Significance of Reputation in 'Othello'

In the play 'Othello' by William Shakespeare, reputation plays a big role. Reputation contains the power of hierarchy and the reputation of the characters led them to such a disaster. Iago uses his reputation as an honest man to deceive Othello and everyone else. Cassio's changing reputation has a big part in the outcome of the play as well. Desdemona's innocent reputation supports Iago to easily deceive Othello.

Iago's reputation played a key role in the play. Everyone thought that Iago was an honest man. "O, that's an honest fellow", "You advise me well... goodnight honest Iago." Iago convinced everyone that he is noble and honest, which then he used to his advantage. No one suspected that Iago was a deceitful man and would plot to destroy Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio in such a cunning way. Iago usedhis reputation to manipulate Othello and set his plan in motion and complete it. Without Iago's honest reputation would never had allowed him smear Cassio and cause the death of Desdemona and ultimately Othello as well.

Cassio's changing reputation played a big role in the play as well. Reputation was everything to Cassio. He was too loyal of a friend and had always followed orders. Othello sayed to Cassio, "I'll make thee an example." He clearly showed his loss of trust in Cassio and Cassio knew this. He tried to correct the situation with Othello through Desdemona, but it only made things worse once Iago stepped in. Cassio's tarnished reputation only helped Iago to succeed in his plan. Cassio reputation as a loyal, just and honest soldier was trashed when he got drunk.

Desdemona, as Othello's wife had a high reputation in the play, 'Othello'. But in the start of the play, her father's trust against Desdemona had broken down as she had deceived her father and married Othello. Although she is the symbol of innocence in the play, Iago had used this to deceive Othello by convincing him that Desdemona had been cheating.
The reputations of the three characters played a big role in the outcome of the play, 'Othello. Reputation is a way which helps to make judgements about others and is very important in our society today.

Character Profile-Othello,Iago

Othello

* How would you describe this character's personality?

Othello is a passionate man, and deeply loves Desdemona, even when he kills her. Although he is a black/dark skinned man, not many people tend to care about his skin colour. Othello sometimes makes a point of presenting himself as an outsider, gets stressed, show low self esteem about that fact that he has different skins to others and lowers himself down in his mind.Othello is also able to captivate his peers with his speech. The duke’s reply to Othello’s speech about how he wooed Desdemona with his tales of adventure is “I think this tale would win my daughter too” (I.iii.170).

* How is this character viewed by other people in the play?

Othello is viewd as a strong and powerful, trustworthy who suits the position of authority that he is in. Although to Iago, Othello is seen as a ugly black man who took his position. Iago sees Othello with jealousy, Desdemona sees Othello with love and passion for him.

* What relationship does this person have to others in the play?
Othello has married Desdemona secretly before the play. Iago is Othello's ensign and Cassio is Othello's lieutenaunt who is truly devoted to him. Iago is jealous of Othello, plans out a fake relationship between Desdemona and Rogerigo which created a tradgic story.

* Are there any specific themes that you can identify that are linked to this character?
Tradgic will be the theme for Othello and most of the characters in this play, as he misunderstood Iago's lie of Desdemona's cheating, and therefore kills his own wife with his own hands. Although everything started out all good and nice, the ending was very tradgic for Othello.

Iago

* How would you describe this character's personality?

Iago is the most heinous villain in the play. He is  ascinating for his most terrible characteristic, uttering lack of convincing motivation for his actions. At the end of Act I, scene iii, Iago says he thinks Othello may have slept with his wife, Emilia: “It is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets / He has done my office” (I.iii.369–370). He is willing to take revenge on anyone; Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Roderigo, even Emilia at the slightest provocation and enjoys the pain and damage he causes. Iago is often funny, especially in his scenes with the foolish Roderigo.


* How is this character viewed by other people in the play?

Iago is viewd as a trustworthy and a brave man who serves his master very well. He can be gernerous, kind and helping. He has earned Othello's trust, even over his wife, Desdemona. Although Iago's personality seen from the perspective of the audience is the opposite from the characters view, his actions are very detailed and carful.

* What relationship does this person have to others in the play?

Othello and Iago have a tight relationship, where Othello trusts Iago more than anything, tells him everything and even kills his wife because he believed Iago's lies. Desdemona is one of the characters that was being used to break down Othello's reputation. Iago uses Cassio’s youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s fidelity. Roderigo is convinced that if he gives Iago all of his money, Iago will help him win Desdemona’s hand. Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant.



* Are there any specific themes that you can identify that are linked to this character?

Back-stabbing, terrible and tradgic as well. If it wasn't Iago to start this whole plan to just get rid of Othello, the tradgic story wouldn't have happened.