The plot of the play hinges on the loss of a handkerchief Othello gave to Desdemona. Two little deceptions – Emilia's stealing of the handkerchief and Desdemona's lie to Othello that it is not lost – cement Desdemona's doom. What does it mean that such a little object has such a huge impact on Othello's mind? What dramatic effect does this produce? Do you think that, in a situation of jealousy, even a handkerchief could sway someone's opinion one way or another? Is the importance of the handkerchief in the play believable?
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• The meaning of the lost object and Desdemona’s lie signals that Othello may doubt everything he thinks he knows and believe the doubts that Iago has been whispering in his ear. I believe with all the worrying and doubting that Othello did, it is believable that a handkerchief could sway his opinion about his love and may cause him to be intoxicated and not think clearly.
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The handkerchief played a huge role in Othello's mind because of it's sentimental value. That handkerchief-according to Othello in Act 3, Scene 4- was a gift that was said to keep whoever held it in love with their spouse. To Othello, this meant keeping Desdemona. That is very important and would explain him being irate at Desdemona's misplacement and lying. Yes it is possible that a handkerchief could sway an opinion because of the fact that people do believe in superstition and myth. The handkerchief was one of the many factors in the play, it wasn't the main one, thus it is easily believable that it had such an importance.
ReplyDeleteIn Act 3 Scene 4 Othello explains to Desdemona the sentimental value that the handkerchief-that was given to his mother by a charmer-holds and that as long as his mother was in possession of the handkerchief it would make her appealing it the eyes Othello's father. However if the handkerchief was stolen, misplaced, or given away to another man Othello's father would turn to hate Othello's mother. This tradition carried through to Othello when he gave it to Desdemona.
ReplyDeleteThis created a self fulfilled prophecy in which Othello carried out, when Desdemona told him that she did not have the handkerchief and lied when she said it was not stolen. In a situation where jealousy and suspicion are already at work, even something with sentimental value such as a handkerchief could sway someone's opinion. I believe the importance of the handkerchief is believable because it is not the only thing that causes Othello to suspicious. Act 4 Scene 1 Othello believes that Cassio admits to being with Desdemona.
The handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona played such a huge role in the play not because he gave it to her but because of the story and value behind the object. Othello strongly believed that the handkerchief that he gave Desdemona would cause him to loose his feelings for her if it was lost, stolen, or misplaced as explained in Act 3 Scene 4. It may seem extreme for Othello to have gotten so.irate over the object because it was so small, but when Desdemona lied about it, it added fuel to the flame. I don't believe that Othello would have gotten so upset if Desdemona would have told the truth about her losing the handkerchief but I'm not sure if he would have believed her either. Because Othello had already had his mind made up about the situation I believe that it added more drama to the situation and that he was a little too irate but that his action is supported by his concern.
ReplyDeleteThe importance of Othello’s handkerchief to him shows the impact that Desdemona has on him. To me, the handkerchief seemed to be a symbol of Desdemona’s love, and when it was taken away from Othello, he felt that Desdemona was taken away as well. In a situation of jealousy, anything can sway someone’s opinion one way or another because of the negative emotional effect it can have on a person. In most situations, jealousy changes a person for the worst and can manipulate- and even control- their thoughts and actions. The importance of the handkerchief in the play is somewhat unbelievable because of its over-exaggerated role, but not entirely. Its significance to Othello is very great and could’ve easily manipulated him.
