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