" (V.ii.292) We must also remember that upon discovering Desdemona's innocence, he kills himself, bringing the same justice upon himself that he had bestowed on Desdemona. One could argue that despite doing seemingly atrocious things, he succeeds in preserving his honour.
Similarly, in Much Ado About Nothing, Claudio's dishonourable actions are due to his concern with honour, especially the male "code of honour". One critic said "What Claudio is really interested in is a good and suitable marriage" (C.T. Prouty, The Sources of Much Ado About Nothing). This is supported when deceived into thinking Hero has been unfaithful He feels more betrayed by Leonato than by Hero, saying, "Give not this rotten orange to your friend" (IV.i.30). The metaphor of the "rotten orange" implies that a once sweet and pure Hero is now spoiled. Unlike Othello, whose actions are intended to preserve not only his own honour, but also Desdemona's, Claudio's behaviour is an attempt to uphold his relationship with Leonato, not Hero. This is suggested when, upon discovering Hero's "death", he agrees to marry her cousin as a way of repaying Leonato, thus restoring the male camaraderie.
Cassio's concern with honour is apparent in the scene in which he is dismissed by Othello (act 2, scene 3). He laments his loss of honour with the following speech:.
Reputation, reputation, reputation! O I have lost my reputation. I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial.
(II.iii.255).
The repetition of the word "reputation" and the interjection "O" shows a dramatic and intense shame. "What remains is bestial" refers to the chain of being. This was the Elizabethan belief in the ranking of all forms of life. Cassio believed that losing his honour was equal to losing his humanity and falling to the rank of an animal. This belief in the chain of being is also shown in his attitude towards women.