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Reputation and Image in William Shakespeare´s Othello

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Othello Explication
In William Shakespeare’s Othello, unspoken fears of being an outsider and concerns about his public image contribute to the downfall of a tragic hero named Othello. Othello, a general in the Venetian army’s, final monologue reflects the importance of reputation and the conformity needed to fit his surroundings. He is seen as an outsider of the Venetian culture; he is frequently referred to as “the Moor” and is called an abundance of racial slurs by the Venice born natives. Although Othello never voices his internal struggle to feel accepted by the people around him, his image and physical appearance are some of major issues he faces. Even in the moments before he stabs himself, Othello is more concerned with the …show more content…

In his final monologue, Othello prays to be remembered as is, but when he starts to describe himself, it seems as if it is how he wants to be remembered, not for who he actually was. The tone is ironic when he describes himself as “one not easily jealous” (5.2.350) because in actuality, his jealousy is what led to the death of his wife. If he was not easily made jealous then Iago’s deceitful lies and actions would have not have affected Othello as much as they did. Othello lies about his personal qualities because he is concerned with how his reputation will be presented after his death. The tone is remorseful when he “like the base Judean, threw a pearl away/ richer than all his tribe; of ones who subdued eyes” (5.2.352-353). Othello could not see how much Desdemona’s life was worth to him behind the hateful illusion that Iago created and surrounded him with. Othello is ashamed that he committed murder, but he does not fully accept responsibility when he blames his actions on “being wrought” (5.2.350) by Iago. He tries to downplay his mistakes to try to be remembered as a better man than he turned out to be by the end of the play. Othello’s concerns are not only with his reputation as an upstanding citizen and memorable soldier, but with his need to feel accepted by society. Throughout the play, on more than one account, each character refers to Othello as “the Moor” or makes a

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