The significance of reputation in relation to the following characters:
Desdemona's reputation is her gateway to the world community; it goes before her to tell others of her honesty, trustworthiness, and ethos. It is the first thing that flatters Desdemona to her peers, and it is the last thing she wants to see harmed. However Desdemona goes against this by disobeying her father and marrying Othello, which Brabantio disowns her. "Ay, to me..Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, Sans witchcraft could not." As Brabantio refers to Desdemona has being dead to him.
Cassio
Cassio's changing reputation played a big role in the play as well. Reputation was everything to Cassio, but once demoted he began to act differently and couldn't face Othello. "I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial." (2.3). After Cassio is demoted Othello loses faith in his once good friend because of his tarnished reputation. Had Cassio not gotten drunk, Iago wouldn't have been able to convince Othello that he was cheating with Desdemona. He was too loyal of a friend and had always followed orders.
Iago
Iago's reputation played a key role in the play. Everyone thought of Iago as an honest man. "You advise me well... goodnight honest Iago." (2.3). Iago convinces everyone that he is noble and honest man and he uses this to his advantage. Without this cover he would never have been able to get Othello to believe that Desdemona would cheat on him. Just for suggesting that Desdemona would cheat on him, he probably would have killed Iago were it not for his reputation. Nobody suspects that Iago is a deceitful man and would plot to destroy Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio in such a cunning way. Iago uses his reputation to manipulate Othello and set his plan in motion and complete it. Without Iago's honest reputation would never had allowed him smear Cassio and cause the death of Desdemona and ultimately Othello as well.
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