Shakespeare's Othello is a tragedy in which the black war hero, Othello, murders his wife, Desdemona, because he comes to believe Desdemona is being unfaithful to their marriage. Throughout the play it is Iago, the absolute villain, who festers jealousy in Othello by first introducing the idea of Desdemona's unfaithfulness, by providing false evidence, and by manipulating situations that eventually lead Othello to believe that Desdemona is in fact being unfaithful with Cassio, Ohtello's lieutenant. As a result, many readers come to believe that it is Iago who is responsible for the outcome of the tragedy. However, further analysis of the play indicates that complete responsibility should be given to Othello for being so readily credulous of Iago's words over both Desdemona's and Emilia's denial of the accusations against Desdemona. It seems that Othello was more willing to believe Iago, a man who is part of the military structure, than either his wife, or her attendant, two women. Therefore, what led to the tragic end of the play was not Iago's exploitation of "the moor's" feelings, but rather Othello's inability to separate his military background and the issues of the state from his life with Desdemona.
             Throughout the play, Othello constantly associates his relationship with Desdemona with the affairs of the state, or with his military victories. He seems not to be able to separate personal life from military life. From the beginning of the play it is evident that Othello believes that his military qualifications and experience are the most important justification for his wedding with Desdemona. From even one of the earlier scenes of the play, Othello says to Brabantio that the reasons why his daughter fell in love with him were all the battles and suffering he had gone through. He says: "She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd, And I loved her that she did pity them...