Othello is a deeply complex character, and this is what makes him so compelling. He's a brave man, courageous soldier, and inspiring leader of men. Despite being an outsider on account of his race, he's risen to the top due to a combination of intelligence and outstanding ability. Yet for all his evident success, Othello remains deeply insecure, and this proves to be his Achilles' heel. And Iago knows this, which is why he plays upon Othello's insecurities—both social and racial—in carrying out his wicked plot. Thanks to Iago's snide insinuations and innuendo Othello comes to believe—incorrectly—that Desdemona has been cheating on him. His chronic jealousy leads to his killing her, an act of cowardice completely at odds with his heroism on the field of battle.
Whatever else we may think of him, it cannot be denied that Iago is a psychologist of genius; he knows just what makes Othello tick. But then Iago is able to do this because he too is an outsider in Verona; he too is deeply insecure; and so he understands precisely what he needs to do to exploit that insecurity to the full to get what he wants.
Othello is a man who is highly competent in his job as military leader. He is honored and awarded for his abilities on the battlefield. He has confidence in himself as a commander.
Othello is, however, very insecure about his basic attractiveness and lovability. He knows he is a black man, which is considered less attractive than being white in Venetian society. He is middle-aged and full of self doubts about whether a beautiful young woman like Desdemona can truly love him. He is a study in contrasts—supremely confident in his career, utterly insecure in his domestic life.
The intuitive Iago recognizes that Othello's insecurity about whether or not Desdemona truly loves him is his most vulnerable point. Determined to destroy Othello, he attacks him at his weak point and does everything he can to drive a wedge into the relationship and convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Iago also plays on ideas common in Venice that all women are inherently unfaithful. It is part of the social world Othello lives in to trust men more than women, and this has its influence on Othello's character. Eventually, it is the combination of Iago's manipulations and Othello's own self doubts that cause his undoing.
Othello is a respected, talented general, known for his fearless exploits and leadership in battle. Although he valiantly serves the country of Venice, he is considered an outsider because he is a Moor. In contrast to his courageous, aggressive demeanor on the battlefield, Othello is romantic. In Act One, Scene 3, Othello articulately describes how he won Desdemona's affection by telling his riveting adventure stories to her. Despite Othello's prestige and authority, he is self-conscience and naive. Othello knows that he is an aging man, who is not particularly attractive. Iago manipulates Othello's insecurities by convincing him that Desdemona is having an affair with Michael Cassio. Othello's naive nature is illustrated in his trust for the malevolent Iago. However, it is Othello's jealous nature that is considered his tragic flaw. Overwhelmed with his insecurities, Othello believes Iago's story and cannot control his jealousy. In a fit of rage, Othello ends up smothering Desdemona.
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