A central tenet of Othello is the concept of right judgement, and to always use it when making decisions. The so-called "hierarchy of right judgement" can illustrate the renaissance definition of right judgement. Governing all is reason, which includes understanding and will. Below reason are common sense, memory, and imagination. Finally, at the bottom are the 5 senses, emotions, and passions. In order to judge rightly, it was believed that reason had to govern all else. Right judgement could never occur if only one item was relied upon to make the decision. In Othello, Shakespeare uses this concept to demonstrate how right judgement occurs and the consequences when it does not.
             The first scene in which right judgement is used is when the Duke makes a decision as to what should be done about the expected Turkish invasion. He does not immediately act on the information he receives, instead, he thinks out the steps logically. When he states, "I do not so secure me in the error, but the main article I do approve in the fearful sense (I 3 12-14)." He is showing that he will not rely solely on the information he is receiving, but also use common sense, memory, and understanding, and therefore judge rightly. Only after right judgement was used did he take action, and therefore avoid disaster. The Duke is a model of right judgement that can be compared to other characters in the play to show their weaknesses and shortcomings.
             In the same scene, right judgement is demonstrated again by the Duke, when he is faced with the mater of Othello marrying Desdemona. Initially, the Duke rejects wise judgement by promising to allow Brabantio to sentence whoever had done this to whatever punishment he saw fit, without analyzing the situation further, and without even knowing who that man was. However, upon assessing the situation more, he realizes the consequences of not using right judgement, and, after hearing all sides ...