Othello has many strengths in his dual role as a man and leader of men. The traits for which he is most recognized in Venice are those that made him an excellent military commander. Othello's position as general is greatly respected due to his costly experience in fighting the Turks. He has been a career warrior for decades, accumulating numerous tales which he then passes on to Desemona, regaling her with "the battles, the sieges, the fortunes, / That I have lived through". (1.3.132-133) It is also certain that his military career was marked by significant success, for it seems certain that "[m]y services which I have rendered to the lord / Will exceed [Brabantio's] complaints" , even against a charge as serious as the theft of a precious virgin from a senator's house (1.2.18-19). It is these “services” that endear Othello so much to the Venetian Senate, but the means by which his victories were achieved were his personal virtues of leadership. One of them is Othello's great self-control. He is always slow to anger and does not take rash actions when leading his men. In the audience's first view of Othello as a leader, during his confrontation with Brabantio, Othello is not provoked by the angry father's insults, but rather calmly asks "[w]here do you want I go / To answer this charge?” (1.2.85-86) Brabantio has bluntly challenged Othello's honor, accusing him of witchcraft, and yet he withholds his sword and those of his men. He respects the Venetian rule of law and due process and volunteers to go to trial, demonstrating his control over his emotions and setting an example for his men. Othello has a distinct set of strengths as a man. He does not flaunt his achievements as a leader, being "unimpressed with dignitaries...... middle of paper ...]the world has changed a lot" (4.1.268). Still searching for a logical explanation for this barbarity, Lodovico asks: “[I]s his mind safe? Is he not light-minded? (4.1.269). Once again, Iago responds enigmatically with the illuminating remark: “[t]his is what he is” (4.1.270). In the absence of clarification, Lodovico can only think that what he has heard about Othello has been greatly exaggerated. Apparently, this Moor is not such a great man after all, and all Lodovico has to say is that "I am sorry I was mistaken in him" (4.1.282). 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. 5th ed. compact. New York: Longman, 2007. 930-1038.