theme of reputation in othello

Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. This in turn helps him fulfill his plan because Othello falls right into his trap. Shakespeare chose to have the dramatic irony to have the audience experience a tragedy. Truly, Iago exploited Othellos virtue and twisted them into mortal flaws. Though Rodrigo's affection seemed adolescent and included jealousy, the movie cannot bring it out. Here are some ways our essay examples library can help you with your assignment: Read our Academic Honor Code for more information on how to use (and how not to use) our library. Iago tells Michael Cassio "Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving. In William Shakespeare's play, Othello, the symbolism of Desdemona's handkerchief is central to the play's tragic dnouement. When it comes to people, Brutus is loving and wants the best for them. However, the exploration of racism, sexism, and deception also is essential to the play. By repeating what Othello had originally asked, Iago is creating a deceptive illusion that causes Othello to think that he is hiding something that he does not want to show. The principles of honor and reputation cause the men in Othello to become arrogant and self-absorbed blunting their sense of empathy; these men need to help and listen to others to become honorable men. In Othello, Shakespeare explores factors that play an important role in the formations of one's identity - race, gender, social status, family relationships, military service, etc. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. 's' : ''}}. succeed. The essays in our library are intended to serve as content examples to inspire you as you write your own essay. The main antagonist, Iago uses his reputation to portray vicious activity. In the play Othello written by William Shakespeare, the theme of reputation was a very important part of what made the play tragic. For instance, at one point Othello demands that Iago provide "ocular proof" of Desdemona's infidelityhe demands to see reality. Next Section Act I Summary and Analysis Previous Section Themes Buy Study Guide We'll take a look right away. Othello is susceptible to Iago's ploys due to the fact that he himself is so honest and straightforward, For when my outward action doth demonstrate the. For the audience, this statement enhances the play with the use of verbal irony because they are already aware that not all of the conspirators are murdering Caesar for Romes best interest; rather, for their best interests. Racial perception is brought up in a play as there is how uncivilized people are in Africa when Othello describes Africans as being "cannibals that eats each other". Using his reputation as `honest Iago' as bait he would `ensnare them all'. Shakespeare once observed that the evil men do lives after them/the good is oft interred with their bones. That seems to be the case with the two tragedies of Macbeth and Othello. of this play. If you choose love you lose your reputation, while on the other hand if you value your reputation more than anything you will not have love. seems to be helping his friend to keep his reputation and use it to manipulate other characters Iago does this because he is devious and gets enjoyment out of others destruction. Othellos real problem is not jealousy it's completely trusting the wrong people and being easily deceived. These ideologies are often the catalyst for discrimination, fuelling a desire for society to preserve the prevailing status quo. His pride cannot allow the slight of his wife crying over the death of the man he thinks she is cheating on him with, so Othello shows her no mercy. copyright 2003-2022 Study.com. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Reputation in Othello Reputation is the general way in which people perceive you to be based off of facts and opinions. Trying to prove to Roderigo that he really does hate Othello, Iago says that there are men who serve their masters only to get what they can, "and when they have lin'd their coats / Do themselves homage" (1.1.53-54). Famous actors or politicians have reputation; they have a high level of name recognition because their deeds are attached to names that we hear or read again and again. In Shakespeare's Othello, reputation is one of the main themes that is expressed. Moreover, Cassius attempts to sway Brutus through his pathos by capitalizing Brutuss fear for the future of Rome. The Chandos portrait, commonly assumed to depict William Shakespeare but authenticity unknown, "the man who of all Modern, and perhaps Ancient Poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul" ( John Dryden, 1668), "our myriad-minded Shakespeare" ( S. T. Coleridge, 1817). Othello's jealousy impedes his ability to distinguish between reality and, Throughout the play, various male figures seek to assert and protect their manhood and their honor. However, the individual will go to such extremes in an attempt to receive justice that the repercussions of his actions will overpower the feeling