When I did my English Literature module, one of the works was Shakespeare’s Othello. It broke my heart. One becomes attached
to him and then wonders, why was he so naïve to be taken in by Lago?
Lago was the ensign of Othello. His deceitfulness
and destructiveness orchestrated the downfall of Othello. He tricked Othello
into believing his wife, Desdemona, was unfaithful. A sinister and
psychologically complex antagonist who specialised in sowing discord.
I felt so sorry for Othello when I got to the end.
But that’s what happens in good fiction. You believe it.
But fiction it was. Or was it?
Shakespeare drew on real life for sure. He knew the
profile of sociopaths: manipulative, liars, selfish, lacking empathy for fellow
humans, self-serving, deceitful, aggressive and untrustworthy.
We know them. They could be in the workplace, the
family, or the church. Any station of life.
Nature or nature is the big unanswered question.
If you are close to someone who exhibits such
antisocial behaviour, it would be a kindness to encourage them to seek help.
Me Thinks He’s a Sociopath
Image by https://unsplash.com/@kellysikkema
When I did my English Literature module, one of the works was Shakespeare’s Othello. It broke my heart. One becomes attached to him and then wonders, why was he so naïve to be taken in by Lago?
Lago was the ensign of Othello. His deceitfulness and destructiveness orchestrated the downfall of Othello. He tricked Othello into believing his wife, Desdemona, was unfaithful. A sinister and psychologically complex antagonist who specialised in sowing discord.
I felt so sorry for Othello when I got to the end. But that’s what happens in good fiction. You believe it.
But fiction it was. Or was it?
Shakespeare drew on real life for sure. He knew the profile of sociopaths: manipulative, liars, selfish, lacking empathy for fellow humans, self-serving, deceitful, aggressive and untrustworthy.
We know them. They could be in the workplace, the family, or the church. Any station of life.
Nature or nature is the big unanswered question.
If you are close to someone who exhibits such antisocial behaviour, it would be a kindness to encourage them to seek help.