Symbols In Shakespeare's Othello

Symbols are an important part of literature used to help enhance stories. A symbol can allow readers to understand a story on a deeper and more meaningful level. They can also provide an insight to characters depending on their relation the symbol itself. Shakespeare frequently uses symbols in his plays to symbolize an idea that is more abstract. For example, a handkerchief in Othello is a key symbol in the play. The importance of the small object becomes evident as the play progresses. Although many characters come in contact with the handkerchief throughout the play, it holds special importance to the characters Othello, Desdemona, and Iago. The handkerchief held sentimental value for Othello because it was a gift from his mother. He tells

Othello gave Desdemona this handkerchief as a symbol of their marriage and his love for her. When Iago planted the seed in Othello’s head that Desdemona and Cassio were having an affair, Othello became furious. Iago convinced Othello that the handkerchief represented Desdemona’s faithfulness towards him, which is why it was so important to Othello that she still had the handkerchief. It is the reason why he used a story about the magic behind the handkerchief to try to scare Desdemona into admitting to her alleged affair with Cassio. Othello believed that if Desdemona had lost or given away the handkerchief, it would be “…perdition as nothing else could match” (III.iv.67-68). In other words, there would be eternal punishment for Desdemona if she did not still possess the handkerchief. When Othello saw it in the hands of Cassio, it changed from a symbol of marriage and love to a symbol of

The handkerchief also held sentimental value for her, but for a different reason than Othello’s. It was “…her first remembrance from the Moor” (III.iii.290) or simply put, it was the first present she had ever received from Othello. Desdemona kept the handkerchief with her wherever she went because as Emilia said, “…she so loves the token…” (III.iii.292). When Desdemona realized that she had lost the handkerchief, she told Emilia: “Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse/Full of crusadoes” (III.iv.24-26). In other words, she was so worried about losing her handkerchief that she would have rather lost her purse filled with money than it. This proves that the handkerchief held a lot of importance to her. It was something that money could not buy. When Emilia picks up Desdemona’s dropped handkerchief she said that Desdemona kept it close by her side “To kiss and to talk to” (III.iii.295) almost like it was Othello himself. The handkerchief held importance to Desdemona for a single reason, Othello. It was a reminder of Othello when he was not by her side and it represented Othello’s