of success he attains in his endeavour. The play's most obvious engagement with reputation occurs in Act 2, Scene 3, when Iago gets Cassio so drunk that Roderigo easily provokes him into a disgraceful brawl. If Iago was seen as a dishonest person, then Othello would not believe that Desdemona slept with Cassio and nobody would have been killed. Although shortly after their matrimony. For instance, at one point Othello demands that Iago provide "ocular proof" of Desdemona's infidelityhe demands to see reality. Jealousy, Envy & the Green-Eyed Monster in Othello | What is the Green-Eyed Monster? Today we say things like ''She's really made a name for herself'' and ''He's a big name in the industry'' when we talk about reputation. Iago frames Michael Cassio and then later tells him that he will help him get his job back Iago refers to jealousy as the "green-eyed monster." As this metaphor suggests, jealousy is closely associated with the theme of appearance and reality. Holden calls Mr. Hass phony for using people to his advantage. Good vs. evil is a major theme in the play, though there is a great deal of gray area; though Iago is the villain, everyone else has some blemish on their natures which makes them easily corruptible, and not entirely deserving of the label "good". Brutus articulates this to maintain the integrity of the act for both the conspirators, and the audience. While Iago, Lodovico, and Gratiano tend to Cassio, Bianca arrives. I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what/ remains is bestial." 2.3. fake high esteem setting up for failure. An error occurred trying to load this video. However, it seems that once Cassio is legitimately wounded, he then rises above his previous status as Lieutenant to General, which puts sense into worrying about a bodily wound. Othello believes Iago when he says that Desdemona is cheating on him. Othello Theme 1: Race Shakespeare's Othello is a Moor, a Black man - indeed, one of the first Black heroes in English literature. He is known as a Moor, which . Iago planned to fire Cassio and it worked in his favor, but now Theme Of Reputation In Othello Theme Of Reputation In Othello 269 Words2 Pages In Shakespeare's Othello, Cassio compares reputation to generosity but Iago uses his reputation to achieve his desire and thinks it is even ethical to do dishonorable work in order to protect it. Credit, in finance, is how much money you can trust a person to pay back on time. Kibin, 2022. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/an-analysis-of-the-theme-of-reputation-in-othello-by-william-shakespeare-9h1RTWll. He confidently states Cassios offence against Roderigo, the crying man, in efforts to execute him. This literary technique is used in The Pardoner's Tale to show how corrupt the Pardoner is. Cassius exploits Brutuss pathos in that he compliments Brutus to inflate his ego, as shown when Cassius says Brutus has hidden worthiness (1,2,57) and his worthiness earns him many of the best respect in Rome (1,2,59). He relies on those in power perceiving him as capable, responsible, and just. You can see this happen when Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. In the play, Rodrigo's character is overdramatic, simple minded and dearly loves Desdemona. Othello "Lend me your handkerchief." Desdemona "I have it not about me." Othello "Is't lost? The Themes of Reputation and Honor in Othello An annotated list of relevant passages. The drama describes how Othello and Desdemona effort to construct a life together. While Iago further pushed Othello into believing his stories about Desdemonas unfaithfulness, he states, Her honor is an essence thats not see: they have it very oft that have it not (Act I, Scene I, Lines 16-17). This allows our team to focus on improving the library and adding new essays. Othello is an otherwise virtuous man, but throughout the play he reveals the very essence of being human, having a flaw. Othello being the general should have. Throughout the play, prideful individuals are often victims of deceit as they cannot see beyond their own moral high. As a results, as suggested by Folly, Brutus, a wise man, and his political career are doomed while Antony, a fool, continues to rule over the Romans with celebration with more. 97) to Desdemona. Othello has a changing reputation throughout the play. Weep'st thou for him to my face?" (V.ii. The most prominent form of prejudice on display in Othello is racial prejudice. Character Analysis: Iago's Motives In Othello. Fast forward to Act 3, Scene 3, however, and Iago does a complete backflip when discussing Desdemona's good name with Othello: ''Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,Is the immediate jewel of their souls.Who steals my purse steals trash. Othello is susceptible to Iago's ploys because he himself is so honest and straightforward. Theme of love in Othello Love is the main theme of the play but unluckily the web of intrigues spoils it very badly. The example essays in Kibin's library were written by real students for real