The Importance of Reputation in Shakespeare's OthelloReputation is very important to Shakespeare, and he shows that very clearly in "Othello: The Moor of Venice". Iago's reputation as an honest man, Othello's reputation as a just hero, Cassio's changing reputation throughout the play, and Desdemona's reputation play a key role in the outcome of the play.Throughout the play, Iago is thought to be honest and a good advisor. We often see "honest Iago", or in Othello's words "this fellow's of exceeding honesty". None of the characters in the play knows what Iago is really up to, and they blindly trust him and accept his advice. Thanks to his reputation, he manipulates Othello's feelings and reasoning, destroys Cassio's reputation, and also manages to get Othello to kill Desdemona. Iago says it himself when he is talking to the audience "when devils will the blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows". Without his reputation as an honest man, Iago would have never been able to do any of those things.
