After much
dishonesty and false accusations, Othello tells Desdemona of what the
handkerchief means to him and why he gave it to her. Since she lost it when she
dropped it on the ground and Emilia proceeded to pick it up and give it to Iago
(for more lying and deceit), Othello wants to make Desdemona feel as bad as
possible about losing it. He tells her that an Egyptian gave it to his mother
which would make her desirable and “subdue [Othello’s] father entirely to her
love” (3.4.59-60). But if she lost it,
then her husband could move on to other women and forget about her. Basically
he is telling Desdemona that he has the right to move on to other women because
she lost it.
No one
knows if any of that was made up or it was actually accurate, but it seemed to
fit in with what was happening in the story a little too well. If that story is
true, than the handkerchief could have been a symbol of his loyalty much like a
ring would symbolize in modern times. And since she lost it, it meant she was
being unfaithful and therefore did not love Othello anymore.
Once
Desdemona finally gave a response as to what happened to the handkerchief, she
proceeded to tell Othello of her mistake in losing it. “Sure, there is some
wonder in this handkerchief; I am most unhappy in the loss of it”
(3.4.101-102). With no idea of the accusations being made behind her back,
Desdemona apologizes and does not know what happened to it, but without reading
on, we assume that this marriage is over and Cassio will be killed due to his “affair”
with Desdemona. Shouldn’t have lost that handkerchief, Desdemona.
Questions:
Is Bianca only put in the story to show that Cassio is possible of being
promiscuous? Or is she put in there to show how low class he is and how he
could never sleep with Desdemona?
Does anyone
think that Othello is the reason for this handkerchief drama because he was the
one who told her that her handkerchief was too small which prompted her to drop
it and lose it?
I find the handkerchief particularly interesting. It's obviously significantly important to Othello, and seems to be the only connection to his past home and culture. Othello may be well-respected in Venice but he's still a foreigner and probably misses his old home and family greatly, especially considering all of the racial remarks that people around him say which make him feel like even more of an outsider, and then for Desdemona to lose something so important to him is a sign that he can't necessarily trust her.
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