Trust is an essential part of a peaceful society. The way people act decides whether they are trustworthy or not. One who manipulates trust to deceive people is to blame for the disturbance. Those who places trust in the wrong person are also to blame. Placing trust in an unworthy person is the initial fault as it opens the protagonist to deception. Thus they base their actions according to the false information which condemns them. The person who is to blame is viewed as a villain rather than a hero. The object of the misplaced trust is decides to what extent they are to blame. Othello and Faustus place their trust in unworthy people. Othello is a trusting man, causing him to trust a deceiver who wishes him harm. Iago explains his plan for Othello in this way,
“After some time, abuse Othello’s ears/ that he is too familiar with his wife./ To be suspected—framed to make women false./ The Moor is of free and open nature/ that thinks men honest that but seem to be so;/ and will as tenderly be led by th’nose/ as asses are./” (A1 S3 L390-393).
Iago plots to manipulate Othello when he states he will abuse Othello’s ears. He states that he will convince Othello that Cassio is having an affair with his wife and describes that he picked Cassio because he seems like the type of man to commit this offence. This quote also shows the excessive trusting nature of Othello. Iago believes that it would be simple to deceive Othello because Othello is honest to the point where he believes no one is dishonest. Iago will be able to lead Othello into believing Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. Iago’s plan would cause the downfall of Cassio and Othello which is perfect for Iago’s motives. Othello’s trusting personality causes him to misplace his trust in a deceiver, which is the beginning of his downfall. Othello’s flaw of trusting is an excess of a good trait, placing more blame onto Iago. Faustus