Reputation- OTHELLO

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Reputation

1) Othello misled reputation

Anita Loomba: "England was increasingly hostile to foreigners, both officially and at a popular level".

Brabantio is quick to accuse Othello of casting a spell on his daughter and using witchcraft because he is a 'Moor'

Even though Othello is a noble "valiant" soldier who has earnt his position and gained a good reputation

In the 1870's production Tommoso Salvani an Italian actor played Othello and spoke all of his lines in Italian while the rest of the characters spoke in English. this version of Othello is known to have prowled around like a tiger and known for his savagery and eroticism. This ultimately accentuates the fact Othello is an outcast and no matter how much he uses respectful words there will always be a prejudice against him which ultimately makes him vulnerable for characters such as Iago to manipulate him.

leading Othello to become "profoundly insecure" as Phillip Caryl points out.

2) Desdemona's Reputation -

Shakespeare decision to take Cinthio's brief tale of a doomed mixed-race marriage and transform it into a heartbreaking tragedy. In a country where few people outside London would ever have seen a coloured person, and centuries before the problems that fuel tragedy becomes as ubiquitous and pressing as they are today. Desdemona and Othello in their eyes and Shakespeare's there's nothing illicit about their love, to which they regard themselves and the play regards them, as they are fully entitled. In the shape of Iago, venomous rage of society whose foundations are rocked by the mere fact of their marriage.

She doesn't seem to care much about her reputation as she goes against her father to be with Othello

Lisa Jardine (Still Harping on Daughters)- She suggests hat the stage world of Jacobean drama is wholly masculine and argues that there is only a male viewpoint to offer. Jardine assert that Desdemona proves tobe "too-knowing, too-independent" Becuase of her waywardness she is punished by the patriarchy"

3) Iago's deceiving reputation of being "honest"

'Honest'- Great virtue to have

"I am not what I am"

Everyone believes his reputation to be honest, innocent and helpul but he is actually weak, insecure and distrustful.

Allows him to manipulate characters.

Typical Machivillian- cunning and and scheming

Can control people

Treats people as ends rather than means

Prey catching