Have you ever been called a green-eyed monster? Perhaps you have heard this phrase in passing and wondered what it means. If you want to know more about the phrase green-eyed monster and how to use it, you are in the right place. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n
The phrase green-eyed monster is meant to express jealousy. It means specifically personified jealousy in a person. Being jealous is a uniquely human emotion that can cause even the tamest of people to act out of character. The phrase means the rageful or angry reaction that is caused by jealousy and is left unchecked. Jealousy, which is attached to the phrase green-eyed monster can only be applied to emotions, not possessions.<\/strong><\/p>\n A green-eyed monster also means that a person is filled with some form of emotional rivalry. For example, two siblings caring for the same person can result in one being taken over by the green-eyed monster when that affection is unequally reciprocated. Envy, which is commonly mistaken for jealousy, can only be applied to objects or possessions, not emotions.<\/p>\n \u201cJane is such a green-eyed monster, she always has an attitude whenever someone else gets praise\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have negative thoughts when you see others happy, you may have a green-eyed monster lurking within\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is nothing more unattractive than a pretty woman who is nothing but a green-eyed monster inside.<\/p>\n \u201cIt takes a lot of time and effort to get rid of the green-eyed monster that lives within all of us\u201d.<\/p>\n The phrase green-eyed monster was first seen in 1595. The play, The Merchant of Venice, which was released in 1596 by Shakespeare was the first written account of the phrase and was used to describe jealousy in a manner that only he can. In 1604, Shakespeare then went on to use the phrase in the famed play Othello in which he referred to the green-eyed monster. In this play, the green-eyed monster was personified as jealousy and the description allowed the audience to better shape their perceptions of the idea.<\/p>\n In the play, the green-eyed monster was a sharp-fanged monster with an ugly visage. It was shown in feeding on people who had hidden feelings of jealousy. In the play, Iago warned Othello that the green-eyed monster will eat the source of those feelings.<\/p>\nExample Usage<\/h2>\n
Origin<\/h2>\n