Themes: Reputation Flashcards
Key theme of reputation in 'Othello'
How is Othello’s reputation explored in the play?
Othello begins the play with a strong reputation as a noble general who has earned the respect of Venice despite his label of a “moor”. His tragic downfall (which can also be seen as the loss of his reputation) is driven by fear of losing the reputation he has worked so hard for (when he believes Desdemona is being unfaithful, he is only worried about what people will say about him).
“Reputation is an idle and most false imposition oft got without merit and lost without deserving.”
Othello: Act 2, Scene 3
AO1: Contradictory language
AO1: Foreshadowing
AO2: Othello claims not to believe in the powerful “idol” of reputation despite subconsciously displaying his fears of losing his, displaying his hypocrisy as well as the hypocisy of society.
AO2: Othello soon loses his reputation “without deserving”
AO3: Within Christianity, idolatry – the worship of an idol – is seen as a sin, which Othello wishes to stray away from.
How is Iago’s reputation presented in the play?
Iago’s reputation is that of a positive one, despite his Machiavellian characteristics. He understands the value of reputation and fame within society and manipulates those around him (through theirs and his reputations) to benefit him and his plans against Othello.
“Honest Iago”
Throughout the play, namely by Othello
AO1: Epithet, Irony
AO2: Iago has a reputation for being reliable and honest; the irony in this shows how reputations can be built on false perceptions because of his true Macheivillian characteristics.
AO5: Goffman’s face theory - Iago presents a different “face” to each character, never revealing his true colours other than to the audience (his real intentions revealed at the end of the play can be seen as Iago “losing face”).
Iago’s Manipulation of Reputation: “Good name in man and woman […] is the jewel of their souls” [Act 3, Scene 3]
AO1: Comparative structure
AO2: Iago compares a good reputation to treasure, showing how priceless it is for your name to be helf with honour
How is Cassio’s reputation presented in the play?
Cassio values his reputation in the play more than anything. He gives so much weight to others’ opinions of him, and his desperation to restore his honour after having it shamefully stripped away leads him to unknowingly play into Iago’s plot.
Cassio’s Obsession with Reputation: “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation!” [Act 2, Scene 3]
Cassio: Act 2, Scene 3
AO1: Repetition and exclamative sentences
AO2: shows how devastated Cassio is about losing his high-status position
AO3: Reputations became so valued because humanist scholars and artists promoted fame as an admirable feat.
“I have lost this immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial”
Cassio: Act 2, Scene 3
AO1: bestial and celestial languageAO2: Cassio’s “immortal” reputation is what will live on when he dies, and now the story of how he lost his reputation will become his reputation.AO2: “bestial” – without his social status, all that remains are his primal instincts.
How is Desdemona’s reputation presented in the play?
Desdemona’s chastity and fidelity are critical to Othello’s sense of honour as Desdemona is an extension of Othello’s reputation. As a woman in Renaissance Venice Desdemona’s reputation is dependant on her chastity and obedience, both of which come into question by the other men in her life when she marries Othello
How does Desdemona’s gender affect her reputation?
Desdemona’s chastity and fidelity are critical to Othello’s sense of honour, as Desdemona is an extension of Othello’s reputation. As a woman in Renaissance Venice, Desdemona’s reputation is dependent on her virginal status and obedience to patriarchal society, both of which come into question by the other men in her life when she marries Othello.
“Her name, that was fresh as a Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face”
Othello: Act 3, Scene 3
AO1: Self-Deprecating Simile
AO2: Desdemona’s suspected infidelity will always affect hers and Othello’s reputations interchangeably, despite not being true.
AO2: Othello questions Desdemona’s loyalties based on a rumour and believes his reputation will in turn be affected negatively (being a woman means Desdemona is shackled to her husband’s reputation and drags him down with her)
