Psychology in Othello

     Psychology can be found frequently throughout Othello. One way psychology can be seen in Othello is through the psychopathological condition called morbid jealousy. Morbid jealousy is when a person believes their significant other is cheating on them, without any real proof to back it up. Delusions and obsessions are also often associated with morbid jealousy. It is clear that Othello suffers from morbid jealousy. This is so obvious because Othello fits all the conditions: he believes Desdemona is cheating with no real proof just because Iago tells him it is the case, Othello is delusional about his belief that Desdemona is cheating on him because there is nothing actually showing him that she did, and he obsesses over the fact that his wife is unfaithful. Morbid jealousy is one way in which psychology is seen throughout Othello.

     A second way psychology can be found in Othello is through the form of reverse psychology. Reverse psychology is the method of getting someone to do what you want by pretending to want the opposite, or something else. Iago often uses this method on Othello. Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him by saying the opposite, which in turn, leads Othello to belief that his wife is unfaithful. The more Iago uses this technique, the more Othello believes the opposite of what Iago is telling him. Reverse psychology is a second way psychology can be found throughout Othello.