ReplyDeleteI think that the handkerchief being such a big deal to Othello shows that he is stressed being involved in both relationship issues and military issues. He seemed to be overwhelmed and this caused him to break out to Desdemona. Because Othello was so jealous of Cassio because he thought that Desdemona was being unfaithful. He was so upset that the slightest thing tipped him off.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that something so little as a handkerchief played such a huge impact on Othello’s mind shows that the handkerchief represented something extremely important to him- Desdemona’s love. That handkerchief acted as a reminder of Othello and Desdemona’s love for one another. In Act 3 Scene 3, Emilia states, “I am glad I have found this napkin. This was her first remembrance from the Moor…but she so loves the token- For he conjured her she should ever keep it- That she reserves it evermore about her To kiss and talk to.” Othello gave Desdemona the handkerchief as a constant reminder of him for her to keep forever. So when all of the sudden the handkerchief is gone, Othello believes Desdemona no longer cares for him. This dramatic effect shows how insecure Othello truly is. He is extremely jealous of Cassio and probably deep down in his mind believes that he does not deserve Desdemona. These are the reasons why such an innocent object as a handkerchief could sway Othello’s mind so quickly. The importance of the handkerchief IS believable. It acted as the last cold hard evidence of Desdemona and Cassio’s affair. Since this was the only “evidence” available for Othello to SEE and believe, he took it with open arms and acted upon it.
ReplyDeleteThe importance of the handkerchief in the play is believable. The handkerchief was the token of love he gave to Desdemona. Emilia picked up the handkerchief Othello dropped and gave it to Iago. The handkerchief was as symbolic as a wedding ring to a married couple. The handkerchief represented their unconditional love and when it became missing Othello�s suspicious nature made him question Desdemona�s faithfulness. When she could not produce the token he became enraged and believed she was unfaithful and that led to her demise.
ReplyDeleteSomething little like the hankerchief played a huge tole, only because it had huge sentimental value to him. This handkerchief was passed throughout Othello family attached with tradition, if stoelen, missing, or even given to another man the women would be hated. By him giving this to her he meant for real, when it wasnt there ad knew to hate her. All things got worse because Desdemona lied, if she had told the truth and made him believe her things might not have been so bad.
ReplyDeleteAct 3 Scene 4 of Othello explains his strong belief that the hankerchief was extremely important to their his and Desdemona's relationship. He said that if the hankerchief were lost, misplaced, or stolen that he could lose feelings her Desdemona. The hankerchief was the symbol of Othello and Desdemona's love. When Emilia stole it, she stole the strength of Othello and Desdemona's relationship. Then, when Desdemona lied about the hankerchief being lost, Othello lost trust in her. And trust is the foundation to any relationship. It is believable that the hankerchief caused such a change in Othello's opinion, because it was the token of his love to his wife.
ReplyDeleteThe handkerchief is a huge part of Iago's success in convincing Othello that Desdemona cheated on him. The handkerchief is what confirmed Iago's accusation for Othello. The fact that the handkerchief influenced Othello so much shows that he did not put enough trust in his wife and trusted other people too much. Desdemona was supposed to be the person he trusted with everything, and although he might have thought he did his trust really lies with Iago. The drama over the lost handkerchief doesn't really start until Desdemona lies about it being lost. If she would have told Othello the truth and that she had lost it he might would have believed that she didn't cheat on him. However, when he lies to her all hope of her regaining his trust is gone. It made him believe that she was a cheating liar. It is somewhat realistic that something so small would be the deciding factor for Othello, but we have to remember that it wasn't really about the handkerchief. It was that she lied. He would have been upset about her admitting to losing it, but that would not have given him any reason to suspect her of lying.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the handkerchief situation had such a big impact on Othello just shows that Othello jumps to conclusions and acts without thinking. When Iago told Othello about seeing the handkerchief( Act 4 scene 1) Othello should have gone to Desdemona and talked to her about it, but he didn’t. He immediately jumped to the worst conclusion—Desdemona was unfaithful. He suddenly decided to seek revenge on both Cassio and Desdemona. I, personal, don’t see how a little handkerchief could sway someone’s opinion on cheating. I think that if you truly love someone you would confront them and talk to them about it and if it seems sketchy then end the relationship the proper, civilized way. The play makes the importance of the handkerchief believable because Othello makes it believable. He seems completely angered and astonished. His actions make it believable.
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