Within Shakespeare’s Othello, the significance and importance of Desdemona’s handkerchief is a most, if not the most, apparent catalyst within the play. The handkerchief represents betrayal, marital fidelity, Othello’s love, Othello’s mysterious past, and as well, acts as a symbol of Desdemona herself. It is used by Iago to destroy Othello by playing on his insecurities and manipulatable vulnerabilities, to destroy Desdemona and her reputation, and as well, to destroy their marriage. Because of the importance of the handkerchief and the attributions given to it, it is easily used to create chaos and destruction, not only because of Iago’s impressive ability to manipulate, but because of Othello’s intense attachment to it and the value he has
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‘Perceived’ because while the betrayal seems real to Othello, we as the reader and audience know that reality has been influenced by Iago’s scheming, and that what Othello believes to be true is not. The overall representation of betrayal is caused by the combination of the other values attributed to the handkerchief; such as fidelity, love, and Othello’s past. While Iago has an uncanny ability to manipulate, the real issue comes from Othello’s insecurities and his intense value of the handkerchief. That is not to discredit Iago’s manipulation in any way, this observation is meant to show how he could notice and use this against Othello for his own devious plans. For example, in act three of the play, there is a point at which Othello sees and uses the handkerchief: “Your napkin is too little; / Let it alone. Come, I’ll go in with you” (III. III. 287-288). Using it to aid in relieving his headache, Othello physically holds the handkerchief. After giving it back to Desdemona, who drops it, it is picked up by Emilia. But, a few lines later when Iago, having gotten the handkerchief from his wife, is telling Othello that the very same handkerchief, “…did [he] to-day / See Cassio wipe his beard with” (III. III. 438-439), Othello is immediately pulled into this fabricated betrayal, seemingly forgetting that he had just used the handkerchief not long ago. But he forgets, completely, becoming too wrapped up in Iago’s lies and immediately going on the defensive, already having in his mind begun to think about how he can get his revenge on his wife for her
‘Perceived’ because while the betrayal seems real to Othello, we as the reader and audience know that reality has been influenced by Iago’s scheming, and that what Othello believes to be true is not. The overall representation of betrayal is caused by the combination of the other values attributed to the handkerchief; such as fidelity, love, and Othello’s past. While Iago has an uncanny ability to manipulate, the real issue comes from Othello’s insecurities and his intense value of the handkerchief. That is not to discredit Iago’s manipulation in any way, this observation is meant to show how he could notice and use this against Othello for his own devious plans. For example, in act three of the play, there is a point at which Othello sees and uses the handkerchief: “Your napkin is too little; / Let it alone. Come, I’ll go in with you” (III. III. 287-288). Using it to aid in relieving his headache, Othello physically holds the handkerchief. After giving it back to Desdemona, who drops it, it is picked up by Emilia. But, a few lines later when Iago, having gotten the handkerchief from his wife, is telling Othello that the very same handkerchief, “…did [he] to-day / See Cassio wipe his beard with” (III. III. 438-439), Othello is immediately pulled into this fabricated betrayal, seemingly forgetting that he had just used the handkerchief not long ago. But he forgets, completely, becoming too wrapped up in Iago’s lies and immediately going on the defensive, already having in his mind begun to think about how he can get his revenge on his wife for her