The Importance of Reputation in Shakespeares Othello Essay

Reputation is very important to Shakespeare, and he shows that very clearly in Othello: The Moor of Venice. Iagos reputation as an honest man, Othellos reputation as a just hero, Cassios changing reputation throughout the play, and Desdemonas reputation play a key role in the outcome of the play. Throughout the play, Iago is thought to be honest and a good advisor. We often see Â…honest IagoÂ… , or in Othellos words Â…this fellows of exceeding honestyÂ… . None of the characters in the play knows what Iago is really up to, and they blindly trust him and accept his advice. Thanks to his reputation, he manipulates Othellos feelings and reasoning, destroys Cassios reputation, and also manages to get Othello to kill Desdemona.†¦show more content†¦Cassio lost Othellos trust, and this actually made it possible for Iago to try to let it look like he and Desdemona are making the beast with two backs. Cassio, -after following Iagos advice-, tries to get back his military title and Othellos trust through Desdemona, but this makes the situation even worse. Desdemona is considered a sincere, kind, -and above all-, an honest wife and woman in general. She is like a model of the perfect woman of that time. We can find proof in her honesty when she and Emilia are talking about infidelity, and Desdemonas words are Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong for the whole world. . She is very honest and sincere, and that makes her naà ¯ve and vulnerable. When she is first accused by Othello, she does not realize the extent of Othellos jealousy, and instead of explaining thoroughly to him what has happened, she expects Othello to get to the right track by himself. Instead of explaining to Othello that she has lost it, she just tries to change the topic, and later links Othellos behavior to Â…something, sure of state,Â… Â…hath puddle his clear spiritÂ… . Desdemona is the last frontier between Iago and Othello, and Iago puts everything at stake to ruin her reputation. In this play, reputation is regarded as the most valuable part of aShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeares Othello997 Words   |  4 Pagesdistinguish appearance versus reality. Shakespeares Othello and sonnets 93 and 138 demonstrate being who you are in reality triumphs over appearance and what you seem to be. In Othello, Shakespeare illustrates the importance reality takes place in identifying a persons true character as early as in act one. The plays antagonist, Iago, ostensibly discloses himself to his pawn Roderigo, as his personal confidante. 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