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Chapter 8 - Othello
from Part II - Thought Experiments and the Power of Context
Fathali M. Moghaddam, Georgetown University, Washington DC
Book:

Shakespeare and the Experimental Psychologist

Published online:

10 June 2021

Print publication:

10 June 2021, pp 118-130
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Summary

Iago serves as an experimenter, setting up a powerful context in which Othello is positioned to behave as a “jealous husband.” Othello has certain characteristics that made him especially susceptible to Iago’s manipulations, including his chosen lieutenant’s flirtatiousness and weakness for alcohol. However, the more important factor shaping behavior is the context set up by Iago, within the militaristic context of an island (Cyprus) facing an invasion. Iago first schemes to get Othello to dismiss Cassio as his lieutenant. Next, he persuades Cassio to get Othello’s wife, Desdemona, to plead for his reinstatement. At the same time, her persuades Othello that Desdemona is sexually pursuing Cassio. The more Desdemona pleads for Cassio to be reinstated, the more she damns herself in Othello’s eyes. The power of this trap is too much for Othello, who falls victim to it – as would most other individuals in this context, as demonstrated by psychological research.