classes. Once again, a good name is attached to both the immortal soul and to jewels or money. Othello holds an important position of power and influence. He tells Othello that "Good name in a man and a woman. In Juliet's Verona, like many other Shakespeare settings, a name is attached to a family history of honor, prestige, and - in this case - a blood feud. His career in the military and as an aspiring politician depends totally upon his good name. Benedick and Beatrice can be seen showing different reactions which in turn reflect their pride and values. Thanks to his own reputation as being honest and loyal, Iago has the power to persuade and manipulate people, to ruin their reputations, and to build up his own. "Reputation, reputation, reputation! This is particularly strange given that Othello so happily uses money as an image for reputation just before. Due to his ideology, phoniness is something he expects everywhere he goes, although he carries it with himself. flashcard sets, {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | (2022). Othello as a Tragic Figure. Knowing he is portrayed as very Lastly, Holden calls Marty phony for lying. Othello REPUTATION quotes. Iago 2.3.370 But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed Iago 3.3.159-61 Reputation, reputation, reputation! This not only makes Iago seem like a reliable source of information, but also drills another reason to become insecure and outraged into Othellos head. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Check out our Privacy and Content Sharing policies for more information.). (And nope, we don't source our examples from our editing service! But how would he accomplish such an act? | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} That you can build your reputation based on how you act with a person in a given moment. and more. Reputation of William Shakespeare. In Shakespeare's play, Othello is the well-respected general of the Venetian army, but he soon begins to lose his reputation due to his blind trust in Iago, who manipulates him to become a jealous and erratic man. We discovered how Othello, Cassio, and Montano use monetary language to describe their reputations in terms of credit, or the ability to be trusted. You have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser.''. Over and over, Othello calls Iago, "Honest Iago." Because his reputation is known for being honest, he tells Othello lie after lie because he knows Othello will believe him. that demonstrates the power and strength of repute. The choice of setting differs in the play and the movie. Iago's reputation played a key role in . Firstly we are shown a confident yet respectful man then a gullible man then a violent one until he becomes a murderer of an innocent person. Iagos dishonesty causes Othello to think that he is a friend that he should trust and talk to, when in reality, Iago is plotting against him for his own benefits. In William Shakespeare's Othello, racism is certainly featured throughout the play. If Iago has a reputation for anything in this play, it is being honest. Throughout the play, various male figures seek to assert and protect their manhood and their honor. Othello's reputation also plays a big role throughout the play. The theme of jealousy, racial bias and deceitfulness is revealed in both the play and movie. Essays may be lightly modified for readability or to protect the anonymity of contributors, but we do not edit essay examples prior to publication. 3. Cassio's changing reputation has a big part in the outcome of the play as well. One must choose between glory and love because they are not compatible. honest even by Othello himself, Iago uses it to his advantage . The rest of Iago's plan at last falls into place after his discussion with Cassio. But Iago instead provides the circumstantial evidence of the handkerchief, which Othello, consumed by his jealousy, accepts as a substitute for "ocular proof." We still use this kind of image today when we say things like ''give him credit.'' Sign up Mentioned over 30 times within the text, the item is both distinct in design white, and dotted with images of strawberries and imbued with a deep history. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons Is't gone? His lack of. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Othello's Soliloquy by William Shakespeare | Summary & Analysis, Foreshadowing in Othello by William Shakespeare | Examples & Analysis, Jealousy in Othello by Shakespeare | Theme, Quotes & Analysis, The Willow Song in Othello by William Shakespeare | Symbolism & Analysis, Othello vs. Iago in Othello by William Shakespeare | Traits & Analysis, Emilia in Othello by William Shakespeare | Quotes, Relationships & Character Analysis, Othello & Desdemona in Othello by William Shakespeare | Relationship & Analysis, Cassio in Othello by William Shakespeare | Character Analysis & Quotes, The Handkerchief in Othello by William Shakespeare | Significance & Analysis, Brabantio in Othello by William Shakespeare | Quotes & Analysis, Roderigo in Othello by William Shakespeare | Quotes & Analysis, 12th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, AP English Literature: Homeschool Curriculum, American Literature Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Middle School Language Arts: Lessons & Help, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Study Guide, Create an account to start this course today. In Shakespeare's Othello, Cassio compares reputation to generosity but Iago uses his reputation to achieve his desire and thinks it is even ethical to do dishonorable work in order to protect it. Is it possible for one to love and also maintain their reputation at the same time? Hamlets acting out of passion and anger not only killed the wrong man but it was also Ophelias father, causing her to commit suicide. 257-260). The arch-deceiver in this play is Iago. By doing this he is planning frame Cassio and Desdomonia as having an These names take on a character of their own that often becomes far bigger than the individual named. One might even say that jealousy is the main theme of Othello. The Characteristics of Julius Caesar and Brutus contradict each other and Brutus does what his morals are to get rid of Julius Caesar or in the play to assassinate him. In Othello, William Shakespeare develops the idea that an individual will go to extreme measures in order to obtain his own sense of justice. I believe, Iago here does have some conscience of what he's doing- he constantly tries to reassure himself of what he's doing is right; he himself is a victim of his own devise. The Pardoner tells a story with the intention of teaching the company that greed is the root of all evil, yet he tries to swindle them and get contributions even after he admits they are fake. 123Helpme.com. The Theme of Reputation in "Othello" Summary: In William Shakespeare's play "Othello," Iago blurs the idea of keeping a good reputation. Although deception is always meant to deceive, the degree of deception varies upon the context of the situation. His second flaw completely opposite from the first, was acting on impulse out of passion making him kill the wrong man, Polonius. Once Hamlet sees how Claudius reacts to the play he knows that Claudius killed his father and that the ghost was right, he has a chance to kill him and doesnt take it . given the name Honest Iago despite how honest he really is. One of Hamlets flaws is that he over thinks things a lot and it is first shown the most at the prayer scene with Claudius. Hamlet was a hero trying to do the right thing, but his tragic flaws turn everything around when everyone including himself dies . Reputation The theme of reputation dominates this scene. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Every teacher of literature should use these translations. Iago's primary tactic in bringing Othello to ruin is to sow seeds of distrust in the general's mind. 79 lessons This is ironic because he should be practicing what he preaches, but he does the exact opposite. In fact, Cassio asserts that reputation is all that makes you human ("I have lost, Two contrasting images of womanhood dominate Othello: the virtuous and loyal woman, or Madonna, embodied by Desdemona; and the whore, embodied, to a certain extent by Bianca. Reputation is the tool Iago uses to manipulate his fellow characters., through his built up persona "honest Iago," he ac. This includes his own. He believes Cassio has also slept with his wife; an absurd suspicion- but nevertheless allows Iago to continue with his plan. Reputation was so important in the play that it could have gave insight to characters or allowed characters to have manipulated others and it allowed for the t. Othello clearly believes that he is only motivated by honour - but the audience has witnessed ugly passions, language and behaviour which belies the general's self-belief. Glory and love are contradictory. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Iago is so two-faced and compelling that others . (Click the themes infographic to download.). Othello. Othello is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare and published in 1622. He can be seen as apprehensive because he feels the need to orate why the conspirators are slaying Caesar. The evil that Iago does has destroyed two families, and that evil cannot be undone. As Iago puts it: "the Moor is of a free and open nature/ That thinks men honest that but seem to be so; and will as tenderly be led by, Iago refers to jealousy as the "green-eyed monster." When citing an essay from our library, you can use "Kibin" as the author. Characters like Iago, Cassio, Desdemona, and. Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that Caesar? Having married a woman of unparalleled beauty and nobility, Othello already feels unworthy. Themes. Yet over the course of the play, it becomes clear that these two different ways of describing women don't actually apply to real women. . The main character Othello is a general in the Venetian army. You have lost no reputation at all unless you repute yourself such a loser" (II. 'Tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his,And has been slave to thousandsBut he that filches from me my good nameRobs me of that which not enriches himAnd makes me poor indeed.''. Based on the Duke's regard for him in 1.3, it is clear that Othello has attained political power through his military might. Iago's repeated deception moves the play forward to the climax and ultimately to the tragic ending. There is more sense in that than in reputation (2.3.243-4). 1. Othello undermines his reputation as a cool-headed commander by losing his temper. This includes Othello, Brabantio, Cassio and last but not least Iago. Othello is tragedy written by William Shakespeare. What quote about Othello's actions shows this?, What does Othello say about Brabantio's complaints? This preview is partially blurred. Iago uses his reputation as an honest man to deceive Othello and everyone else. Every characters reputation played a vital role in how and why certain events were played out. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? Famous Lines: Othello How poor are they that have not patience. . Kibin does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the essays in the library; essay content should not be construed as advice. This play has an abundance of characters that progress alongside the theme pride and reputation. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/an-analysis-of-the-theme-of-reputation-in-othello-by-william-shakespeare-9h1RTWll, ("An Analysis of the Theme of Reputation in Othello by William Shakespeare. As we know in the audience, however, Iago is perfectly willing to mislead anyone to accomplish his goals. Othello trusted the opinion of one man and Iago took that trust for his own purposes. Iago is not only lying to Othello in this passage, but he also says very little to once again make Othello even more curious and frustrated at the same time. Uncover new sources by reviewing other students' references and bibliographies, Inspire new perspectives and arguments (or counterarguments) to address in your own essay. We identified reputation with a person's name, which holds that person's personal and family history. He allows himself to get carried away with accusations he can't prove. That which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet.''. Heros death shows the men deceiving themselves through their self-righteous actions. Throughout "Othello", the theme of deception plays an important role. Roderigo, who is in love with Desdemona, is . Loomba describes Othello as a "total outsider". They completely demystify Shakespeare. Iago uses his reputation as an honest man to deceive Othello and everyone else. He is a Venetian soldier who serves under General This quote creates suspense because we as the readers want to know how Iago is going to corrupt Othello. One of the most relevant themes of this play besides jealousy is pride which also relates to reputation. The literary masterpiece "Othello" by William Shakespeare is a perfect example of why this saying is true. Instead, they are male fantasies imposed on womenideals that men want woman to fulfill, and roles that women therefore purposefully play, Instant downloads of all 1656 LitChart PDFs Based on the Duke's regard for him in 1.3, it is clear that Othello has attained political power through his military might. Heros supposed unfaithfulness shows Claudio, Don Pedro and at first, Leonato, being tricked due to their love for honor. Othello wants Venice to remember him as honorable in spite of his actions. In his own time, William Shakespeare . welcome our online store! On the other hand, Antony, a man who dearly enjoys folly in the form of self-love, company, drinking, etc, attempts to avenge Caesars death. In Shakespeare's Othello, the concept of taking advantage of someone through manipulation leads to unnecessary, horrible events. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Anyone can be manipulated into false ideas that lead him into destruction. The subplot in which Iago gets Cassio drunk and causes him to humiliate himself, also indicates the importance of "reputation, reputation, reputation." Loss of reputation. Did you find something inaccurate, misleading, abusive, or otherwise problematic in this essay example? Your reputation defines you as a member of society, and it can be used towards your benefit depending on if your reputation is good or bad. Take Juliet's famous exclamation, for example, from Romeo and Juliet: ''What's in a name? Iago not only deceives others by using the power of silence and intimacy, but he also lies to his targets to manipulate them into thinking something else; My lord, you know I love you (iii, iii, 122). This displays irony because he is completely aware of his deceitful nature, yet continues to proclaim that he is an honest man. As this metaphor suggests, jealousy is closely associated with the theme of appearance and reality.

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