Othello Act 1 Scene 3 and Act 2 Scenes 1 and 2

In Act 1 Scene 3 of Othello, Brabantio is determined to see Othello get punished. The Venetian council is having a meeting when Brabantio bursts in complaining that his daughter has been taken from him: "She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted by spells and medicines bought of mountebanks; For nature so prepost'rously to err, being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, sans witchcraft could not." (I.iii.59-64). I think Brabantio is suggesting that Othello practices witchcraft and he somehow got Desdemona to fall in love with him using spells. This is very stereotypical because Brabantio thinks Othello practices witchcraft because of his skin color. Othello argues that he earned Desdemona's love by saying: "Of my whole course of love--what drugs, what charms, what conjuration, and what mighty magic, for such proceeding I am charged withal, I won his daughter." (I.iii.91-93). Othello says that he didn't put a spell on Desdemona and that she fell in love with him on her own. Brabantio comes back with saying that Desdemona would never fall in love with someone like Othello because she was shy and timid: "A maiden never bold, of spirit so still and quiet that her motion blushed at herself; and she, in spite of nature, of years, of country, credit, everything, to fall in love with what she feared to look on!" (I.iii.94-98). Othello says that "Her father loved me; oft invited me; still questioned me the story of my life." (I.iii. 127-128) and says that Desdemona fell in love with him because of his stories: "And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, and that would woo her." (I.iii.163-165). Desdemona finally comes in and proclaims her love for Othello: "But here's my husband and so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord." (I.iii.183-187). It seems like Brabantio is in denial and needs the final word from his daughter. But if Othello used magic to make Desdemona fall in love with him like Brabantio suggested, the couldn't he cast a spell on her to make her say that she's truly in love with him? It just doesn't make sense to me.
When Othello and Desdemona exit, Roderigo is all depressed because Desdemona doesn't love him: "I will incontinently drown myself." (I.iii.300). Iago gets mad at him and says: "It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will. Come, be a man! Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies!" (I.iii.330-332). Iago tell Roderigo constantly to "put money in thy purse" and it's not the end of the world if Desdemona doesn't love him.
In Act 2 Scene 1 Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo and Emilia arrive. Iago makes a rude comment about his wife: "Sir, would she give you so much of her lips as of her tongue she oft bestows on me, you would have enough." (II.i.100-102). This is suggesting that she talks too much. He also says: "Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk; You rise to play, and go to bed to work." (II.i.112-113). Iago seems to have little respect for his wife and women in general. Cassio then takes Desdemona aside by the hand and Iago thinks there is more going on than meets the eye: "He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio." (II.i.165-167). Othello arrives with the news that the Turks have drowned. At the end of the scene Iago has a soliloquy. He says that he loves Desdemona and wants to get even with Othello because he had an affair with Emilia: "Now I do love her too; Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure I stand accountant for as great a sin, but partly led to diet my revenge, for that I do suspect the lusty Moor hath leaped into my seat." (II.i.291-296).
Nothing much happens in Act 2 Scene 2 but Othello's herald announces the fall of the Turks and the marriage of Othello and Desdemona. After reading so far I'm beginning to think that Iago is truly evil and will stop at nothing to separate Othello and Desdemona. I just hope Othello sees it in time time to try and save his marriage!