Is Iago a Psychopath?

Driven by an overbearing lust for evil that only a pure psychopath can have, Iago is not only one of literature’s worst villain’s, but he also is a heinous psychopath, whom possesses absolutely no capacity for human kindness or virtue. While Iago claims to be motivated by obtaining revenge of Othello and by jealousy of Michael Cassio, his actions suggest that of a diagnosis of psychopathic personality disorder, as his motivations contradict each other, and are not sufficient to constitute the level of destruction he employs. According to the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of mental disorders, an individual can be diagnosed as a psychopath if they show a minimum of five out of eight of the following symptoms: 1) deceitful, conning, and manipulative behaviors, 2) absence of psychotic and neurotic symptoms, 3) lack of remorse, 4) lack of empathy, 5) inflated and arrogant self-appraisal, 6) pathological lying, 7) need for constant stimulation, and 8) glibness and superficial charm. Throughout the play, Othello, Iago displays all of these symptoms, and therefore is a psychopath. He especially manipulates and cons others, has a grandiose self-perception, and lacks empathy and remorse. He also needs constant stimulation.

One of the criteria for psychopathology is a grandiose sense of self, which Iago certainly does have. A first glimpse of Iago’s grandiose self-perception is first seenwhen the play begins in Act 1, Scene 1. In this Act and Scene, Iago discusses his jealousy and spite for Michael Cassio with Roderigo. Cassio has been chosen over him for a promotion to lieutenant by Othello. According to Iago, Cassio is a “great arithmetician” (I.I.19), and a “bookish theoric” (I.I.25), who has “never set a squadron in the field” (I.I...

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...is no remorse in his answer. In fact, he asserts and defends his behavior. He even has the nerve to kill his wife. Iago clearly enjoys inflicting pain onto others. This is proven repeatedly, as he continues to hurt, manipulate, and use others. This is also proven when Iago says, “As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad” (IV.I.117). Iago is sadistic. He does not think twice about his actions, nor does he care about the repercussions and consequences that occur as a result. This also is a symptom of a psychopathic personality, which Iago certainly displays.

In conclusion, Iago is a psychopath because he meets all of the symptom criteria. He is an especially dangerous psychopath because he enjoys inflicting pain upon others, has no remorse or empathy, has a grandiose sense of self, is able to easily manipulate others for personal gain, and needs constant stimulation