ipl-logo

Similarities Between Othello And The Iliad

482 Words2 Pages

In both Othello and The Iliad, reputation is a dominant theme that plays a crucial role in the lives of the characters. The impact of reputation on one's honor and standing in society is a central idea that is explored in both texts. Through literary analysis, this essay will explore the role of shame and its deleterious effects on the characters in both works.
In The Iliad, Achilles' reputation as a great warrior is constantly threatened by the actions of others. In Book 18, Achilles' anger towards Agamemnon leads him to withdraw from battle, causing shame in his reputation. "The best man, the greatest warrior by far, was kept back from the fighting - his heart was heavy with anger." (Book 18, Lines 123-125) This passage illustrates the importance of reputation as it affects Achilles' honor and standing in society. The literary element of characterization is used to emphasize Achilles' reputation as a great warrior. The writer's argument is that reputation is a crucial aspect of a person's honor and standing in society. …show more content…

In Act 3, Scene 3, Othello's reputation is threatened by Iago's false accusations. "My reputation, Iago, my reputation! I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial." (Act 3, Scene 3, Lines 165-167) This passage illustrates the importance of reputation as it affects Othello's honor and standing in society. The literary element of characterization is used to emphasize Othello's reputation as a respected military leader. The writer's argument is that reputation is a crucial aspect of a person's honor and standing in

Show More
Related

Othello Cultural Criticism Essay

439 Words | 2 Pages

Othello is the General of the Cyprus army with honest Iago by his side. During this time racism was happening and Othello was a part of it. Othello tried his best for everybody to like him; people would talk behind his back, call him names, and would eventually ruin his life. Iago was an ensign in the army, and his “good” friend, who would put lies into Othello's head, which eventually, he took control of Othello. In this essay Othello will display cultural criticism and how it displays him as a person in the story.

Read More

Theme Of Hospitality In The Iliad

448 Words | 2 Pages

However, Priam sought hospitality and mercy rather than revenge. Hospitality is also important because of its link with honor and glory, another common theme in the Iliad. By combining the theme of honor into situations that also relate to hospitality, characters can make concrete points and develop the story. Achilles, when being to rejoin the army by Phoenix in book nine, is hospitable, however, he is also concerned with his honor as Agamemnon had just dishonored him. The combination of these two themes allow Achilles to make the point that he will be hospitable to his friends and fellow soldiers but due to the slight on his honor he will not be able to forgive Agamemnon.

Read More

Examples Of Honor In Julius Caesar

693 Words | 3 Pages

One’s reputation is gathered by the honor bestowed on them. Throughout the ancient and modern world honor is envied by many. During the study and read of Julius Caesar, a Shakespearian play following the death of Pompey and Caesar’s downfall, many characters are tested to being honorable. The merit of having honor and being honorable are central themes within the play. Characters are affected by their decisions because of their lust for reputation.

Read More

Theme Of Sacrifice In Othello

565 Words | 3 Pages

William Shakespeare’s “Othello” was a great example to showcase sacrifices made by characters to accomplish revenge or obtain power. Shakespeare told the story of Othello, a tragic hero, who was manipulated by Iago, which motivated him to kill his own wife. From this story, Shakespeare’s main goal was to portray characters making sacrifices for their ambitions. From this play, Shakespeare puts forth the idea of sacrifice through pointing out the importance of reputation and how sacrifices must be made to silence the truth.

Read More

Othello Rhetoric Analysis

1095 Words | 5 Pages

With the laws of Venice miles behind them, the characters of Othello seem to have entered a Hobbesian state of nature where anything is permissible so long as it furthers the individual interest. Indeed, upon arriving in Cyprus, the majority of the characters have lives that are “poor, nasty, brutish, and short” (Hobbes 76). Othello is the perfect illustration of the dangers of rhetoric. Iago exemplified the type of rhetoric that made the Greek demagogues threatening.

Read More

Macbeth Vs Achilles

637 Words | 3 Pages

His honor is best evidenced by his refusal to forsake his comrades on the battlefield, even when he had an opportunity to escape. For instance, he refuses Patroclus’s pact agreement: “Run away by all means if your heart drives you, I will not entreat you to stay for my sake”. This refusal to abandon his friend Patroclus, despite the impending danger, illustrates Achilles' unwavering commitment to honor and loyalty. An analysis of this quote reveals Achilles' prioritization of duty over personal safety, emphasizing his adherence to his principles even in the face of great risk. On the other hand, Macbeth’s concept of honor is driven by excessive ambition and declining moral rules.

