Reputation

In his play Othello, William Shakespeare uses the characters reputation to expose the insecurities displayed.

Desdemona:
Desdemona, as known as The Moor, Othello's wife has a very high reputation, as her father is of high class. Desdamona doesn't seem to worry much about her reputation as she marries Othello with out any prejudice. This exposes her as trustworthy, honest and very loyal. However her reputation as a was is something she wants to keep pure. Her kind and caring manner towards Cassio leads to Her reputation of being tarnished as she is to be unfaithful to her husband of which leads to her tragic downfall.

Iago

Iago built a trustworthy reputation with all his companions even the ones he hated the most thought he was an honest man. As Othello's ancient Othello places complete trust in Iago's word. "I know thou'rt full of love and honesty" (Act 3, iii, 199). It is because of Iago's reputation that he is able to deceive not only Othello but nearly everyone in the play. Thus in Iago's case his reputation is vital to his success.

Cassio's reputation changed at at different stages of the play. Fist Cassio was seen has an honourable made of high status. However due to Iago's clever manipulation it is later that he causes trouble. He gets involved in a drunken violent fight with Roderigo and Montano and injures Montano. Ashamed, Cassio believes that his reputation has been destroyed. "Reputaion, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial" (Act II, iii, 242-3). Iago then uses Cassio's now tranished reputation and uses it to succeed.

Character Profile-Othello

Othello is the highly respected general of the armies of Venice, although he is not a native of Venice but an area of Northern Africa. He is often not respected as he is seen to be an outsider culturally and due to his colour not for his title. In spite of his high status in society Othello seems to have insecurities. Othello is a powerful character within in the play, respected by all those around him. Othello is madly in love with his wife Desdemona and Othello's insecurities quickly turn into extreme jealousy that claims his life.