Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 1, Scene 3. The Duke of Venice greets Othello warmly here, commenting on his bravery and his value to Venice and its people. The Duke’s appointment of Othello to lead the army in Cyprus to fight the invading Turks indicates the great respect in which the Moor is held. This is in contrast to other characters like Iago and Brabantio who use racist and offensive language to describe Othello.