Brabantio says to Othello, “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee” (act 1, sc.3).  These lines are significant because they plant the first seed of doubt that blossoms into the forest of doubts that eventually consumes Othello. I wonder how differently he would have received Iago’s words had he not heard her father tell him that she may deceive him too. Iago only provides water to the seed; with every insinuation and hint of Desdemona’s infidelity, he fertilizes it. He sits back and enjoys himself as Othello dies inside. Consumed by his pain and eaten up by the thought that his worst fears had come true, Othello’s sense of self becomes tied to Desdemona.  The implications of Desdemona cheating would be detrimental to Othello’s reputation.  If Iago is right and she deceived him, then who is he? Maybe not be as great as he thought he was. Even worse, being in a position of power, his reputation is married to his ability to properly do his job.

Othello’s judgment becomes so clouded with doubts that seemingly innocent exchanges between Desdemona and Cassio cut him like a knife. Othello has proved that he is rational and intelligent, with the ability to think and speak clearly under pressure. There is no way Iago would have so easily misled him if the seed of doubt hadn’t already been planted.  He would have brushed Iago off like the annoying fly that he is. However, even the strongest ships get weathered in a storm. Othello starts out as a strong and sturdy ship. The incident with Brabantio is the first time Othello becomes compromised. Iago rages storm after storm until Othello is a shadow of the ship/man he was.

Chris Brown made the summer anthem Loyal, where repeats the lines, “these girls ain’t loyal” and had everyone singing along in agreement. Brabantio would have had this song on repeat on his ipod.

https://www.google.com/search?q=brabantio&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-mcu07evMAhWF9x4KHcoJBsAQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=+these+girls+aren%27t+loyal+&imgdii=ybYXswq7thRjqM%3A%3BybYXswq7thRjqM%3A%3Bv1YpWaGjDrw4EM%3A&imgrc=ybYXswq7thRjqM%3A