Othello and Desdemona's short-lived marriage was very unusual. Othello being a poor moor marries a rich Venetian women. Although Othello has fought hard for the position of General, he is still a black man. Moreover, Desdemona is the white daughter of a wealthy family. Their elopement is not taken well.
             When we first meet Othello and Desdemona they are returning from their elopement. This is unique in this place and time. It is a ritual for the man to ask the father for the women's hand in marriage. Desdemona comes from a wealthy family, and this would have been expected. It only seems right of Othello to see to it that this ceremony was performed. Desdemona was also bold to have chosen her own husband and then eloped with him.
             Their love started out with Othello telling her stories about his experiences with war. Desdemona loved hearing these stories, Othello states that "she loved me for the dangers I had passed, And I loved her that she did pity them." (I.3.168-169) Desdemona loves Othello for the hard times he has seen in the past, the battles he has fought, both in war and to become the man he is now. He loves her simply because her kind heart understood those battles and felt sorry for the pain he had to go through to become the person he is now.
             Othello has come to be a very commanding, smart, and self-confidant person. His job requires it. He is used to leading troops into battle and fighting for his own self-respect. Othello
             sees those same qualities in Desdemona; she shows how commanding and smart she is when she answers her father:
             "To you I am bound for life and education;/ My life and education both do learn me/ How
             to respect you. You are the lord of duty;/ I am hitherto your daughter. But here's my
             husband, and so much duty as my mother showed to you/ preferring you before her
             ...