A Sociopath in the Venation Era
Sociopaths seek to dominate others and “win” at all costs. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, the character Iago demonstrates sociopathic tendencies such as manipulation of others and lack of empathy/remorse. Iago’s actions can only be explained by sociopathy; his ruthless manipulation and his lack of empathy are the key to his plan to create Othello’s downfall.
Iago clearly manipulates others in the play with wit or charm and it seems to be very effective as no one has come to recognize it. Firstly, after Desdemona confesses her innocent love to Othello in front of the gentry, Roderigo is crushed and wants to drown himself, Iago however knows that he still needs Roderigo as his pawn and his source of money. Iago begins to discuss a plan for Roderigo to follow Othello’s venture to Cyprus, but throughout this he keeps adding in randomly that he should “… go make money..” and to “… fill [his] purse with money…” (Act 1 scene 3 lines 338-345). Iago’s clear intent is to continue to use Roderigo for his money but by skillfully adding advice to get more money to the ‘plan’ he convinces Roderigo that this is for him and unless he wants to lose Desdemona to the moor, money is the required asset. This shows Iago is sociopathic, as he finds it easy to manipulate Roderigo for this money, and the ever so foolish Roderigo is convinced that Iago is a true friend and would never suspect anything of him. Secondly, Iago figures out Othello’s can only be blinded by one thing, which is jealousy, therefore he finds a way to plant the seed of suspicion in …show more content…
Iago shows very definitive traits of a sociopath, because of how he manipulates people in the play but also by his lack of remorse/empathy he has. Sociopaths always wear the mask of sanity, it is easier for them to corrupt you then for you to expose them for who they truly
Sociopaths seek to dominate others and “win” at all costs. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, the character Iago demonstrates sociopathic tendencies such as manipulation of others and lack of empathy/remorse. Iago’s actions can only be explained by sociopathy; his ruthless manipulation and his lack of empathy are the key to his plan to create Othello’s downfall.
Iago clearly manipulates others in the play with wit or charm and it seems to be very effective as no one has come to recognize it. Firstly, after Desdemona confesses her innocent love to Othello in front of the gentry, Roderigo is crushed and wants to drown himself, Iago however knows that he still needs Roderigo as his pawn and his source of money. Iago begins to discuss a plan for Roderigo to follow Othello’s venture to Cyprus, but throughout this he keeps adding in randomly that he should “… go make money..” and to “… fill [his] purse with money…” (Act 1 scene 3 lines 338-345). Iago’s clear intent is to continue to use Roderigo for his money but by skillfully adding advice to get more money to the ‘plan’ he convinces Roderigo that this is for him and unless he wants to lose Desdemona to the moor, money is the required asset. This shows Iago is sociopathic, as he finds it easy to manipulate Roderigo for this money, and the ever so foolish Roderigo is convinced that Iago is a true friend and would never suspect anything of him. Secondly, Iago figures out Othello’s can only be blinded by one thing, which is jealousy, therefore he finds a way to plant the seed of suspicion in …show more content…
Iago shows very definitive traits of a sociopath, because of how he manipulates people in the play but also by his lack of remorse/empathy he has. Sociopaths always wear the mask of sanity, it is easier for them to corrupt you then for you to expose them for who they truly