Memorandum To: Junius Paul Wright III From:Callie Hartsell, Student Psychiatrist Date: October 18, 2011 Subject: The Psychopathic Behavior of Iago.
Iago, from Othello, shows clear signs of being a sociopath, this memo discusses to what extent he is a sociopath. Throughout observing Iago, he has shown three main acts of psychopathy: lack of remorse for his actions, disregard for the safety of others, and repeated acts of deceitfulness. This memo is being written so that Iago can receive the treatment needed for his condition. Lack of Remorse
Throughout observation, Iago shows no remorse for his actions. When he is speaking to Othello, convincing him of Desdemona's betrayal, Iago enrages Othello so much that he falls into a seizure. Once Othello hits the ground Iago jumps up in joy, while saying "Work on, my medicine work!" (IV. i. 44-45) Iago shows no guilt for causing Othello to be so upset, and hurt. He again shows lack of remorse when the truth of what happened to the handkerchief is being told by Cassio. Cassio explains how he found the handkerchief in his bed chamber, all the while Iago was laughing. This shows his lack of remorse, because this one lie planted by him has destroyed lives, but he does not see it that way. He sees that his plan has worked and it brings him joy. Disregard for Safety
Iago has a complete disregard for the safety of others, as he tries to complete his plan. He convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio, to help Roderigo's pursuit of Desdemona. While Roderigo and Cassio are fighting, you can hear Iago's manic laughing in the background. He is clearly enjoying watching the two fight each other. (V. i.) After all is discovered and Othello has realized the lies of Iago, Othello kills himself. As Othello stabs himself, Iago laughs. His plan has gone better than expected, with Othello killing himself. This gleefulness at the death of Othello shows that Iago did not care whether or not Othello was mortally injured in the end. Decietfulness
Throughout the entire observation, Iago was deceitful. He spends all of his time trying to convince Othello of Desdemona's betrayal with Cassio. He tells lie after lie, until Othello is convinced it is the truth. Iago makes Othello believe that Desdemona has given her handkerchief to Cassio, as a token of her love. He tells Othello that the handkerchief is hers and she can " bestow't on any man." (IV. i. 13) This conversation with Othello is what sends him over the edge with his jealousy. He believes what Iago is saying, and can not believe that Desdemona would do something like that with a token of Othello's love. This a big step forward for Iago's plan.
Iago's tendency to destroy others lives, leads to the conclusion that he should be placed in a mental institution. His anger towards others, and complete disregard for anyone needs but his own need to be treated. Iago needs treatment from a psychiatrist to find the root of all of his anger, and psychopathic behavior.
To: Junius Paul Wright III
From:Callie Hartsell, Student Psychiatrist
Date: October 18, 2011
Subject: The Psychopathic Behavior of Iago.
Iago, from Othello, shows clear signs of being a sociopath, this memo discusses to what extent he is a sociopath. Throughout observing Iago, he has shown three main acts of psychopathy: lack of remorse for his actions, disregard for the safety of others, and repeated acts of deceitfulness. This memo is being written so that Iago can receive the treatment needed for his condition.
Lack of Remorse
Throughout observation, Iago shows no remorse for his actions. When he is speaking to Othello, convincing him of Desdemona's betrayal, Iago enrages Othello so much that he falls into a seizure. Once Othello hits the ground Iago jumps up in joy, while saying "Work on, my medicine work!" (IV. i. 44-45) Iago shows no guilt for causing Othello to be so upset, and hurt. He again shows lack of remorse when the truth of what happened to the handkerchief is being told by Cassio. Cassio explains how he found the handkerchief in his bed chamber, all the while Iago was laughing. This shows his lack of remorse, because this one lie planted by him has destroyed lives, but he does not see it that way. He sees that his plan has worked and it brings him joy.
Disregard for Safety
Iago has a complete disregard for the safety of others, as he tries to complete his plan. He convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio, to help Roderigo's pursuit of Desdemona. While Roderigo and Cassio are fighting, you can hear Iago's manic laughing in the background. He is clearly enjoying watching the two fight each other. (V. i.) After all is discovered and Othello has realized the lies of Iago, Othello kills himself. As Othello stabs himself, Iago laughs. His plan has gone better than expected, with Othello killing himself. This gleefulness at the death of Othello shows that Iago did not care whether or not Othello was mortally injured in the end.
Decietfulness
Throughout the entire observation, Iago was deceitful. He spends all of his time trying to convince Othello of Desdemona's betrayal with Cassio. He tells lie after lie, until Othello is convinced it is the truth. Iago makes Othello believe that Desdemona has given her handkerchief to Cassio, as a token of her love. He tells Othello that the handkerchief is hers and she can " bestow't on any man." (IV. i. 13) This conversation with Othello is what sends him over the edge with his jealousy. He believes what Iago is saying, and can not believe that Desdemona would do something like that with a token of Othello's love. This a big step forward for Iago's plan.
Iago's tendency to destroy others lives, leads to the conclusion that he should be placed in a mental institution. His anger towards others, and complete disregard for anyone needs but his own need to be treated. Iago needs treatment from a psychiatrist to find the root of all of his anger, and psychopathic behavior.