Othello has a variety of strengths in his dual role as a man and a leader of men. Those traits for which he is most recognized in Venice are those that make him an excellent military commander. Othello's rank of general is highly respected due to his costly experience fighting the Turks. He has been a career warrior for decades, accumulating many tales that he then passes on to Desemona, giving her "the battles, the sieges, the fortunes, / That I have overcome." (1.3.132-133) It is also certain that his military career was a significant success, as he seems certain that "[m]y services which I have rendered to the lordship / Will settle [Brabantio's] grievances", even against a a charge as serious as that of stealing a precious virgin from a senator's house (1.2.18-19). These "services" are what makes Othello so dear to the Venetian Senate, but the means by which his victories were achieved are his personal virtues of leadership. One of these is Othello's great self-control. He is always slow to anger and does not act rashly when leading his men. In the audience's first glimpse of Othello as a leader, during his confrontation with Brabantio, Othello is not provoked by his father's angry insults, but instead calmly asks "[w]here will you go / To answer this charge of yours?" (1.2.85-86) Brabantio has openly questioned Othello's honor, accusing him of witchcraft, yet he holds back his sword and those of his men. He respects the Venetian rule of law and due process and volunteers to go to a trial, demonstrating control of his emotions and setting an example for his men. Othello has a number of separate and distinct strengths as a man. He does not flaunt his successes as a leader, being “devoid of dignitaries…half the paper…]and is much changed” (4.1.268). Still searching for a logical explanation for this barbarity, Lodovico asks: “[is] his wits safe? isn't he light-brained?" (4.1.269). Once again Iago responds cryptically with the clarifying remark: “[h]e is what it is” (4.1.270). With no enlightenment coming, Lodovico can only think that what he heard about Othello was greatly exaggerated. Apparently this Moro is not all that great a man, and all Lodovico has left to say is that "I am sorry that I was deceived about him" (4.1.282). Works Cited Bradley, AC Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth. 2nd ed. London: Macmillan, 1905.Shakespeare, William. “Othello, the Moor of Venice”. Literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing. Ed. Dana Gioia and XJ Kennedy. Compact 5th edition. New York: Longmann, 2007. 930-1038.