How is the handkerchief in Othello significant?

The handkerchief initially is a gift given to Desdemona by Othello as a love token. It is subsequently symbolically transformed into Desdemona’s bedsheets, which she uses to reveal her true innocence and fidelity to Othello; and finally, Desdemona requests that the bedsheets be used to cover her as a death shroud.

What is the importance of the handkerchief in Othello Act 3?

More immediately, to Othello the handkerchief represents Desdemona’s chastity, and her giving it away is a sign that she has given her body away. In Act III, scene iii, Iago mentions that the handkerchief’s much-discussed embroidery is a design of strawberries.

Why is the handkerchief so important to Othello quizlet?

Because Othello gave it to Desdemona as a first gift, the handkerchief functions as a token of his love, which Desdemona cherishes (3.3. 1). The handkerchief symbolizes Desdemona’s fidelity. When it shows up in Cassio’s possession, Othello is convinced that Desdemona is unfaithful.

Why does Othello mention the handkerchief so often?

Why does Othello mention the handkerchief so often? Othello mentions the handkerchief so often because it is the one thing that has “proved” that Desdemona had an affair with Cassio and is the key to all of his rage and suffering as he is about to kill his wife.

What did you mean by that same handkerchief?

What did you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the work? A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your chamber, and not know who left it there!

Why doesn’t Emilia tell Desdemona about the handkerchief?

The modern phrase for “Where should I lose” is “where could I have lost.” As Emilia mentioned in the previous scene, Desdemona always keeps that special handkerchief with her, and so she’s puzzled that she can’t remember where she left it. Emilia says that she doesn’t know where the handkerchief is. This is a lie.

Why is Bianca jealousy in Othello?

She too is accused falsely of treacherous behaviour (by Iago). Her unfounded jealousy mirrors Othello’s; but because she has no power she cannot assert her rights as the wronged party. The handkerchief causes Bianca the same anxiety that it causes the hero.

Who had the handkerchief at the end of Act 3 and why?

Who had the handkerchief at the end of Act III? Why? Cassio gave it to Bianca, his prostitute friend, for her to take out the design.

Who is responsible for Desdemona’s death essay?

Emilia is unwittingly responsible for Desdemona’s death because she is naïve about her husband’s actions; she is silent about the handkerchief and lacks courage to prove to Othello that Desdemona’s is innocent. Desdemona’s death is caused because Emilia is naive and has poor judgment of Iago.

Why does Othello look down at Iago’s feet?

Othello’s mention of looking at Iago’s feet suggests that he’s looking for cloven, or hooves, as many believe that the devil has cloven feet. Further, he asks the officials in Cyprus to ask Iago, whom he refers to as “that demi-devil,” why he has ruined Othello’s life.

What is the effect of Emilia silence about the handkerchief?

She asserts that when Emilia steals the handkerchief she acts in accord with the “wifely virtues of silence, obedience, and prudence” (Neely 1993:131), and that when she gives it to Iago, she is “thereby making herself subservient to him and placing her loyalty to her husband above affection for Desdemona.

Why is the handkerchief significant to Othello?

The handkerchief is significant in Othello, because it holds special meaning to Othello, Desdemona , and Iago. For Othello, the significance of the handkerchief is that it belonged to his mother and it was ” bewitched ” with magic. The handkerchief held special magic and power.

What does the handkerchief in Othello symbolize?

The handkerchief appears in Act III of the play and is a particularly important part in the plot of the play. It helps weave the entire story together. The handkerchief symbolizes Othello’s love and trust to Desdemona and Desdemona’s marital fidelity to Othello.

What role does the handkerchief play in Othello?

The handkerchief, a gift to Desdemona from Othello, symbolizes so much more than a mere token of affection. To Othello, the handkerchief symbolizes fidelity and his giving it to Desdemona represents a promise that he will be true to her, and a request that she stay true to him.

Who gave the handkerchief to Othello’s mother?

An Egyptian sorceress gave it to his mother and told her that it would make her desirable and keep Othello’s father loyal, but if she lost it or gave it away, Othello’s father would leave her. Othello’s mother gave him the magic handkerchief on her deathbed, instructing him to give it to the woman he desired to marry.

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