Shakespeare's Othello illustrates the story of one man's self-destructive journey, Othello, through vicious lies and slander surrounding his loved ones. Who is to blame for this? While the play focuses heavily on the devious acts of “honest” Iago, Brabantio becomes the catalyst by warning Othello about Desdemona: “See her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. / He deceived his father, and may he” (I. iii. 294-295). The events that occur in other scenes of the first act lead Brabantio to utter that phrase that transforms Othello's mind. Brabantio is suddenly awakened by Roderigo and Iago telling Brabantio that his daughter, Desdemona, is marrying the dark-haired Othello without Brabantio's blessing. Iago shouts: “Even now, now, even now, an old black ram is riding your white ewe […]” (Ii 90-91). The harsh words creatively construct nefarious images in both the audience's and Brabantio's minds. Othello and Desdemona's open contempt for the laws of Venice deems them both morally corrupt in the eyes of Renaissance society. Like now, rules are not to be broken, but Renaissance people treated violators more harshly than today's society does. Shakespeare, by placing Brabantio in Othello, reflects the majority opinion during the Renaissance towards Desdemona's reckless behavior. Brabantio, with just cause, brings the matters of Othello and Desdemona to the Duke's court to receive a fair trial. Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft because Brabantio believes that his pure and beautiful Desdemona would never easily betray him on purpose: she has been mistreated, kidnapped by me and corrupted by spells and medicines bought from charlatans; Why does nature err so absurdly, not being deficient, blind or lame in sense, ... middle of paper ... in an unorthodox way. If it were not for Brabantio's negative outburst, Othello's little mind would acquire no doubts towards his beloved wife Desdemona, and the premise of Shakespeare's Othello would cease to exist. Works Cited"Explain this quote from Othello: Look at her, Moor, If you have eyes to see: ? She has deceived her father and may you ??? - Othello - Questions and Answers." ENotes: Literature study guides, lesson plans, and more. Network. October 23, 2011. "No Fear Shakespeare: Othello." Don't worry Shakespeare: Shakespeare's works plus a modern translation you can understand. Network. October 30, 2011. .Shakespeare, William and Kim F. Hall. Othello, the Moor of Venice: texts and contexts. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007. Print.