Essay: Explore Shakespeare’s “Othello” – Symbolic Power of the Handkerchief and Jealousy Effect

William Shakespeare, author of Othello, “was a well- known playwright author in the 1590s and is still popular today” (William). Shakespeare’s renowned works of tragic literature are no stranger to violence and death, and his play Othello is no exception. Instead of representing love, the handkerchief becomes the definitive test of love. In this story, there is a disagreement between two things of the love symbol/symbolic as the story. Othello narrates to Desdemona about how the handkerchief entangles the sex-related sudden desire on relationships and brings to the front just those worries which such a promise to follow orders and promise of love’ is meant to drive away. Otello has essentially laid the foundation of his own trap by creating an unrealistic belief in the powers of an inanimate object and imposing this belief on Desdemona. In Shakespeare’s “Othello,” the handkerchief becomes very symbolic to the characters in the play. It is significant in the plot arguably being the final hit on Othello’s dignity ultimately causing his downfall. The handkerchief can also be the tool of destruction that Iago uses to initiate the final part of his evil plan. Eventually, Iago gives Othello the motive to murder his own innocent wife, satisfying his immense appetite for revenge.
First, the handkerchief was the first gift Desdemona received from Othello; she keeps it about her as a symbol of Othello’s love. Othello sees the handkerchief as his heritage and marital fidelity. Othello says, “that handkerchief/ Did an Egyptian to my mother give” (III.4.53-54). He continues, “while she kept it, ‘Twould make her amiable, and subdue my father Entirely to her love: but if she lost it, or made gift of it, my father’s eye should hold her” (III.4.56-60). Because Othello sees great symbolic importance in the handkerchief, Iago has good reason to use it for his own evil purposes. Iago manipulates the handkerchief so that Othello comes to see it as a symbol of Desdemona herself—her faith and chastity. By taking possession of it, he can convert it as proof that she is cheating on him. When Emilia finds it, she gives it to Iago because he is her husband, she wants to please him. Emilia sees the handkerchief as an advantage in the two separate relationships. She wants to have the copy so that she can return both the handkerchief to Desdemona and provide her husband with that which he desires. In this she would keep her master’s love and good will as well as have a tool for power on her husband. The latter is demonstrated a few lines later when Emilia asks Iago, “What will you give me now / For that same handkerchief?” (III.3.350-351). Emilia feels symbolic power onto the handkerchief as it can provide security and even power in the two most significant relationships in her life. Iago controls the meaning of the handkerchief. He makes this symbol of love and trust into one of unfaithfulness and betrayal. When it shows up in Cassio’s possession, Othello is convinced that Desdemona is unfaithful. Othello is completely undone by the loss of the handkerchief, because it represents the loss of Desdemona.
Second, one could argue that Othello’s tragic flaw is jealousy. Othello considers Iago to be trustworthy and Iago uses this to his advantage. “Iago is most honest” (I.3.652). Othello trusts the manipulative Iago, who is dedicated to causing his downfall. “He persuades Othello that his young wife is having an affair” (Harewood). Iago plants seed of doubt in his heart regarding Desdemona. He convinces Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona, which sparks Othello’s jealousy. When Othello asks Desdemona for her hand, he says “this hand is moist, my lady” (III.4.2213) suggesting that Othello is suspicious but not yet furious at Desdemona. His jealousy is also fueled by his self-doubt and low self-esteem regarding his acceptance into society. Iago is aware that Othello is a social outcast in Venetian society and his low self-esteem. Othello knows that he is a lot older and not as attractive as Cassio. Iago tells him Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after” (I.1.1019). Despite being initially dismissive, Othello eventually demands ocular proof of his wife’s infidelity. “Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore, be sure of it; give me the ocular proof” (III.3.2036). Iago then goes on to tell Othello that he overheard Cassio talking in his sleep about his relations with Desdemona. This serves to further enrage Othello and deepen his suspicion that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him with Cassio. Something as circumstantial as the handkerchief that Othello gave Desdemona becomes significant when she no longer possesses it. Iago uses the absent handkerchief to further influence Othello into believing that his wife is unfaithful. Unfortunately, Othello cannot see past his wife’s apparent infidelity and ends up smothering her out of jealousy.
Lastly, Iago’s evil plan finally comes to fruition when his wife Emilia, who also serves as a loyal servant and confidante to Desdemona, finds the fallen handkerchief that Othello gives to Desdemona as a symbol of their marriage and love. Emilia, knowing that Iago has always sought after the handkerchief and wanting to please him, gives it to Iago, who in turn places it in Cassio’s lodging to make it look like Desdemona is having an affair with him. Iago plants the handkerchief in Cassio’s room in order to fuel Othello’s suspicions. Iago then tells Othello that he has seen the handkerchief in Cassio’s possession. “I know not that; but such a handkerchief— I am sure it was your wife’s—did I to-day see Cassio wipe his beard with (III.3.2121). To restore the reputation Iago has sullied into Othello’s eyes, he tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to help him get his job back to make it seem as though they are having an affair. Iago plans to intensify Othello’s doubts by having him see Desdemona and Cassio together. “Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure” (III.3.1845). When Iago leads Othello to discover Cassio with the handkerchief, Othello, filled with a jealous rage, finally vows to kill both Desdemona and Cassio; feeling betrayed and humiliated, Othello resorts to smothering Desdemona upon the bed made with their wedding sheets, ending her life in spite of her pleas to live and explain herself.
Throughout Shakespeare’s masterly crafted tragedy Othello, several characters are subjected to violent and unnecessary endings, but no more so than the two female characters, Desdemona and Emilia. Both women are murdered by their husbands as punishment for existing, but not before each is able to influence a considerable part of the distinguished play’s sequence of events. Othello then kills himself because he murdered his wife and then learned that she was innocent. Nonetheless, Iago’s evil plan came into play and his immense appetite for revenge was satisfied.