In Shakespeare’s play Othello, the character Iago is a psychopath. This can be determined by the number of characteristics he shares with those who are clinically defined as psychopaths. Firstly, Iago is extremely manipulative, finding every way possible to use and twist people to his own advantage. He is also very selfish-helping and caring only about himself. Most importantly, Iago’s aptitude for insincere speech is his main asset, as he craftily uses it in every situation. To understand why Iago is truly a psychopath, it is first necessary to look at how manipulative he is. Iago’s use of manipulation is apparent throughout the play to the audience; but because of excessive planning and plotting he is able to hide it from the other characters.
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Selfishness is a character trait shared by other characters in the play , but can even come close to the selfishness that Iago holds. One of the first indicators is that Iago, who made an elaborate plot to ruin Othello’s life, has never shown a true motive. Although having excuses, Iago never specifies a motive for his “monstrous plan” and the further he goes , the more it seems that Iago is doing this for his own pleasure. When he is finally able to convince Othello that Cassio and Desdemona have had an affair, Othello is so shocked he falls to the ground. Iago proud of his lies and how well Othello is reacting to them, is happy and wants his “...medicine...”(4.1.44) to “work on “(4.1.43). This shows that even though Iago has already done so much, he can never be satisfied with other people 's misery and is always craving more. He completely destroys Othello’s character because he relishes in being evil and does not care how many people he harms in the process due to his selfish behaviour. Iago is also very good at recognising when people can be beneficial to him and how he can use them for his own advantage. When Iago tries to explain to Roderigo why he must pretend to follow Othello, Roderigo doesn’t really understand. Iago does not think like everyone, he is a psychopath and unable to really understand how to form proper relationships with people, his focus is only himself . …show more content…
His insincere ‘sincerity’ and his ability to cleverly hide the truth some of his of his main assets that eventually lead to the success of his plan. He is not only is able to make everyone like him, but his lies lead others to believe that he is noble and honest. Iago, after conjuring up his plan, knows that to convince Othello he must take baby steps and start with smaller lies, until Othello blindly follows him. He even compares himself with the devil(s) and knows that when they try to convince people to do the “blackest sins” (2.3. 322), “they do suggest at first with heavenly shows” (2.3.323). Unlike most people who try to copy good role models, Iago is very well on the way to becoming a devil himself. His knack for making up lies and feeling no remorse is evidence that Iago is a psychopath who does not have a conscience. Iago’s insincerity exceeds his harmful lies and clever deceit of almost all the characters , including his many faces, leaves the audience wondering if he even knew who he really was. From the very beginning, it is obvious that Iago should not be trusted, from the time he was causing trouble for Othello and Desdemona with Brabantio, acting too chummy with Roderigo and hiding his true motives for everything from everyone. Iago will never be able to truly present himself to anyone for even he knows that he “... is not what he
Selfishness is a character trait shared by other characters in the play , but can even come close to the selfishness that Iago holds. One of the first indicators is that Iago, who made an elaborate plot to ruin Othello’s life, has never shown a true motive. Although having excuses, Iago never specifies a motive for his “monstrous plan” and the further he goes , the more it seems that Iago is doing this for his own pleasure. When he is finally able to convince Othello that Cassio and Desdemona have had an affair, Othello is so shocked he falls to the ground. Iago proud of his lies and how well Othello is reacting to them, is happy and wants his “...medicine...”(4.1.44) to “work on “(4.1.43). This shows that even though Iago has already done so much, he can never be satisfied with other people 's misery and is always craving more. He completely destroys Othello’s character because he relishes in being evil and does not care how many people he harms in the process due to his selfish behaviour. Iago is also very good at recognising when people can be beneficial to him and how he can use them for his own advantage. When Iago tries to explain to Roderigo why he must pretend to follow Othello, Roderigo doesn’t really understand. Iago does not think like everyone, he is a psychopath and unable to really understand how to form proper relationships with people, his focus is only himself . …show more content…
His insincere ‘sincerity’ and his ability to cleverly hide the truth some of his of his main assets that eventually lead to the success of his plan. He is not only is able to make everyone like him, but his lies lead others to believe that he is noble and honest. Iago, after conjuring up his plan, knows that to convince Othello he must take baby steps and start with smaller lies, until Othello blindly follows him. He even compares himself with the devil(s) and knows that when they try to convince people to do the “blackest sins” (2.3. 322), “they do suggest at first with heavenly shows” (2.3.323). Unlike most people who try to copy good role models, Iago is very well on the way to becoming a devil himself. His knack for making up lies and feeling no remorse is evidence that Iago is a psychopath who does not have a conscience. Iago’s insincerity exceeds his harmful lies and clever deceit of almost all the characters , including his many faces, leaves the audience wondering if he even knew who he really was. From the very beginning, it is obvious that Iago should not be trusted, from the time he was causing trouble for Othello and Desdemona with Brabantio, acting too chummy with Roderigo and hiding his true motives for everything from everyone. Iago will never be able to truly present himself to anyone for even he knows that he “... is not what he