¶ … Led Right Virtually anyone who reads Shakespeare's tragedy Othello readily notices that despite his noble nature and good intentions, the title character of this work, Othello, is plagued by numerous faults which eventually lead to not only his own downfall, but also to that of his wife. Shakespeare portrays Othello as a good hearted man who is prone to fits of both anger and illness. However, his primary fault is his overall credulousness which, when combined with his previously mentioned faults, leaves him highly susceptible to the machinations of Iago -- one whose evil intentions a more discerning leader would have detected. It is due to Iago's intricate planning that Othello eventually believes that Desdemona is unfaithful to him, and kills her for that perceived transgression. However, all of Iago's cunningness would have gone for naught had Othello endeavored to be less gullible and trusting. Ultimately, it was this credulousness that Iago was able to exploit that resulted in Othello's murder of his beloved wife, Desdemona.

There are several instances in this dramatic work in which Othello's gullible nature rears itself and trusts blindly in the words of Iago. However, in order to truly demonstrate the fact that Othello's credulousness is his principle fault throughout the duration of this play, it is necessary to analyze Iago's plans for the former's destruction in order to see what role Othello's trusting nature plays in...

The following quotation suggests that Othelllo's gullible nature factored considerably in the Iago's machinations for him.
…to abuse Othello's ear

That he is too familiar with his wife.

The Moor is of a free and open nature,

That thinks men honest that but seem so,

And will as tenderly be led by the nose

As asses are. (Shakespeare, Act I Scene III).

This quotation demonstrates the fact that Iago is planning to make Othello believe that Cassio is committing acts of infidelity with Desdemona. More importantly, it illustrates how integral Othello's "nature," which is highly trusting and gullible, is to this plan. Iago believes Othello can be "led" the way that "asses are." This simile compares the Iago's planned manipulation of Othello to the literal way men can manipulate the behavior of brute animal. Iago will not literally manipulate Othello's thoughts and actions by his "nose," but instead will rely upon his principle fault -- that of being too gullible to produce the same effect.

Further examinations of the actions and thoughts of the characters in Othello emphasize the fact that the title character's principle fault that contributed to the death of his wife was his credulousness. A few brief exchanges of conversation with Iago are enough to place Othello's faith, which should have firmly entrenched itself with Desdemona, in the lying words of…