Iago's Insecurities In Othello

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A Tragedy is a Result of one 's Insecurities A cowardly man will always find spineless reasons behind his actions that may result in a series of disastrous events. In the novel Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago demonstrates the character of an insecure man who encounters insecurities that come in the forms of jealousy, personal/sexuality, and identity. These insecurities have a key role in the development of the play and the creation of Othello’s tragedy. To theorize, Iago is a weak and insecure man that is motivated by his own insecurities and inadequacies. Initially, Iago is insecure about his lost opportunity to become lieutenant and his physical appearance, both in which Cassio has a crucial involvement. These forms of insecurities …show more content…
He is an individual that vigorously dislikes it when someone treats him unfairly. Notably, he seems to be infuriate about the rumours on how both Othello and Cassio have slept with his wife. During one of his soliloquies, he states, “For that I do suspect the lusty Moor / Hath leaped into my seat. The thought whereof / Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards” (Act II.i.220-222). The only opinion that could possibly be made from this is that Iago hates it when someone completes a wrong deed against him. Iago is a man who disrespects women, it is fair enough to say that he does not seem to care if anyone has slept with Emilia. Hence, Iago’s source of motivation comes from the fact that the moor may have done something that makes him look fragile. To continue, Iago’s personal insecurities can be broken down into sexual insecurities. Exceptionally, Iago has a weak sexual life, he is not good with women and often refers to them as sexual objects. Iago expresses his inside thoughts about women as he communicates with Desdemona, “You rise to play and go to bed to work” (Act II.i.121). This quote proves how Iago undergoes sexual insecurity, he does not view women like a normal man would. As he talks to Desdemona, his words seem to correspond to how he views his wife. Emilia must have done something so substandard to Iago that it constantly fuels him with motivation to convey his thoughts about women with no fear. Asha …show more content…
He fears the exposure of his true character and will do all he possibly can to keep people thinking of him as an honest man. At first, Iago threatens Emilia not to say another word about the handkerchief that he uses as part of the plan to destroy Othello. He tells Emilia to “Be wise and get you home.” (Act V.ii.221), Emilia rejects his declaration and shortly after, Iago draws his sword. This quote shows beyond doubt that Iago actually cares about his identity and what other people think of him as, his fear of exposure is so fierce that it drives him to kill his own wife. Moreover, there is not a single line that exists in the play which reveals Iago exposing his reality to another person. Although everyone figures out about Iago’s two-sidedness towards the end of the play, he still does not have the strength to reveal his true character or interpret why he has done such evil deeds. When Othello demands Iago for a reasoning behind his actions, Iago replies saying, “Demand me nothing; what you know, you know. / From this time forth I never will speak word” (Act V.ii.300-301). This quote proves that Iago’s insecurity of identity disallows him to speak up and give a reasonable response to Othello about his wrong doings.
Identity and reputation is what a man is known for, a wide-range of wrong decisions destroys Iago’s identity forever.
Iago is a weak and insecure man that is motivated by his own insecurities and inadequacies.

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