20
In Shakespeare's Othello, the protagonist elopes with Desdemona, and is accused of stealing
her. Blinded by prejudice, Desdemona’s father cannot believe his daughter could love the Moor,
a man of a different race. However, Othello movingly defends his love and demonstrates the
nobility of his character.
Iago was a treacherous comrade. Angered that Cassio was appointed as Othello’s lieutenant, a post he wanted, Iago plots his revenge. He warns Othello
that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. Brilliantly manipulating Othello’s jealousy and
rising anger. Iago has his wife Emilia, who is Desdemona’s serving maid , steal a handkerchief
that Othello gave his bride at their wedding. Iago plants the handkerchief on Cassio. Convinced
of Desdemona’s infidelity, Othello strangles his beloved wife in their marriage bed. Emilia then
proves Iago’s guilt and Desdemona’s innocence to Othello. Othello stabs Iago, who is under
arrest, but fails to kill him and commits suicide.
Othello was not the only one who commits murder in a fit of jealous rage. Jealousy has ruined
many relationships and broken countless friendships. Every one of us envies our friends,
spouses or siblings, compelling us to do things that we could not explain later. Harboring
suspicions and doubts about our beloved ones make us do things that we regret very much
later on.
A friend once told me that her best friend is jealous of her and her reasons were "Whenever I do
something she never approves it. She does not even approve of a new outfit that I just bought
with her”. And when I try to point out other plausible reasons for her best friend’s reactions, she
would say “No! She is simply jealous of me.” Moreover, I would say how any one could
conclude that his or her best friend is jealous of her/him, when they have many things in
common and have passed through many good and bad times. Not only among friends but also take the example of spouses that have been together for three
years. The moment that he sees her laughing and talking with another man or him with another
woman, then the trust and faith that have kept them going for the last three years will blow
away like a house built on a sand. These kinds of petty jealousies and fights only prevent us
from looking beyond the surface and construct a meaningful and lasting bond with our friends or
spouses.
Let us see another incident that I encountered some months ago: there is a guy that checks his
1/2
The Green Eyed Monster-Jealousy
Written by Winta Weldeyesus
Friday, 05 November 2010 07:20
girlfriend call history and contact list on her mobile phone every day to see whether she calls
anther person, to be specific any man beside him, or adds a new contact to her list. He did this
every time they met, even if it means twice a day: not only that, but when it comes to him, he
would not even let her touch his cell phone. And God forbid if she has to use his cell phone, first
he would dial the number himself and she has to have the conversation in front of him and once
it is over, he will snatch the phone out of her hand before she has the chance to push the end
call button.
He is indeed a jealous boyfriend but why would he act like this when he has the love of his life in
his hands?
According to experts, jealousy is the expression of two emotions fear and anger. One becomes
jealous of another one due to the fear that the person is going to abandon them and they will be
alone. The second emotion that causes jealousy is anger; people who cannot have what they
want or a person angry with a certain individual for taking what belong to them and moves on,
the anger lead to jealousy. Those two emotions are the core causes of jealousy.
And if those the two feelings are the emotions that drive people to the green-eyed monster, then
my friend’s claim is not related to jealousy where as the guy’s issue is pure jealousy because
he is afraid that his girl-friend may leave him .
Professionals also suggest some tips for avoiding jealousy once the issue is identified as a
jealousy 1. Acknowledge the emotions you are experiencing – is your jealousy more of fear or anger
once you identify those emotions it will be easy to deal with it.
2. Communicate with your emotions and while you are trying to express your feelings,
emphasize more on I than You.
3. Identify your jealousy, why are you jealous? What is making you jealous? And once those
questions are answered, you can move towards positive thinking.
4. Change false beliefs that may cause jealousy.
5. Compare yourself with yourself not with others.
Let us overcome our envy through the aforementioned tips before we do something we regret
blinded by the rage of jealousy and lose our beloved one like Othello. After all there is nothing
good that comes out jealousy and that is why Shakespeare on his play said, “O, beware, my
lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster. That cuckold lives in bliss who, certain of his fate,
loves not his wronger; But O, what damned minutes tells he o'er who dotes, yet
doubts--suspects, yet strongly loves!”
2/2