The Neuropsychiatric Syndrome of a Psychomotor Seizure Disorder in Shakespeare's Othello, The Moor of Venice

Abstract

Many of Shakespeare's characters suffer from the myriad of medical and surgical ailments that afflict mankind. Although many of these diseases serve merely to enhance the subtle shading of character in Shakespearean drama, certain disorders seem to provide a vital focus for the basic theme and plot development of the plays. No group of disorders is more implicated by the behavior and thought patterns of Shakespeare's characters than neuropsychiatric disease. Othello, the Moor of Venice stands out as a striking example of a tragedy