The Psychoanalytic Perspective in Relation to William Shakespeare's "Othello" - Iago

There are a number of perspectives that a critic can use to interpret a work of literature. One perspective, the psychological approach, deals with interpreting the text by using what is known about psychology. Some critics will try and understand the writers while, "still other critics employ methods of Freudian psychoanalysis to understand not only the writers themselves such as Shakespeare but the literary characters they create" (DiYanni, 635). In Shakespeare's play, "The Tragedy of Othello," …showed first 75 words of 1306 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1306 total…ways to purposely help himself and for a variety of other reasons that may not be seen until looking at his individual psychology. However, there is more to Iago than a mere antagonist. He is clearly unconscious of the destruction he is causing within the society of Venice and Cypress. He fails to see the whole picture of his actions, rather concentrating on individuals. It is this tactical error which leads to his inevitable downfall.