The control over any situation is one Othello's strong characteristics. Through the whole first act you can picture a man so much power and natural leadership and when he changes you cannot believe it. For example, when Lodovico had witnessedOthello 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 iswhen Cassio and Montano are fighting after Roderigo antagonized him. Thesewords Othello said are important now, but they will be more important later whenhe 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, Assays to lead the way. If I once stir Or do but lift this arm, the best of you Shall sink in my rebuke" (II, iii, lines 203-8). You must feel sorrow for Othello because with all the power he has and the endless trust he gives, you try to reach out and show him the truth. By having his ancient or friend, Honest Iago bring him the news of his wife's bad habits. Othello had no alternative but to believe him. If any man was brought news of this type they would surely go off the deep end. Iago not only told him but he told him in a way that it was hard not to believe. He didn't tell a couple who have been married for years, and who would know the likes and dislikes of one another, but he told a newly wed couple. Othello didn't really know Desdemona before they were married. Othello said, "She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she di...
