Shakespeare's Othello speaks of the difference between outward perception and true character. Many of the characters within the play are examples of this. Iago is one of the characters who exemplifies the difference between reputation and true character in a great way. Throughout the play, in Iago's hope for vengeance he plays the loyal, willing, and dutiful servant. There is seemingly no fault in Iago, it is for this reason that Othello says:
"Othello: Iago is most honest" (Shakespeare 83).
This is the perception of Iago to the outside world. Almost everyone who knows him within the story knows him as an honest man. He also works very hard to keep up the appearance of honesty. When asked by Othello what happened to cause the uproar with Cassio, Iago responds with,
"Iago: I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offense to Michael Cassio. Yet
I persuade myself, to speak the truth" (Shakespeare 97).
Here Iago talks as if he could never tell a lie no matter how much pain it can would cause a friend. Honesty is merely Iago's reputation. In reality he is a liar and very wicked. His show of loyalty towards Othello is a mere act, and the cause of Cassio's downfall. Iago is everything but honest.
In the setting of Shakespeare's play reputation is everything. Reputation can build people up or demote them. Outward appearances are must be kept up. Michael Cassio's outward appearance is different from his inner character. Due to Iago's trickery, Cassio is known as a brawling, untrustworthy drunk. In reality, Cassio is an intelligent and handsome man. When his true character is lost to all around him Cassio cries,
"Cassio: Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal
part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation" (Shakespeare 99).
Cassio's exclamation speaks of the world he is set in. Outward perceptions are more important than inner character. It is because of the new outward perception that others have of him that he is stripped of all titles as Othello's lieutenant. If the outward perception is good, inner character is assumed good, if the outward perception of a person is bad, no matter the true character of the person all hope is lost for being accepted well in society.
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