Iago As A Psychopath In Othello

In William Shakespeare’s play “Othello”, the villain Iago displays manipulative and self-absorbing personality traits, classifying him as a psychopath. Throughout the play, Iago was consistently using people for his benefit and he managed to disguise himself as an honest character. Shakespeare depicts him as a malicious character, and takes advantage of his reputation to plot revenge to whom he believes to have wronged him. His psychopathic traits such as pathological lying, lack of remorse or guilt, shallow affect, parasitic lifestyle, poor behavioural controls, impulsivity, and criminal versatility proves that Iago is, indeed, a psychopath.
Iago can be seen as manipulative and cunning which is one of many aspects of a psychopath. In

the play, he successfully controlled many characters to his advantage. Iago said, “But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor,/ And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets/ He has done my office. I know not if ’t be true,/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,/ Will do as if for surety.” (I.iii.429-433) This quote depicts his hatred towards, the Moor, Othello. Previously, Iago displayed different reasons why he wanted to demolish Othello: Cassio is given the job of lieutenant from Othello, Iago believes Othello slept with his wife, and Iago loves Desdemona. The climax of the play was when Iago influenced Othello to believe that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. Iago said, “ Ay, there’s the point. As, to be bold with you,/ Not to affect many proposèd matches/ Of her own clime, completion, and degree,/ Where to we see in all things nature tends…” (234-244) This quote explains why would Desdemona, a beautiful woman, fall in love with Othello who is black? Successfully, he manoeuvres Othello that Desdemona will snap back to her natural taste in men one day and compare Othello unfavourably to other men in Venice. Iago can be seen as charming and honest, but many psychopaths tend to lie to benefit themselves.
In the final act, Iago doesn’t show any remorse for his actions which is a clear indication that he is a psychopath. Othello murders Desdemona, and he was confronted by Emilia who proves that she was innocent. When Montano, Gratiano, and Iago enter, Emilia confronts Iago for lying and manipulating Othello. “(to IAGO) Disprove this villain, if thou best a man./ He says thou told’st him that his wife was false./ I know thou didst not, thou’rt not such a villain. Speak, for my heart is full./ I told him what I thought, and told no more/ Than what he found himself was apt and true./ But did you ever tell him she was false?/ I did./ You told a lie, an odious, damnèd lie/ …/ With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue.” (V.ii.184-195) The conversation between Emilia and Iago depicts that Iago doesn’t feel any sorrow and guilt for lying. He instead tells his wife, Emilia, to silence and go home. However, Emilia refused to go home and accused Iago for Desdemona’s death. He then drew his sword and murdered his wife for exposing his plan accusing Desdemona. Iago’s last quote in the play was when he was captured. “Demand me nothing. What you know, you know./ From this time I never will speak word.” (316-317) This quote illustrates that he doesn’t feel apologetic for Roderigo, Othello, Desdemona, and Emilia’s deaths. Most psychopaths don’t feel any contrition or repentance when it comes to their fault. Iago is a perfect example of a psychopath, because he did not show any actions or words to justify his crimes.
When readers encounter Iago in the play, they seem to be shocked or speechless by his morals and actions.

Iago’s personality traits are components of a psychopath; A psychopath possesses superficial charm, unreliability, untruthfulness, lack of remorse or shame, antisocial behaviour, poor judgment, incapacity to love, and specific loss of insight. In the article “Psychopaths know right from wrong, but don’t care” written by Maaike Cima, Franca Tonnaer, and Marc D. Hauser describes a psychopath. “Adult psychopaths have deficits in emotional processing and inhibitory control, engage in morally inappropriate behaviour, and generally fail to distinguish moral from conventional violations. These observations, together with a dominant tradition in the discipline which sees emotional processes as causally necessary for moral judgment, have led to the conclusion that psychopaths lack an understanding of moral rights and wrongs.”(Maaike Cima, Franca Tonnaer, and Marc D. Hauser) This article depicts that psychopaths have poor control over their feelings, and they will never admit their wrongdoings. These characteristics, perfectly describe Iago in the play “Othello”. Throughout the play Iago’s behaviour has been consistently manipulative, persuasive, and two-faced. All characters believed his words because of his good reputation and humbleness. He successfully used Roderigo to be his wallet, stripped Cassio from his lieutenant position, and controlled Othello to make him believe

that Desdemona was having an affair. The constant lies and manipulation concludes that Iago was a psychopath.
Iago can be seen as a proud, self-absorbing character in the play.

Iago, always, seems to be proud of his good reputation and self value. In the article “Iago the Psychopath” written by Fred West, depicts and analyses Iago’s behaviour and personality. “Like the psychopath described by Cleckley, Iago is impulsive, but he sees nothing wrong with his behaviour, no matter how erratic or antisocial; therefore, he doesn't bother to find or invent excuses unless prodded. The very first lines of Othello contain just such prodding on the part of Roderigo, Iago’s gull…” (West.30) West argues that Iago sees no wrong doings to his actions. Iago can be seen to be using his best friend Roderigo for his wealth, and he, successfully, convinces him that sending gifts to Desdemona will win her heart. However, Iago stole all the gifts that were supposed to be delivered to Desdemona, and makes Roderigo believe that killing Cassio will eliminate all obstacles between Roderigo and Desdemona’s love. When Roderigo realises Iago’s plan, Iago stabs him and kills him. This is one of many examples that Iago easily uses people for his own good and finishes them off if they are no use. West also cites “As a psychopath, he has no real insight into his own true nature, hence it would never occur to him to inquire if he were evil or malignant. Also, he projects his own views and shallowness of affect upon other, so he has no reason for making an unfavourable evolution of himself against anyone else.

Only in matters of intelligence does he see any difference: he considers himself more complex and more intelligent than anyone around him ” (30) West infers that Iago doesn’t seem to be understood by others but himself. He only cares for his fortune and would pursue his goals, even if it’s destroying others around him. Psychopaths possess little or no remorse for the consequences of their behaviour.
Generally, Psychopaths do not feel any empathy for others, but intelligent psychopaths appear charismatic and empathetic, although it is an act. They are far less sensitive in aspects of fear, distress, or disgust. Psychopaths tend to do certain actions as children, such as bed-wetting, animal abuse, or fire-starting. It has been estimated that around 1% of the male population are psychopathic; Studies show that there are far fewer female psychopaths. Around 15 to 25% of people in prison in the United States are considered psychopathic. It has been estimated that around 25% of bullying are due to the 1% of people who are maniacs. Psychopaths continue to manipulate psychologists and cell mates in prison. Psychopathy is known to be intractable and untreatable. They do exceptionally well in business and networking. Many people who are psychopathic are very successful in life, however they have poor long-term and trusting relationships. More characteristics include: easily bored, callous use of lies, cunning image management, no conscience, arrogant, and a high need for control.
Iago’s traits in the play can be seen as cruel or inhumane, but some may argue that he is a sociopath, not a psychopath. Sociopaths are people who do not follow society’s norms and often break the law. It is characteristic of people with this diagnosis to be entirely careless about other peoples feelings and pain. Symptoms include: persistent lying or deceit to exploit others, intense egocentrism, hostility, poor or abusive relationships, and more. People can argue that unlike a psychopath, Iago has more sociopathic characteristics such as his intense egocentrism and sense of superiority. Iago said, “I know my pride” and “I am worth no worse a place” proving that he values himself highly. Some can see this and say that Iago was, indeed, a sociopath. However, any crimes committed by a sociopath, including murder, will tend to be haphazard, and spontaneous rather than planned. Iago’s plan was all very calculated throughout the play, and he did not make any careless mistakes to spoil his plans.