Iago: Literatures First Sociopath
In literature, Shakespeare was a man of both firsts and pushing boundaries. He brought light to themes such as young love, death, politics, jealously, and a plethora of many other topics still relevant to this day. All of Shakespeare’s works have been the subject of copious amounts of analysis. Despite him having some of the most iconic characters in literature even now, one of the most discussed and analyzed would be Iago from his classic, Othello. Thesis: In the well-known Shakespeare play, main antagonist, Iago, demonstrates mental instability with issues such as narcissistic, paranoid, and antisocial personality disorders, making him literatures first sociopath. Arguably Iago’s most defining trait was his narcissistic personality disorder. As defined by the DSM-V, symptoms of the disorder includes, but is not limited to, grandiose sense of self-importance, preoccupation is fantasies of power or limitless success, a sense of entitlement, and lack of empathy. He demonstrates this most clearly during the beginning of the play while having a discussion with Roderigo. Iago states, “I know my price; I am worth no worse a place” …show more content…
Symptoms of this are lying or conning, aggression or weapon use, and disregard of safety of self or others. The story of Othello is based almost entirely on the lies and trickery of Iago, as he used his cunning capabilities to manipulate people into doing what he wanted and getting his way. For example, he would swindle Roderigo out of his money and land by promising him that he could get Desdemona to leave Othello for him. Iago declared, “It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor – put money in thy purse” (Shakespeare I.iii. 49). Because of his constant misleading, he drove Othello and Roderigo to madness that eventually led to the death of
In literature, Shakespeare was a man of both firsts and pushing boundaries. He brought light to themes such as young love, death, politics, jealously, and a plethora of many other topics still relevant to this day. All of Shakespeare’s works have been the subject of copious amounts of analysis. Despite him having some of the most iconic characters in literature even now, one of the most discussed and analyzed would be Iago from his classic, Othello. Thesis: In the well-known Shakespeare play, main antagonist, Iago, demonstrates mental instability with issues such as narcissistic, paranoid, and antisocial personality disorders, making him literatures first sociopath. Arguably Iago’s most defining trait was his narcissistic personality disorder. As defined by the DSM-V, symptoms of the disorder includes, but is not limited to, grandiose sense of self-importance, preoccupation is fantasies of power or limitless success, a sense of entitlement, and lack of empathy. He demonstrates this most clearly during the beginning of the play while having a discussion with Roderigo. Iago states, “I know my price; I am worth no worse a place” …show more content…
Symptoms of this are lying or conning, aggression or weapon use, and disregard of safety of self or others. The story of Othello is based almost entirely on the lies and trickery of Iago, as he used his cunning capabilities to manipulate people into doing what he wanted and getting his way. For example, he would swindle Roderigo out of his money and land by promising him that he could get Desdemona to leave Othello for him. Iago declared, “It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor – put money in thy purse” (Shakespeare I.iii. 49). Because of his constant misleading, he drove Othello and Roderigo to madness that eventually led to the death of