"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 controlledman. Yet, in reality, not only is he unsure of himself but he does not have muchself-esteem either. He is, in fact, one of the only players in this play who is trulyjealous. His self doubt and need to boost his ego is what leads him to createjealousy 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 developsthroughout the play, bringing about his downfall. Iago can be considered one of the most interesting characters in this playbecause he is such a contradiction. Iago has always been known as an honestperson. 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 theword "honest," the most fitting meaning when characters speak of Iago in this playis in early use in a wide sense: "Of good moral character; virtuous, upright,well-disposed" (OED, 3a). Everyone in the pl
What is so interesting about this slip in speech is that afterIago has spent so much of the play listening to people calling him honest and evencalling himself honest, he unknowingly reveals what he really is. He hasdoubts and uncertainties about himself that he is not able to admit to. It is also quite obviousfrom his speech that he is jealous. Which nowmeans that Iago has two superiors. In these asides, comments reveal a momentary uneasiness anddubiousness but are quickly pushed aside. It is the green - eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on" (3. Yet, we, as the audience, know that Iago isnot at all honest. Inkeeping with the feeling of the time, "Iago was convinced that he [Othello]remained nothing but a savage and goaded him to be just that" (Kaul, 88). Further evidenceof Iago's jealousy is present in his asides. Several times within the play Iago comments to himselfon a situation.
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