Reputation In Othello
(Written in the style of a speech)
William Shakespeare’s Othello is a play about reputation. The role of reputation is a major one as throughout the play we see the importance of how one is perceived. For some, to act in a certain way with self control ultimately leads them to strengthen their character and image. But for others it can be lost in a single action. The characters within the play struggle to keep their reputation for various reasons such as retribution or to keep a good name for themselves. Reputation can impair judgement in both ways on the decisions the character makes and the thoughts made about them.
To the Elizabethans, reputation was everything to them; so much so that their credit was worth more than their life. To …show more content…
This scene would be the turning point in Othello’s character as we can see a once noble and respected man change into a vengeful savage.
The importance of honour is mentioned right at the beginning of the scene when Iago compares that to Desdemona’s handkerchief. He states that honour is an “essence that’s not seen, but for the handkerchief…” He wants Othello to think that we can’t see the essence of Desdemona’s honour but the handkerchief is something we can see. Essentially he wants Othello to associate the handkerchief with Desdemona’s honour.
Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to build up the tension in the scene between Othello and Desdemona. She comes in with Lodovico who gives Othello a letter which tells him to leave Cyprus for Venice and Cassio to be appointed governor. Because of this she is over the moon for Cassio as previously there had been no progress on his situation. But on the other hand, Othello interprets her joy as a way of expressing her love for Cassio in public, right in front of him. Of course the audience knows this isn’t true. He then starts to angrily mock her joy saying, “I’m glad to see you mad”. But when she asks why he is acting like this, he slaps
William Shakespeare’s Othello is a play about reputation. The role of reputation is a major one as throughout the play we see the importance of how one is perceived. For some, to act in a certain way with self control ultimately leads them to strengthen their character and image. But for others it can be lost in a single action. The characters within the play struggle to keep their reputation for various reasons such as retribution or to keep a good name for themselves. Reputation can impair judgement in both ways on the decisions the character makes and the thoughts made about them.
To the Elizabethans, reputation was everything to them; so much so that their credit was worth more than their life. To …show more content…
This scene would be the turning point in Othello’s character as we can see a once noble and respected man change into a vengeful savage.
The importance of honour is mentioned right at the beginning of the scene when Iago compares that to Desdemona’s handkerchief. He states that honour is an “essence that’s not seen, but for the handkerchief…” He wants Othello to think that we can’t see the essence of Desdemona’s honour but the handkerchief is something we can see. Essentially he wants Othello to associate the handkerchief with Desdemona’s honour.
Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to build up the tension in the scene between Othello and Desdemona. She comes in with Lodovico who gives Othello a letter which tells him to leave Cyprus for Venice and Cassio to be appointed governor. Because of this she is over the moon for Cassio as previously there had been no progress on his situation. But on the other hand, Othello interprets her joy as a way of expressing her love for Cassio in public, right in front of him. Of course the audience knows this isn’t true. He then starts to angrily mock her joy saying, “I’m glad to see you mad”. But when she asks why he is acting like this, he slaps