"I am not what I am" : Iago's Self Doubt and Uncertainty

A detailed Summary of "I am not what I am" : Iago's Self Doubt and Uncertainty

One of the most interesting characters and facets of Othello is its villain, Iago.

Throughout the play, Iago makes himself out to be a very assured and controlled

man. Yet, in reality, not only is he unsure of himself but he does not have much

self-esteem either. He is, in fact, one of the only players in this play who is truly

jealous. His self doubt and need to boost his ego is what leads him to create

jealousy in others in order to not only bring about their downfall but his as well.

This paper will focus on Iago's uncertainty about himself and how it develops

throughout the play, bringing about his downfall.

Iago can be considered one of the most interesting characters in this play

because he is such a contradiction. Iago has always been known as an honest

person. Othello trusts him completely and admits that, "A man he is of honesty"

(1.3.283). There are also countless times in the play that Iago is referred to as

"honest Iago" (1.3.293). If one looks in the Oxford English Dictionary under the

word "honest," the most fitting meaning when characters speak of Iago in this play

is in early use in a wide sense: "Of good moral character; virtuous, upright,

well-disposed" (OED, 3a). Everyone in the pl

move on his part. By claiming himself as honest, Iago quells any doubt that

a devil and practices deviltry in his plot. According to Freud, slips can occur

even though he has attempted numerous times to convince himself that he is right

poison, Iago, this night. I'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty

Othello's possessiveness of his wife, but also because he believes it is in Othello's

(36). Perhaps Iago is tired of keeping up with his charade, perhaps he is so unsure

From the beginning of this play, Iago seems to be such a cunning and

dubiousness but are quickly pushed aside. When Iago first speaks of his

Approximate Word count = 2781
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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