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 …show more content…

Iago was also able to destroy Othello’s reputation due to the fact that Othello trusted him so much he believed Iago’s lie about Desdemona cheating and being enraged with anger caused Othello to act irrationally. “Why, Sweet Othello! / Striking her/ Devil!” (IV,i, 267- 268) By physically abusing his wife in front of others Othello’s reputation of being a respectable Moor was quickly diminished. Although Desdemona was known as a kind, sweet lady Iago was able to diminish her reputation very easily with his numerous lies. Having Othello trust him, Iago was able to convince Othello that Desdemona once betrayed her father in marrying him and that she may as well just betray him as well. In sleep I heard him say “Sweet Desdemona, Let us be wary, let us hide our loves.” And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand, Cry “O sweet creature!” then kiss me hard,
As if he plucked up kisses by the roots
That grew upon my lips; then laid his leg
O’er my thigh, and sighed, and kissed, and then
Cried “Crusèd fate that gave thee to the Moor! (III, iii, 472- 482)
This is seen as proof of Desdemona cheating, which caused Othello to see her as a whore. This solidifies that her reputation in Othello’s eyes is ruined. In many ways Iago was able to cause the destruction of several reputations due to his own reputation.

4 Another way Iago’s reputation influenced the lives of others was with the deaths of several people, some according to his plan while