Psychological study of Iago’s Hypocrisy in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello

ABSTRACT

Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello is one of well-known plays. The play becomes more remarkable when Iago’s anger to Othello began. Iago has planning to deceive and manipulate Othello. It shows the characteristics of hypocrite. For that reason, the researcher would like to analyze Iago’s hypocrisy by using psychological approach and will be supported by Sukanto’s Nafsio- Analytic Theory (Islamic viewpoint). This is the uniqueness of this study. Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello is not an Islamic literary work but the researcher would like to analyze it from Islamic viewpoint.

In addition, this study is to learn hypocrisy as one of human’s personality based on Al-Qur’an and to find something advisable within the play that makes us (as a Moslem) better. The researcher looks forward to applying Islamic thought in any aspects to motivate other people doing the same and be proud of being Moslem because of having the best reference that is Al-Qur’an.

Furthermore, the researcher analyzes Iago’s hypocrisy that covers Iago’s acts showing hypocrisy, the causes of Iago’s hypocrisy and the effects of Iago’s hypocrisy to his surroundings and himself. Thus, psychological approach is applied by the researcher on Iago’s psychological aspect and viewed from Sukanto’s Nafsio-Analytic Theory.

As the first result, there are several acts of Iago’s hypocrisy which are divided into four parts; (1) Iago manipulates Roderigo’s desire to Desdemona, (2) Iago manipulates Cassio’s desire to be reinstated, (3) Iago manipulates Emilia’s desire to him, and (4) Iago manipulates Othello’s pride. These incredibly prove Iago’s hypocrisy. Then, as the second result, Iago begins being hypocrite since he is angry at Othello for having passed him over for the position of lieutenant and supposes Othello may have slept with his wife. Both are the causes of Iago’s hypocrisy. After that, Iago’s hypocrisy creates many effects that are not only to surrounding people but also to him. These are (1) Roderigo’s money is embezzled and he is murdered, (2) Cassio’s reputation is lost, (3) Emilia is murdered, (4) Othello’s reputation as precious soldier in Venetian government is lost since all people know he had murdered Desdemona by his irrational resentment and finally he commits suicide. Besides, there are the effects of Iago’s hypocrisy to himself. Iago suffers nafsio-hypocrisy which creates another nafsio-parasite (nafs disease) that is namiimah (slander). He is worst human since he never gives usefulness in his life even destroys others’ life. However, he never reaches his position and he must responsible pay for his acts.