“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”
Iago – Act 3, Scene 3
Jealousy is personified as a monster that destroys and laughs at the person it consumes.
“Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ.”
Iago – Act 3, Scene 3
Tiny hints become rock-solid evidence once jealousy has taken hold.
“But jealous souls will not be answered so; they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they are jealous.”
Emilia – Act 3, Scene 4
Emilia argues jealousy is self-generating, not based on real evidence.
“I speak not yet of proof… I would not have your free and noble nature out of self-bounty be abused.”
Iago – Act 3, Scene 3
Iago pretends reluctance to inflame Othello’s jealousy, which makes his hints more poisonous.
“No, Iago, I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; and on the proof, there is no more but this: away at once with love or jealousy.”
Othello – Act 3, Scene 3
Othello claims he needs proof before jealousy, but we watch him abandon this almost immediately.
“She’s gone. I am abused; and my relief must be to loathe her.”
Othello – Act 3, Scene 3
Jealousy flips his love into hatred even before he has any solid proof.
“Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore.”
Othello – Act 3, Scene 3
He begs for proof, but later lets jealousy override the need for real evidence.
“O curse of marriage, that we can call these delicate creatures ours, and not their appetites!”
Othello – Act 3, Scene 3
Jealousy warps his view of marriage into ownership and sexual paranoia.
“It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself.”
Iago – Act 3, Scene 4
Jealousy is described as a self-breeding monster, needing no outside cause.
“Farewell the tranquil mind; farewell content!”
Othello – Act 3, Scene 3
Othello realises jealousy has destroyed his peace of mind and inner stability.