Brabantio

Play

Othello

Summary

A Venetian senator and Desdemona's father, Brabantio had welcomed Othello into his home and delighted in his warrior's tales — until Othello married Desdemona without his consent, which he interprets as an act of witchcraft that could only explain why his daughter would choose a Moor. Though the Duke's council dismisses his complaint, he warns Othello that "she has deceived her father, and may thee" — a seed Iago later cultivates with devastating effect. He does not survive to appear in the later acts; we are told he dies of grief over Desdemona's elopement.

Notable Quotations

"Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: / She has deceived her father, and may thee." *(1.3)*

"I had rather to adopt a child than get it." *(1.3)*

Cross-references

• Othello — the play
• Tragedies
• character_desdemona — his daughter
• character_othello — his son-in-law and the object of his outrage
• character_iago — who wakes him to spread chaos
• character_roderigo — his former suitor-ally