Reputation And Honor In Shakespeare's Othello

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The idea that the difference between reputation and honor is the same as the difference between appearance and reality is true. There are many similarities and many examples, but there are few that can represent this idea better than Iago from Shakespeare’s Othello. From being named “Honest Iago”, being seen as Roderigo’s trusted friend, or being one of Othello’s most trusted colleagues, Iago is truly not what he seems to the other characters’ in the play. When Othello, the protagonist in the play, calls Iago “Honest Iago” (Act I, scene iii, lines 284-294), it’s a little bit of a surprise and many probably think that he’s being facetious or that Othello has just made a mistake. But when you keep reading and realize that Othello repeats this name another couple of times, you realize that it wasn’t a mistake at all, nor a sarcastic remark, he truly believes that Iago is an honest …show more content…

Iago essentially ruined Othello’s life and caused it to come to an end. Throughout the story, Othello repeats how Iago is honorable and a trustworthy friend (Act II, scene iii, lines ): this couldn’t be further from the truth. Iago constantly goes behind Othello’s back and plots against him. Whether it be from convincing Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful (Act III, scene iii, lines 1816-1896), making him think a truly trustworthy person in Cassio was just the opposite because of his drinking (Act II, scene iii, lines 1315-1400), or taking the symbol of love, the handkerchief, between Desdemona and Othello and making it a symbol of hatred and unfaithfulness (Act III, scene iv, lines 1973-2007), he ruined the life of the Moor and, subsequently, ended it. Iago may have been fueled by a secret love to Desdemona, anger at his lack of promotion, or the thought of his wife cheating on him. Whatever his motives were, it can be said that he had no honor and only wanted revenge on those who had supposedly wronged

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