“My parts, my title and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly.”
Othello – Act 1, Scene 2
Othello believes his character, rank and record will prove his honour.
“To vouch this is no proof without more wider and more overt test than these thin habits and poor likelihoods of modern seeming do prefer against him.”
Duke – Act 1, Scene 3
The Duke insists reputation cannot be destroyed by flimsy evidence and prejudice.
“Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial.”
Cassio – Act 2, Scene 3
Cassio treats reputation as the “immortal” part of his identity; without it he feels dehumanised.
“Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, is the immediate jewel of their souls.”
Iago – Act 3, Scene 3
Iago pretends to value reputation highly to gain Othello’s trust, even as he destroys it.
“Who steals my purse steals trash… but he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed.”
Iago – Act 3, Scene 3
He argues that honour is more precious than money, while secretly plotting to ruin Othello’s and Cassio’s good names.
“Men should be what they seem.”
Iago – Act 3, Scene 3
Bitterly ironic: the man who says this is the least honest character in the play.
“So please your grace, my ancient, a man he is of honesty and trust, to his conveyance I assign my wife.”
Othello – Act 1, Scene 3
Othello stakes Desdemona’s safety on Iago’s “honesty”, showing how reputation can be dangerously misleading.
“I have done the state some service.”
Othello – Act 5, Scene 2
In his final speech, he clings to his public service as the honourable part of his legacy.
“Then must you speak of one that loved not wisely but too well.”
Othello – Act 5, Scene 2
Othello tries to control his posthumous reputation by shaping how he will be remembered.
“So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true.”
Emilia – Act 5, Scene 2
Emilia stakes her salvation and honour on telling the truth about Iago and Othello.