Read More

Masculinity In Troy

1246 Words | 5 Pages

From the portrayal of Achilles as a flawed and complex character, Troy contradicts traditional Greek notions of heroism and masculinity by emphasizing Achilles’ vulnerability and solidarity over stoic bravery. This does not indulge the importance of a heroic identity, including emotional and psychological complexity in the ancient Greco world. Wolfgang Peterson directed Troy in 2004 and took his own spin on the character Achilles, providing a new perspective of what a “hero” is. Peterson’s new personality of Achilles was part of a modernized hero epidemic, which had distinct differences from the classic Greco hero. Contrasting the ideas of modern heroes and ancient Greek heroes will show the highlights and downfalls of Peterson’s take on Achilles.

Read More

Importance Of Reputation In Othello

881 Words | 4 Pages

In a society reputation symbolizes who we are and what we stand for, a person's reputation can be seen as bad or good based on their behaviour and how they treat others. In the play Othello, reputation is a strong component that shapes how some of the characters base their decisions and respond to events that occur. There are many people in the world that have a good reputation but have created a plastic image of themselves that doesn't represent who they are as a person, the importance of social status has become such a key role in how people act and motivate them to work so hard just to have people think highly of them. In Othello, William Shakespeare demonstrates how one's reputation may not be how it appears, the character Iago appears

Read More

Essay On The Importance Of Reputation In The Crucible

436 Words | 2 Pages

 Egotistical, spiteful people can negatively change the reputation of others without any basis.  Reputation remains crucial to the Puritan people, many high school students, and others in society, but not to me.   Reputation maintains importance in society, yet personally, reputation remains insignificant.  Many people hold their reputation in high regard, but no one ever knows the true thoughts of others or the intentions behind their actions.   Lies, hateful individuals, drama, and misunderstandings can mar reputations.

Read More

The Importance Of Heroic Code In The Iliad

1570 Words | 7 Pages

In the epic poem, the Iliad written by Homer, several characters taking part in the warfare between the Achaeans and the Trojans are portrayed as embodying the heroic code of courage, physical strength, leadership, arete of value of honour, and the acceptance of fate. The heroic code is illustrated by the actions of the Trojan prince, Hector and the Achaeans strongest warrior, Achilles. Both of these characters display the Greek’s image of a hero, and can also let the reader discern what the society admires, looks up to and aspires to in its heroes. There are also characters who fail to be heroic, such as the Trojan “vivid and beautiful” prince, Paris. These characters in the Iliad illustrate the qualities that Ancient Greek society values.

Read More

Theme Of Honor In The Iliad

1396 Words | 6 Pages

Achilles is seen to be full of wrath in the beginning of the book. This wrath is not caused only because Agamemnon takes his prize of war. He is angry at the system which allows Agamemnon to play around with other people’s honors and the system which allows him to decide who gets how much honor. In other words, Achilles does not like the idea that someone else can decide what happens to his honor, despite him deserving most of the honor in relation to how much he contributes in war. As the story proceeds, Achilles seems to contradict himself a lot, and the concept of honor helps us understand this better.

Read More

Thesis Statement For Othello

494 Words | 2 Pages

Thesis Statement: Othello’s generosity and integrity, let the false accusations that Iago told him get to him because he was too focused on one part of the story that was being told. Forecast: As Othello kept listening to Iago 's lies he became very heated and ended up killing

Read More

How Othello's Character Changes

844 Words | 4 Pages

Othello’s character undergoes a significant change due to a series of events at the hands of Iago, the play’s antagonist to enhance the fact that even a valiant heroes can become corrupt. In the beginning of the play, Othello adores

Read More

Speech About Reputation In Othello

800 Words | 4 Pages

In Othello, we see how reputation is an important part of how people see Othello. After Othello slaps Desdemona we see how Lodovico doesn’t believe that Othello is the general everyone in Venice knows and respects. This is also shown on why you should care about reputation because someone may respect you but others might not. It can also show you what people may not like about you or why they like you. Reputation is a key to understand yourself too.

Read More

The Characteristics Of Achilles: The Hero Of Iliad

1512 Words | 7 Pages

Iliad is recognized as one of the most famous ancient monuments of literature. The full understanding of this epic poem is hardly possible without thorough analysis of its main characters. Among all the episodes of the Trojan War, Homer chooses the moment of Achilles’ wrath and thus creates a poem in which he becomes the central figure. From the Ancient Greeks’ point of view, Achilles represents the ideal of manliness and pure heroism, for he is brave and fights for heroics, not profits. Today, one can agree with this interpretation, yet Achilles is probably the most controversial character because he combines various personality traits and acts in accordance with his ambiguous nature.

Read More

More about Similarities Between Othello And The Iliad

Related Topics

Open Document