How does this horrible tragedy occur?  First, we attribute the events to the cunning lying of Iago who is smarting from being overlooked at the time of promotion.  Second, Othello becomes jealous of his newly appointed lieutenant, Cassio, whom he becomes convinced is sleeping with Desdemona.  Third, Desdemona herself is unwisely drawn to try to influence her husband's administrative decisions. Finally, there is an absence of trust and understanding between the newly wedded couple.  They are certainly both in love, and there is an enormous sensual attraction between the two, but they have not developed the open and free communication necessary in a successful marriage.  This is not surprising since they have been married for such a short time, but we, the audience, yearn for them to sit, hold hands, look into each other's eyes and talk frankly about their feelings, fears, and anxieties.

The marriage begins on shaky ground.  Desdemona's father, Brabanzio, is furious his daughter has married a foreigner, a Moor, a black man.  I think it is the truly foreign element rather than the skin pigmentation, that angers Brabanzio.  He is also upset that they have not asked his permission, though clearly he would have denied them permission had they consulted him before the ceremony.  When Othello is ordered to Cyprus with his army to defend the island from Turkish attack, Brabanzio will not allow Desdemona to return to his house. "I will not have it so."  She, therefore, sails to Cyprus to join her new husband with the army.  But Brabanzio warns Othello that as Desdemona has been false to her father, so she may also be to her husband.  The first act ends as Iago and Roderigo plot to make her do just that.  The newly married couple is venturing into uncharted waters as the sharks circle their fragile boat. ...