Here is a quote from Act I.ii:

From men of royal siege; and my demerits
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune (25)
As this that I have reach'd. For know, Iago,
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea's worth.

In this quote, Othello is speaking to Iago. Roughly translated, Othello is telling Iago that even though he has great reputation, honor, wealth, and freedom, his strongest value is Desdemona. He would give it all up to have her if any of it had to be taken from him. It is important that he says this in the beginning of the story because his desire to remain faithful to Desdemona is going to be questioned as the story continues. This quote is an ironic foreshadowing of events to come.