Stories About Jealousy



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Jealousy appears in many forms, shaping the decisions of characters in these timeless tales and ultimately leading to valuable lessons. This collection of stories explores jealousy in family relationships, rivalries among mythical beings, and the pitfalls of envy.

Family Conflicts and Betrayal
In Binnorie, two sisters become entangled in jealousy over a knight’s love, leading to a tragic betrayal that is later revealed through a harp crafted from the youngest sister’s remains. Othello shows how jealousy, manipulated by Iago, drives Othello to destroy his own happiness and that of his beloved. In King Lear, the king’s demand for flattery leads to his own downfall, as two of his daughters betray him while the disowned Cordelia remains loyal. The Rose-Tree reveals the dark side of envy in a household, where a stepmother’s jealousy results in her stepdaughter’s murder, only to be uncovered by a bird born from a rose tree. Snow White similarly depicts a stepmother’s envy that pushes her to extremes to eliminate her rival, but the princess is ultimately saved by a prince’s love.

Mythical Jealousy and Rivalries

Hyacinthus tells of Zephyrus’s jealousy toward Apollo’s friendship with Hyacinthus, which tragically ends when a gust of wind causes the young prince’s death. The Laidly Worm Of Spindleston Heugh centers on a jealous stepmother who transforms the king’s daughter into a dragon. The curse is broken by her brother, who returns to free her. The Twins with the Golden Stars follows two brothers wronged by a jealous empress, but who ultimately reclaim their place and uncover the empress’s plots. In Cupid and Psyche, Psyche’s beauty incites the goddess Aphrodite’s jealousy, leading her through trials that eventually earn her a place among the gods. The Fairy Queen’s Jewels explores envy in the magical realm, where a plot to steal fairies’ jewels reveals that true beauty is fleeting and hidden.

Envy and Lessons in the Animal Kingdom

The Crow and the Raven illustrates a crow’s desire for fame, which goes unmet due to her mistaken approach. The Peacock details how the peacock’s beautiful feathers come with limitations, grounding him while other birds soar. In The Monkey And The Camel, a camel envies a monkey’s skill, but his attempt to impress leads to embarrassment. The Ass and the Lapdog shows how envy can disrupt balance when a hardworking ass seeks affection like a pet, only to learn the value of his own role. Finally, The Raven and the Swan warns against changing oneself out of envy, as a raven’s misguided attempt to gain beauty leads to his demise.

Fairy Tales of Rivalry and Redemption
In Vasilisa The Beauty, a girl’s magical doll helps her escape her envious stepmother and stepsisters, leading her to a happy life and marriage. The One-handed Girl follows a sister wronged by her brother, ultimately revealing her identity and finding happiness. Princess Rosette sees Rosette overcoming her governess’s plot to replace her, proving her worth to the King of the Peacocks. In Cinderella, a magical bird aids Cinderella as she escapes mistreatment by her jealous family, leading to her marriage to the prince.

These tales reflect how envy influences decisions and outcomes, offering perspectives on jealousy’s effects in the human, animal, and mythical realms.