Characters and Individual Self Knowledge

Othello- Throughout the play Othello proves that he is self centered and that he lacks self-knowledge because he is overcome by jealousy which makes him lose sight of what he is thinking and what is really happening around him. His jealousy makes him blind and that makes him easy prey for Iago to Manipulate. Othello is so blinded by jealousy he cannot balance emotion with logic and is stubborn because once he hears the lies that Iago told him, not even his wife Desdemona can convince him otherwise. Also once he is told the lies he keeps telling himself a thousand times that his wife committed the “act of shame” and convinces himself so instead of telling himself she was innocent and trusting that she is honest towards him.  So in conclusion Othello’s lack of self-knowledge and sense of reason ultimately sets him up for his own demise.

Iago- Iago is just like Othello in the sense of self knowledge, he lost his job because of Othello and he does not rest until he gets his revenge on him not considering consequence. You could say I ago is self-absorbed because he cannot stop thinking of himself and always reminds others of his qualities and how he is “honest ago”.

Desdemona-Desdemona is one of the plays characters who has self-awareness/ knowledge,  she is smart and can tell when something troubles her husband and can see that he is mad at her for a reason she is not sure of. Even when she is being killed she keeps fairly calm considering she is being killed knowing that she is innocent she does not regret anything.

Application from Novel to Theme

-        -  Applies to the characters of Othello, Desdamona and Iago.

-         - We learn how the characters have a minimum of understanding of one’s self and  how characters thrive on self-knowledge.

-          -We see Othello not as great man but rather as a very flawed individual who happens to be an outstanding warrior.  Self-delusion is at the core of his character. 

-          -In the character of Iago we see him as being a irrational, obsessive, compulsive, reckless, and someone who thrives on danger and excitement.

-          -The character of Desdamona is an example of a character who thrives on self-awareness

-          -The novel shows the results of a male-dominated society where vanity, ego and appearance dominate rational and logical considerations and where women are treated as property and second-class citizens.

Self-knowledge Quotes

For  when  my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of  my heart
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear  my heart  up on  my sleeve
For  daws to peck at: I am not what I am.
(I.i.62-66)

His soul is so enfetter'd to her love

That she  may make,  unmake, do what she list,

Even as her appetite shall play the god

With his weak function.

(II.iii.334-37)

No, when light-wing'd toys

Of feather'd Cupid seel with wanton dullness
My speculative and offic'd instruments,
That my disports corrupt and taint  my business,
Let huswives  make a skillet of  my helm,
And all indign and base adversities
Make head against  my estimation!
(I.iii.268—74)

No, let me know;

And knowing what I  am, I  know what she shall be.

(IV.i.72-73)

Misrepresentation within Othello

This also allows Iago to gain trust and manipulate other people; misrepresentation means that Iago is able to appear to be "honest," in order to deceive and misdirect people. Othello also misrepresents himself, as being simple and plain-spoken; this is not for deceptive effect, but also is used to present an image of himself which is not exactly the truth.

Othello's Lack of Self-knowledge

Othello's self knowledge and lack of self knowledge makes him easy prey for Iago. Once Iago inflames Othello's jealousy And gets the darker aspects of Othello's nature into action, there is nothing Othello can do to stop it. Since he cannot even admit that he has these darker side and traits.

 

A Closer Look Into Othello

This lack of self-knowledge is manifest in at least two particulars: (1) his overly optimistic and unrealistic assessment of his feelings at any one moment and (2) his ability to see deeply into the abyss of despair without, however, having any apparent tools or means to break his fall should he stumble (or leap) into it.

His overly optimistic assessment of his feelings can be seen both in his proclamation that landing on Cyprus gives him "too much of joy (2.1.197)," and his quick recovery from the abyss of emotional desolation when Iago warns him to beware of jealousy and his wife's cuckoldry (3.3.177ff). In the former he has described life in too wonderful terms, almost like the Evangelical Christian who wanted God to "stay his hand" from him lest the sense of God's presence and goodness be so powerful that he be overwhelmed and obliterated.