What attracts Othello to Desdemona?

Desdemona is in many ways the opposite of Othello: of an old established Venetian family, white, inexperienced and very young. Othello is middle-aged, black, widely experienced and a man without any pedigree at all in Venetian society. Her differentness may have attracted him to her at the outset, but he must also have noticed her wonderful openness, clarity of vision, unshakeable fidelity, courage and kindness. These characteristics would win him for longer than just her novelty.

The idea of being attracted to someone different as a novelty is used by Iago to undermine Othello's self-confidence. Iago tells Othello that once the novelty wears off, Desdemona will turn from Othello to other men, and Othello, who is a very humble man, is tempted to believe this because he does not see the many virtues which Desdemona really loves him for: his wisdom, experience, humility, equanimity, courage, fair-mindedness and his deep and genuine devotion to her.