Othello (Blog 4)
By: William Shakespeare

When we were introduced to this play in class, we were told to pay close attention to the mention of a handkerchief.  I thought it had been mentioned and I had missed it, but it finally appears in Act III!  I think that the handkerchief bears a great amount of symbolism.  Othello gave Desdemona a handkerchief as a symbol of his love.  This shows that its first meaning is the love that Othello has for Desdemona.  Unlike Brabantio's assumptions, he truly cares about Desdemona.  Later in Act III, though, Iago begins his cruel task to break up Othello and Desdemona.  He begins to tell Othello that he heard that Desdemona has had an affair with Cassio.  Unfortunately, Othello believes this lie.  When Desdemona drops the handkerchief, Emilia steals it to give to her husband.  Iago plans to use it by putting it in Cassio's house to make Othello jealous.  "I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, and let him find it.  Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of Holy Writ" (III.iii.322-325).  I think that the handkerchief is going to also symbolize the love that is probably going to be lost between Othello and Desdemona if Iago's plan executes properly.  Iago certainly proves that he is purely evil in this scene.