Othello

Othello

1. Identity

   • Loss of identity
     • Iago and Othello both lost their true identity from being so obsessed with being 'perfect'
       • Othello didn't accept who he was
       • Iago was too insecure to recognize that his mother loved him as much as she did Othello
   • Low self-esteem
     • Iago's insecurities were fueled by his low self-esteem
       • Resulted in him victimizing Othello
     • Othello's self-esteem was destroyed when he began to believe he didn't belong and wasn't wanted
       • Led to his self-destructive behaviours

2. Recontextualised in a single mother family setting with two sons.

   • Desdemona is the single mother, with Iago as her first son and Othello as her second, adopted son

3. Psychodynamics

   • Personality Disorders
     • Paranoid
       • Othello is often suspicious of others
         • Believes family is untrustworthy and unfaithful
           • Outburst of anger in response to perceived deception
             • "Twas I that killed her"
     • Avoidant
       • Iago is extremely sensitive to criticism and rejection
         • Low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy
           • Has difficulty forming relationships with people outside of immediate family
     • Borderline
       • Othello experiences a pervasive pattern of unstable interpersonal relationships
         • Difficulties with moods and self-image
           • Directs anger in the physical form towards Iago, but also engages in self-destructive behaviours such as his destructive sexual behaviours (excessive sexuality)
             • Poor self esteem leads to relationships swapping between idealizing other people and undervaluing them.
   • Emotional Abuse
     • Self-blame
       • Desdemona blames herself for Othello's feelings of alienation and inadequacy
     • Psychological Manipulation
       • Iago manipulates Othello to believe that Desdemona does not love him as much as himself
         • "O beware, my lord, of jealousy"
     • Power and Control
       • Iago attempts to control or dominate Othello
         • Driven by fear or anxiety of being second best to Desdemona
         • "Shall I deny you? No, my lord…I am obedient"

4. Techniques

   • Tone
     • Paranoid & Cynical
       • Iago speaks to and of Othello in this way
         • Othello evolves this tone also in his attempt to conform
         • "I hate the Moor"
         • "Though I do hate him as I do hell’s pains"
   • Irony
     • "Honest Iago"
       • Othello states this even though Iago isn't free of deceit
     • "Brave Othello"