Honest Reputation
The Importance of Reputation,
Othello
Everyone is responsible for their own reputation. Many people do believe that a reputation can make the best of you, while others would strongly disagree. In Shakespeare’s novel, Othello, the main antagonist, Iago, frequently express that his reputation is important to him. However, he represents just some of the many characters who care a great deed about their reputation. Other characters like Desdemona and Othello also demonstrate a high regard for their reputations. Nevertheless, it is due to the importance of reputation in the novel that Iago, who has an honest reputation, is able to manipulate others, cause the destruction of others reputation and cause several deaths. As a result of Iago’s constant concern for his reputation paranoia and impulsive courses of action were used to maintain a good reputation.
In the novel Iago proves in many ways that with a great reputation comes a great deed of trust, he displays this by manipulating others. Roderigo was helplessly in love with Desdemona and once she was married he suffered a great heartbreak. In attempt to try and win over Desdemona’s love Roderigo took advice from Iago, because he is seen as an honest and trust worthy man, to put money in his pocket and to buy many gifts for Desdemona.
Every day thou daff’st me with some de- vice, Iago, and rather, as it seems to me now,
Keep’st from me all conveniency that suppliest me
With the least advantage of hope. I will indeed no
Longer endure it. Nor am I yet persuaded to put up
In peace what already I have foolishly suffered (Shakespeare, IV, ii, 206- 211).
This allowed Iago to use Roderigo and his money to advance his plan rather than truly helping Roderigo with his problem. Iago also uses his honest reputation to seem like a kind gentleman only wanting to celebrate the General’s marriage when in reality he is using it to cause Cassio to
2
get drunk. “O, they are our friends! But one cup; I’ll
Othello
Everyone is responsible for their own reputation. Many people do believe that a reputation can make the best of you, while others would strongly disagree. In Shakespeare’s novel, Othello, the main antagonist, Iago, frequently express that his reputation is important to him. However, he represents just some of the many characters who care a great deed about their reputation. Other characters like Desdemona and Othello also demonstrate a high regard for their reputations. Nevertheless, it is due to the importance of reputation in the novel that Iago, who has an honest reputation, is able to manipulate others, cause the destruction of others reputation and cause several deaths. As a result of Iago’s constant concern for his reputation paranoia and impulsive courses of action were used to maintain a good reputation.
In the novel Iago proves in many ways that with a great reputation comes a great deed of trust, he displays this by manipulating others. Roderigo was helplessly in love with Desdemona and once she was married he suffered a great heartbreak. In attempt to try and win over Desdemona’s love Roderigo took advice from Iago, because he is seen as an honest and trust worthy man, to put money in his pocket and to buy many gifts for Desdemona.
Every day thou daff’st me with some de- vice, Iago, and rather, as it seems to me now,
Keep’st from me all conveniency that suppliest me
With the least advantage of hope. I will indeed no
Longer endure it. Nor am I yet persuaded to put up
In peace what already I have foolishly suffered (Shakespeare, IV, ii, 206- 211).
This allowed Iago to use Roderigo and his money to advance his plan rather than truly helping Roderigo with his problem. Iago also uses his honest reputation to seem like a kind gentleman only wanting to celebrate the General’s marriage when in reality he is using it to cause Cassio to
2
get drunk. “O, they are our friends! But one cup; I’ll
Cited: * Shakespeare, William. Othello. New York: Poland. Washington Square Press,1993.