The Value of Reputation

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Reputation is a great part everyone’s life; everyone wants to have a good reputation in order to be respected by society members. William Shakespeare proves the importance of reputation’s role on all of the character’s lives by showing importance of reputation in the play “Othello”. Every member of society lives for the reputation, without it life becomes much more challenging. Reputation is shaped and influenced by one’s character and their past that can be used to one’s benefit. It cannot be determined by a being but what other’s believe to represent one’s identity. Reputation is an image in society that everyone wants to maintain, leading one to conclude that reputation means respect in a society.

A good reputation is needed in order to be with respect in a society. Those who have maintained a good reputation in society are given respect, but those who have not maintained a good reputation face more challenges in their life.

“Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,

Is the immediate jewel of their souls.

Who steals my purse steals trash; ‘tis something, nothing;

‘Twas mine. ‘tis his, and has been slaved to thousand;” (Shakespeare 3.3.155-158) Reputation is very important to Iago as shown in his point of view.With a “good name” (3.3.155) members of society are treated with respect and kindness, but those with a bad reputation will not be given the same respect. In a society people are valued for what they have accomplished or what they are known for, they can either benefit from their reputation or their reputation can cause many obstacles to come their way. People who do not have a good reputation are looked down upon in society, and not respected in any from. Reputation can be defined as “an idle and most false imp...

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In conclusion, reputation is a great aspect of an individual’s life that determines their value in society. In the play “Othello” reputation was shown throughout each and every characters lives depicting its importance. Every member of society lives for the reputation, without it life becomes much more challenging. Reputation is not always the reality, a person with a good reputation is not always trustworthy. It is based on the perspectives of other’s and society, but not one how a person see’s themselves. Society and only the members of it control reputation.

Works Cited

Lickerman, Alex. "The Value Of A Good Reputation." Psychology Today. N.p., 22 Apr 2010. Web. 12 May 2014. .

Shakespeare, William. Othello. 1sr ed. Toronto: Harcourt Canada, 2001. Print.

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