The play Othello, by Shakespeare dives directly into the main plot beginning with a confrontation between Iago and Roderigo. Although they are squabbling what both men share in common is there hatred for Othello. They decide to work together on bringing him down by ending his marriage and killing his lieutenant, Cassio. Like many of Shakespeare’s plays the plot revolves around a relationship that seems to be headed somewhere tragic. Most of Act I discusses Othello’s wife, Desdemona, however she doesn’t actually appear until towards the end of the Act. The many male characters discuss women as being honorable and subjects to their father and then eventually the man that becomes their husband. This says a lot about how women were looked at during this time. Brabanzio, Desdemona’s father, says, “O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!” (Act I, Scene I, line 191) He is referring to his daughter getting outside of his protection and now becoming subject to another man, Othello. Later, Othello speaks about Desdemona, defending his relationship. The way he speaks about his wife saying, “I won his daughter.” (Act I, Scene 3, Line 111) mirrors the way Brabanzio talks about his daughter. It is as if they are in control of who she is with and what she does. I believe this first act sets the stage very well and shows a lot about the role of women and relationships during that time period.