Kharley Foster
ENG 2322
Mrs.Weinzapel
16 November 2011
**I have to write an essay over “Discuss how the handkerchief becomes a powerful symbol in this play. Is there any irony in the significance and power Othello attaches to it and its function in the plot?” and I need help not making it such a summary. **
Importance of handkerchief
Throughout someone’s life, there is always something that they may cherish more than other things. It could be something that was handed down to them or something they purchased with their own money. However, in Othello, this object is a handkerchief; it is shown to have a greater meaning then life itself. The handkerchief is a major part of the play. It symbolizes love, commitment, marital fidelity, and proof. During the play, everything that takes place is reflected off the handkerchief.
The handkerchief was a special gift to Othello from his parents. It was given to his parents from a 200 year old sibyl, and it’s what kept his parents committed to one another during their marriage. Othello thought that whoever he gave it to, it would have the same powers, and it would keep them together for life. Othello gives the handkerchief to Desdemona as his first gift to her. She says that she will keep it beside her at all times to “To kiss and talk to” (Shakespeare 1320) when Othello isn’t around. The handkerchief is white with red strawberries all over it. The strawberries represent white wedding sheets stained with virginal blood, and if she ever loses the handkerchief then she will lose his love. For Desdemona, the handkerchief represents everlasting love. Since Othello was gracious enough to give it to her, she believed that they would be together forever and nothing could some between them, however, this didn’t last very long.
Throughout the play we are able to see the handkerchief, before we actually know about the true importance to Othello. It is known to be Othello’s first gift to Desdemona, but it is first shown; right after Iago plants a strong suspicion in Othello's mind about Desdemona having an affair. Without questioning Desdemona about this, he assumes it is true and begins to become extremely jealous sending him into an epilepsy fit, and causes him to become so choked up that when he sees Desdemona he doesn’t even want to speak to her. However Desdemona isn’t aware of what is actually taking place and pulls out her handkerchief and wipes his sweat away. Having the thought of her cheating only makes him angrier. He says “Your napkin is too little. Let it alone” and drops the handkerchief away from him (1319).
Later, Emilia see’s the handkerchief on the ground and knows that her husband, Iago, has been wanting it for the longest time, “My wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me to steal it” (1319). With Emilia deciding to steal it, it causes a huge fight between everyone. Emilia isn’t aware of what she is actually going to cause to happen. Emilia gives it to her husband, and his plan to make Othello think Desdemona is cheating on her is now able to seem true. With Iago having the handkerchief it symbolizes power and control. Iago has power to do whatever he chooses to do with the handkerchief, and he has control over what Othello will believe because he now has to power of Othello’s marriage in his own hands.
Iago decides to do the worse with the handkerchief. When Iago has the handkerchief in his hands it also symbolizes revenge. Revenge is something that Iago always set out to do, since Othello beat him and go the title of the Moor. Later on when Othello becomes aware that Desdemona doesn’t have the handkerchief, it automatically means she isn’t faithful anymore. This is ironic because at the end of the play Desdemona is the only person that remains faithful to everyone, no matter what they did to her.
For every person that touched the handkerchief it had a different meaning, and none of them were the same. It ironic that one piece of material could have a huge impact on the way that things turn out. One person and one handkerchief cause four innocent people to die. This teaches us that no matter what we shouldn’t always believe the people that we think are actually good friends, and if you really love someone don’t always think about the worst that they could be doing.