Othello has a trusting nature that will bring about his downfall. He put his trust in Iago during times of war and during Othello's marriage to Desdemona. Although this wasn't very bright of Othello, even if he was not as naive or more cynical, it still would have been hard for him to discover that Iago was lying. Everyone considered Iago as honest, and it would be out of character for Othello to believe any different. Othello is unable to distinguish Iago"s appearance from his true nature. For example, while in the council chamber Othello had told the Duke, "So please your grace, my ancient; A man he is of honesty and trust. To his conveyance I assign my wife, With what else needful your good grace shall think, To be sent after me" (I, iii, lines 284-8).

             The control over any situation is one Othello's strong characteristics. Through the whole first act you can picture a powerful man with natural leadership ability, which makes it hard to believe that he would go to extremes because he is jealous. For example, when Lodovico had witnessed Othello hit Desdemona, he said:.

             "Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate.

             Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature.

             Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue.

             The shot of accident nor dart of chance.

             could neither graze nor pierce" (IV, i, lines 264-8)?.

             While Iago, being the honest man he is, answers:.

             "He's that he is, I may not breathe my censure.

             What he might be (if, what he might, he is not) .

             I would to heaven he were" (IV, i, lines 270-2).

             Another place where Shakespeare shows Othello taking control over .

             a situation is when Cassio and Montano are fighting after Roderigo antagonized him. These words Othello said are important now, but they will be more important later when he is alone with Desdemona in their bedroom. He will say:.

             "Now, by heaven, .

             My blood begins my safer guides to rule,.

             And passion, having my best judgement collied,.