Homework week 2/3

Reputation in Othello

Based on what we have read so far, discuss the importance/significance of reputation in relation to the following characters:

Desdemona
Cassio
Iago

Aim for the development of solid, analytical paragraphs. Ensure that your main points are substantiated by relevant, pertinent evidence and that you take the time to synthesise the evidence.

Reputation seems to be of vital importance in Othello, in particular to Iago and Cassio. In the time Othello was based in public appearance and reputation was obviously held highly. Desdemona is one of the only people in the play that seems not to see the significance of reputation. Cassio is seen as a very respectable and overall liked character, it is this good reputation that could be the reason for his high view of public appearance, because of his fear to loose his. After he has succumb to alcohol, something he was very reluctant to do, and humiliated himself in front of not only his officer, Othello, but also the public. It is seen in in Act 2 Scene 3 Cassio's dispair after his outburst, "Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation!" (2.3.242-243)

Iago knows the importance of reputation in a different way, by using it to his advantage and to manipulate Othello. Iago has a renowned reputation for being a very honest, trustworthy man and this is what Othello bases their friendship on, "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter." (2.3.228-229) When Iago recounts the story of how Cassio started the violence Othello takes Iago's side of the story as the truth because of his reputation.

Desdemona, however, does not realise the significance of reputation and not only ruins hers, by getting married to moor, but also does not realise Othello's professional reputation. Being the daughter of Brabantio, a senator, Desdemona is expected to marry a successful white man. Instead, she marries Othello, a moor. By doing so she ruins her reputation of being pure and innocent.