Othello is more of an egotist that Iago. Discuss

by michael_ (student)

Most people would agree that Iago is without doubt, an egotist, by believing he should have been Othello’s lieutenant, instead of Cassio. However, Othello is much more of an egotist that Iago, as he is exceptionally proud of his achievements, and overly aware of his nobility. It is his excessive pride which results in him being so easily manipulated and jealous to the extent that he murders his wife.

Othello is first introduced in the opening dialogue between Roderigo and Iago, and we are shown an arrogant and pompous man who seems to have promoted an unsuitable man to be his deputy. Othello’s name is not used and he is referred to as the Moor. Iago describes his as “horribly stuffed with epithets of war” and “loving his own pride and purposes”. This initial characterisation of Othello gives the impression that he is egotistical and self centred, and uses war imagery to make his speech sound very sophisticated. Although through Iago’s extremely biased it is not immediately assumed that Othello is as he is described.

As the scenes unfold, it becomes increasingly evident that Othello is heading towards a fall of dynamic proportions. First, he is aware that he is a warrior of high degree, capable of wielding a sword in hand to hand combat, and equally skilful at marshalling troops and drawing lines of battle. These qualities have propelled him to the top of the military defences of Venice. It was his military expertise which gave him a noble status, and it is his boastfulness about these qualities which gives him conceit. While being informed by Iago of Brabantio’s threats, Othello says “My services which I have done the signory shall out-tongue his complaints”. Although Iago points out that Brabantio is very powerful and could have Othello dismissed, Othello is so confident in his military status that he states that his reputation can withstand anyone’s accusations, creating the impression that he believes nothing can bring him down. It appears that Othello is somewhat arrogant and egotistical, just as Iago had argued at the beginning. He also demonstrates his lofty self opinion when he states “I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege”. The importance and status given to him by men of stature have gone to his head. He begins to think of himself as a great, noble and faultless man.

In Act 3, Scene 3, Iago begins to ignite Othello’s jealousy. Iago warns him against jealousy but this only makes him more jealous. Iago puts the thought of jealousy into Othello’s mind when he says “O beware my lord of jealousy; it is the green eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on”. Othello denies that he is jealous, as he believes he is too important a person to be jealous. However, Iago has played on Othello’s insecurities and gets Othello to believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, however he does not show his jealousy, ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Although Othello seems exceptionally proud of himself and his accomplishments, there are cracks and flaws in his ego, which begin to be manipulated by Iago. Up until now, Othello’s life has been almost entirely been centred on being a warrior, and so he has a lack of self knowledge about society. Othello says “little of this great world can I speak”, showing he has very little understanding of society. Also, Othello becomes deeply insecure about his personal qualities and it is his insecurities which weaken his resolve not to doubt Desdemona. He is a black man in a white Venetian society, and is immediately cast as an outsider when he is referred to as “The Moor”. In Act 3, Scene 3 he says “I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation that chamberers have, for I am declined into the vale for years” demonstrating he is insecure of his colour, age and believes he is not a smooth talker. Othello uses his black skin as a symbol for how poorly spoken and unattractive he thinks he is. However, all of his claims are very much beside the point. His words are actually more complex and charming than words spoken by any other character in the play. Othello doubts that Desdemona could love him because of his misconception of himself being impolite, poorly spoken, and old, and because he begins to believe Desdemona cannot love him, he starts to believe her guilty of cheating. This leap is great but it is all because of his insecurities and incorrect conception of himself. It is his excessive pride in his military work, and being totally focused on being a warrior most of his life, which gives him a lack of self knowledge of love and society, resulting in him being so easily manipulated by Iago.

Othello is definitely more of an egotist that Iago. It is true that Iago is egotistical in thinking that he should have been Othello’s lieutenant rather than Cassio; however Othello is the biggest egotist of all. He is defensively proud of his achievements, and especially proud of the honourable appearance he presents. The allegations that Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio hurt his pride even more than they hurt his belief in his appearance to Desdemona and his jealousy. Othello wants to appear powerful, accomplished, and moral at every moment, and when this is denied to him, his wounded pride becomes especially powerful in leading to his downfall.