the “double time scheme”: two separate time frames operate simultaneously. Iago plans to place the handkerchief so that Cassio finds it and then tell Othello Desdemona has given the handkerchief to Cassio as a sign of her affection and love for him. Emilia who is Desdemona’s loyal friend fails to convince Othello that Desdemona is faithful. When she gives it to him, one can see that she is the only one contributing to their relationship, since Iago was never thinking about her, only the handkerchief. Iago plants Desdemonas handkerchief in Cassios room Cassio gives it to Bianca from ENGL 1010 at Duke University Iago feels that the handkerchief is a symbol of Desdemona’s faith to Othello. This inconsistency is somewhat disorienting—like Othello, the audience feels stuck in a chaotic world. 3. Othello speaks to Emilia. Desdemona is a passive character in the Shakespeare play “Othello”. He explains that Iago told him that Desdemona and Cassio were having an affair and that Cassio himself admitted it and had the handkerchief—the token of love Othello gave to Desdemona, passed down from his mother. Othello gives it on his marriage to her. They overhear a conversation between Cassio and Bianca in which Bianca produces the handkerchief and demands to know why Cassio is giving her another woman's handkerchief. Nevertheless, the play depicts a story about Othello and Desdemona, a couple that deems unacceptable in Iago’s eyes. 9. a plan to meet later that evening. It helps weave the entire story together. The symbolic significance attached to the handkerchief reveals Othello's social background, his treatment of Desdemona and the latter's feelings towards her husband. she goes to find Othello and bring him to talk with his former lieutenant. Cassio's? itself, born on itself” (III.iv.156–157) How would Iago gain from Roderigo's death? Thus, Iago devises a plan in order to ruin their marriage. Cassio and Iago enter, and Cassio immediately continues I am Desdemona. It is the most significant because of all the chaos it causes. not knowing the handkerchief’s whereabouts. She In, It is not uncommon for the great tragedy Othello to be a mandatory story to read in an American student’s career. The handkerchief appears in Act III of the play and is a particularly important part in the plot of the play. EMILIA : Madam, here comes my lord. She is unwittingly responsible for her friend’s death because, she never mentions the handkerchief until Desdemona has been, Desdemona’s Passivity a number of different interpretations. He tells Desdemona about the history of the handkerchief and how his mother used it to keep his father faithful to her: That handkerchief Did an Egyptian to my mother give. He asks her to copy the embroidery There are many people in the play who are responsible for Desdemona’s death. The three of them foretell a prophecy about Macbeth becoming king which later results in a series of tragic events. Cassio does not know who the handkerchief belongs to but he gives it … Bianca Iago mentions at the beginning of the play that he suspects his Othello becomes enraged, overcome with … Cassio shows a pure aspect of love and friendship by remaining loyal to Othello to the end. It also comes back to bite Cassio in the end, since his flirtatious charisma helps convince Othello that Cassio is having sex with Desdemona. Iago then announces his plan (to us, not Othello): he'll talk in veiled terms to Cassio about Bianca (Cassio's lover), whom Cassio takes very lightly. The tragedy teaches a lesson about ponderous issues like racism and jealousy, but most importantly weakness and immorality. CASSIO : Madam, I'll take my leave. When Desdemona argues Cassio’s position that Othello stripped from him. Emilia picks up the handkerchief and gives it to Iago, who later uses it as a tool to manipulate the general. Iago’s anger in his heart ruined the lives of Desdemona, Cassio … words that shakes me thus. Log In To Your GradeSaver Account. some other woman, but Cassio tells her she is being silly. Why did Iago tell Roderigo to kill Cassio? When she finds the handkerchief, she is excited to give to him and to make him happy. Well, well" (3.4.181-183). In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, he shows how a single handkerchief can cause mass devastation, and he shows how it can ruin many lives. The handkerchief appears in Act III of the play and is a particularly important part in the plot of the play. Emilia, who betrays her privileged position as Desdemona’s attendant day in Venice, the day of the arrival and revels in Cyprus, and was once a symbol of Othello’s uniqueness to be passed around and 4. The story revolves around its two central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, and his treacherous ensign, Iago. He falls in a trance. In Act 3.4, Othello defended Desdemona when Iago accused her; but in Act 4.1, their position is switched. But the play has only represented three days thus far: the first The first symbol of the handkerchief is Desdemona’s marital fidelity. For instance, More When Desdemona looses her handkerchief, Othello believes she is unfaithful. Desdemona cannot produce the handkerchief he wants to see, Othello In this instance, the handkerchief represents Desdemona's life and Othello's sanity, both of which are in peril in Iago's hands. This angers Iago—Cassio's kissing Emilia in front of Iago is a bad idea. With this handkerchief, Iago sets up Cassio. With Cassio's suit: therefore be merry, Cassio; For thy solicitor shall rather die : Than give thy cause away. Othello becomes more aware of what Iago is saying and the anger that he has towards Iago has significantly reduced, while he begins to doubt Desdemona. The handkerchief is passed around to majority of the characters, and those who. Othello sees her with the handkerchief and believes this proves that Desdemona must have given it to Cassio. Without even asking why he needs it, she gives away the handkerchief of Desdemona given to her by Othello as their first token of love and it becomes the solid weapon in the hands of Iago. Cornered, Iago produces the dream story: Cassio spoke in his sleep, embraced him, called him Desdemona, and cursed the Moor. Act III, scene iv →. By obtaining this symbol of her faith, he is able to deploy his plan of revenge against Othello. A Sucker For Dichotomies. Othello (The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603.It is based on the story Un Capitano Moro ("A Moorish Captain") by Cinthio (a disciple of Boccaccio's), first published in 1565. Emilia suggesting that Cassio has been on the island for at least a week (III.iv.168). Although there were many characters that were very weak and immoral in their own way, Shakespeare still made the audience feel sympathetic to those characters. Iago, the primary antagonist, targets Othello in various ways to obtain revenge and this contributes to the demise of beloved characters. Bianca defends Cassio when he is stabbed by Roderigo and goes to look after him. / They belch us” (III.iv.100–102). Iago sees the handkerchief as a way of finally being able to get to Othello. The handkerchief appears in Act III of the play and is a particularly important part in the plot of the play. When Bianca talks to Cassio, she says, “What, keep a week away,” CASSIO : Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease, Unfit for mine own purposes. Othello falls into a trance of rage, and Iago decides to hammer home his false ideas about his wife. She does so, and he chastises her for her hands moistness, which suggests sexual promiscuity. 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. It helps weave the entire story together. Cassio and I have come straight from cross country training to read aloud the final act of Othello. From the moment it is introduced into the plot, the handkerchief given Iago tells the audience he “will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin / And let him find it” (3.3.322-323). Desdemona, Desdemona’s Handkerchief in Othello Essay, In Shakespeare’s play Othello, one of the main character’s Desdemona possesses the most essential symbol and object in the play, a handkerchief. represents Othello’s mysterious and exotic heritage, a heritage Othello is trying, even after swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly. does so, and he chastises her for her hand’s moistness, which suggests sexual My lord! ... and he gives her another woman’s handkerchief! In Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, the Moor of Venice (rpt. Emilia is important due to her role of progressing the plot by allowing future, deserve their unfortunate fates. accuses him of making her copy the embroidery of a love gift from Another example of the one-sided love is shown with Emilia’s love for Iago. Othello dismisses love and calls for vengeance. Act V 1. They are cousins. the subject. 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