Brabantio

Who He Is

Brabantio is a Venetian senator, father of Desdemona. He had already forbidden Roderigo to hang around the house, and is woken at night by Iago with the news that his daughter has run off with the Moor. He accuses Othello of witchcraft, loses in the Senate and gives up his daughter with a warning that Iago will reuse against Desdemona: whoever deceived the father can deceive the husband. He does not appear again. In scene 2 of Act V, Gratiano says that he died of grief over the marriage.

Trajectory

In scene 1 of Act I, Roderigo and Iago shout under Brabantio's window, and Iago wakes him with images of animal mating. Brabantio recognizes Roderigo and reprimands him: he had already forbidden him to come near the door, and the daughter is not for him. When Iago steps away, Brabantio returns in his nightshirt and confirms that the daughter is gone. He says all that remains to him is bitterness, warns fathers not to trust what their daughters appear to be doing, speaks of spells capable of abusing a young woman's honor and decorum, orders his brother summoned, the household woken and the night watch called. He sets off with Roderigo and armed servants.

Iago's speech that wakes him:

In scene 2 of Act I, he arrives with Roderigo and officers with torches and weapons, and Othello orders the swords put away and tells him that his age inspires more command than arms. Brabantio calls Othello a thief and says that the daughter, beautiful, tender and averse to marriage, would never have chosen him without a spell. He calls for his arrest for potions and forbidden arts. When he learns that the Duke has convened the council, he takes Othello with him and says that the Duke and the peers will not tolerate the offense, or the State will be governed by servants and pagans.

In scene 3 of Act I, he arrives at the Senate and declares that personal grief devours all other grief. His daughter, he says, was stolen and corrupted by philters, because her essence, without witchcraft, would not commit so gross an error. Desdemona is heard, saying she has a divided duty, and Brabantio yields, gives Othello with all his heart what he would have denied him if she were not already his, and says he is glad not to have other children, for the flight would teach him to be a tyrant and to chain them. When the Duke tries to console him with maxims in couplets, he replies that then the Turks may have Cyprus. Before leaving, he warns Othello to keep watch, for whoever deceived the father can deceive the husband.

In scene 2 of Act V, he is only mentioned: Gratiano, the niece's uncle, looks at the body of his niece and says he is glad the father is dead, because the union was fatal to him and pure grief cut the thread of his life.

Relationships

• Desdemona: the daughter, whom he says is lost to him and gives to Othello with bitterness. She answers him that her duty is divided.
• Othello: the son-in-law, whom he accuses of witchcraft, loses to in the Senate and warns.
• Roderigo: the suitor he had forbidden to hang around the house, who helps him look for Othello.
• Iago: the ensign who wakes him with shouts and steps away before he returns.