Othello is a blend of significance and faintness, in his own words "an honorable murderer" (V.2, 295). He was a defense general, and although he was a foreigner from Africa, Othello achieved his status by his skillfulness in the war. He was a man of intelligence and courage who, under pressure, could make an inspiring speech. Othello could have been considered a self-assured outsider who was intellectual in military matters but was somewhat socially insecure. He lead an intense life, wavering between success and fear. He was unlike those nearby him, because of his origins and his life history, but he shared their faith, principles, and loyalty to Venice. More notably, he is noticeably distinctive due to his skin color, so he lived physically