Brabantio: The Father Who Cannot Believe His Daughter Chose

Brabantio cannot accept that his daughter chose Othello freely. When Iago and Roderigo wake him in Act 1, Scene 1 to tell him Desdemona has eloped, his first response is to demand Roderigo marry her. Roderigo, whom he had previously turned away from his door. Any white Venetian is preferable to the man she actually married.

His accusation before the senate in Act 1, Scene 3 is that Othello used witchcraft: 'She is abused, stol'n from me and corrupted / By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks.' His logic is circular. Because Desdemona is a good girl who would not choose this, she must have been enchanted. Her actual testimony, that she chose Othello for herself, does not reach him.

He loses the case and exits with a threat: 'Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: she has deceived her father, and may thee.' His parting shot plants the seed of distrust that Iago will later water. He dies offstage of grief, according to Gratiano in Act 5, Scene 2. Shakespeare does not let him see the consequences of the doubt he introduced.