Symbolism of the Handkerchief - Essay Example

The handkerchief was then given to Othello’s mother with an advice that as long as the handkerchief remains with her, her husband would stay faithful and sincere in their marital relationship. Hence the handkerchief symbolizes fidelity and Othello stresses on it when he gives it to his wife. For Othello, the handkerchief emblemize sincerity which he expects from Desdemona. For Desdemona, it is symbolic to Othello’s love and affection. For Cassio and others it is a mere object of beauty and appreciation and does not hold any significance.

She cherishes the handkerchief, not only for the meaning that Othello gives to it, but also as a token of his love for her. The presence of handkerchief with Desdemona is significant to their relationship. There are no problems when Desdemona keeps it safe and cherishes it but as soon as she loses, problems begin to evolve between the two. With the help of Iago’s cunning words, doubt of his wife’s insincerity is placed deep within the Othello’s mind. The handkerchief which symbolized fidelity at the start of the novel becomes an indication of betrayal and hatred.

The handkerchief is now portrayed as a symbol for chastity. Othello begins to suspect Desdemona’s character when he discovers that the handkerchief was no longer present with his wife. . The pattern of red strawberries on a white sheet also symbolizes bloodstains on the bed sheet that prove the wife’s virginity, therefore when Othello finds Cassio in possession of it, he believes that Desdemona has given her body to him. When Othello sees Cassio with the handkerchief, he feels as if he has lost his wife’s chastity to him and only feelings of anger and jealousy engulf him.

As the story proceeds, the handkerchief begins to have a greater impact on the characters. Tricked into Iago’s evil plans, Othello is convinced that the absence of handkerchief confirms the unchaste relations of Desdemona with Cassio. Othello falls into the plot of Iago and the handkerchief becomes a symbol of disloyalty of Desdemona, filling Othello’s heart with hatred.   “Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, For 'tis of aspics' tongues!” The situation is aggrandized by Iago who feeds into the mind of Othello that only the handkerchief offers conclusive proof of Desdemona’s fidelity.

 As Iago says "essence that's not seen;" (4.1.16),"But, for the handkerchief --" (4.1.18). Othello had not seen Desdemona kiss Cassio or sleep with him hence the only way to ensure her chastity was the handkerchief. Only the handkerchief was material and hence only it can be used to prove whether Desdemona was on the wrong or not. “Trifles light as air. Are to the jealous confirmations strong” This idea was planted by Iago in Othello’s mind and proved to be detrimental for Othello’s marital relationship with Desdemona.

The love and fidelity and every other emotion associated with the handkerchief vanishes away with Desdemona’s death. Emilia ends the mystery of the handkerchief by proclaiming "For often, with a solemn