The Moor's obsession with his reputation as a "brave" and leader and as a respected and proven defender of the Venetian state, and the importance he placed on public image, blinded his decision making . His sentiment "speak of me as I am" reveals that Othello to the end is fixated on how he is perceived and tries to convince the audience that he should be remembered as a noble, loyal and courageous gentleman "an honorable murderer", “for nothing have I done in hatred, but all in honor." When faced with the prospect that his reputation may be tarnished by his wife's infidelity and Cassio's betrayal, he professes that for the sake of his and his wife's reputations Cassio and Desdemona must be killed. Othello is also “stupidly and brutally” selfish (leavis), who despite the situation always sees himself as the captain of men. This becomes evident when, faced with the capture of Brabantio and his men, he calmly orders the men to "keep your swords shining, for the dew will rust".