In the play, Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago is the perfect villain. Because Iago is such a complex character, making you love him because he is so devious and smart, but hate him at the same time because he’s ruining the lives of his “friends”. Not only is Iago a narcissist, he has no respect and is incapable of genuine love and compassion. His motives are solely pleasure. Iago uses cognitive dissonance when justifying his actions. Iago is a Psychopath and a Sociopath and also very smart, which makes him such a good villain.
Iago starts off with jealousy being his MO. Iago originally just wanted to get Cassio removed from being the lieutenant. Iago wants to be lieutenant and he is enraged and jealous that his best friend, Othello, gave …show more content…
Iago claims in the book that the Moor has wronged him, “I hate the Moor and it is thought abroad that ‘twix my sheets has done my office I know not if’t be true; yet I fore mere suspicion in that kind will do it for surety” (I. iii. 378-382). However we see from his actions afterwards, that he does not truly believe this. Iago does not love his wife, whom he refers to as his “office”; revenge is not his motive. His actions are simply for pleasure. This is known as a psychopath.
Michael Tomkins E.D., a psychiatrist, talks about the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath “A psychopath doesn’t have a conscience. If he lies to you so he can steal your money, he won’t feel any moral qualms, though he may pretend to. He may observe others and then act the way they do so he’s not “found out,” however he says, “A sociopath typically has a conscience, but it’s weak. He may know that taking your money is wrong, and he might feel some guilt or remorse, but that won’t stop his behavior.” …show more content…
However, if you were to look closely at his “love” it can be argued that he only loves them because they work so perfectly for his plan. At the end of Act 2 scene 1 Iago says, “Cassio loves her… I do love her too…” (II. i. 308-313. Othello) he later says in that same speech, “Not out of absolute lust… but… to diet my revenge” Desdemona is the seed of Iago’s entire plan, every aspect of it needs Desdemona. It’s clear that Iago doesn’t truly love anyone or trust anyone but himself.
From what Iago says, "I am not what I am," we see his actions of deception with Othello in III. iii. Beginning with the proclamation that he is one who has "some soul," he closes with defiance. Iago feels that lying, cheating, and deceiving are now futile. He gives up everything but he shows apathy because he doesn't have remorse for his actions.
Iago is really good at finding the weaknesses in people. Shakespeare writes Othello as this perfect being, who is highly respected. His crutch, Desdemona. Iago, strategically effaces Othello by working in his weak spot (quote). When it comes to Cassio, Iago knows that he is young, immature and ignorant. He gets Cassio to fight with Roderigo making him seem like an alcoholic dirt-bag: clearly not a good look for a
Iago starts off with jealousy being his MO. Iago originally just wanted to get Cassio removed from being the lieutenant. Iago wants to be lieutenant and he is enraged and jealous that his best friend, Othello, gave …show more content…
Iago claims in the book that the Moor has wronged him, “I hate the Moor and it is thought abroad that ‘twix my sheets has done my office I know not if’t be true; yet I fore mere suspicion in that kind will do it for surety” (I. iii. 378-382). However we see from his actions afterwards, that he does not truly believe this. Iago does not love his wife, whom he refers to as his “office”; revenge is not his motive. His actions are simply for pleasure. This is known as a psychopath.
Michael Tomkins E.D., a psychiatrist, talks about the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath “A psychopath doesn’t have a conscience. If he lies to you so he can steal your money, he won’t feel any moral qualms, though he may pretend to. He may observe others and then act the way they do so he’s not “found out,” however he says, “A sociopath typically has a conscience, but it’s weak. He may know that taking your money is wrong, and he might feel some guilt or remorse, but that won’t stop his behavior.” …show more content…
However, if you were to look closely at his “love” it can be argued that he only loves them because they work so perfectly for his plan. At the end of Act 2 scene 1 Iago says, “Cassio loves her… I do love her too…” (II. i. 308-313. Othello) he later says in that same speech, “Not out of absolute lust… but… to diet my revenge” Desdemona is the seed of Iago’s entire plan, every aspect of it needs Desdemona. It’s clear that Iago doesn’t truly love anyone or trust anyone but himself.
From what Iago says, "I am not what I am," we see his actions of deception with Othello in III. iii. Beginning with the proclamation that he is one who has "some soul," he closes with defiance. Iago feels that lying, cheating, and deceiving are now futile. He gives up everything but he shows apathy because he doesn't have remorse for his actions.
Iago is really good at finding the weaknesses in people. Shakespeare writes Othello as this perfect being, who is highly respected. His crutch, Desdemona. Iago, strategically effaces Othello by working in his weak spot (quote). When it comes to Cassio, Iago knows that he is young, immature and ignorant. He gets Cassio to fight with Roderigo making him seem like an alcoholic dirt-bag: clearly not a good look for a