o A Psychoanalysis of Iago

A PSYCHOANALYSIS OF IAGO

Iago’s conduct can be looked into through a psychoanalytic lens. This viewpoint stipulates that narcissism presupposes excessive self-esteem and selfinvolvement, and draws from emotional immaturity. The play exhibits the antagonist’s emotional immaturity34 as he endeavors to wreak havoc on Othello for overlooking him as his new lieutenant. At that stage, his exorbitant ego and arrogance are displayed.

Shakespeare initiates Iago as a self-absorbed persona through his discourse. Whether it be the ceaseless use of “I” or his unpleasant language, he is presented as one enmeshed in his own devices, as a beast of the shadows who evades from exposure, the puppet-master who has no intention of being seen for his true self.

Admittedly, he seems to be emotionally immature from the very beginning of the play, when he divulges two incongruent reasons for disliking Othello. As he is convinced to be above his entourage; he demonstrates his immoderate self-esteem for he finds no indignity in playing the judge and executioner in the Moor’s life.

In essence, the psychoanalytic lens reveals Iago’s standing as a remarkably narcissistic character who is the offspring of a fusion between selfinvolvement35 and ego. Despite starting as the manipulator, he ends up subjugated to the outcomes of the plan he engineered. In psychoanalytical terms, he can be marked as a victim of his inner turbulent emotions. At last, he takes refuge in a footling refusal to acknowledge his crimes, leaving no room for atonement.

34 A person who is emotionally immature is unable to defeat their negative feelings; they are petty and shrouded by malevolence. 35 Self-involvement taken to excess is a high degree of self-absorption or an exceptional enthusiasm for oneself.