Symbolic gifts appear to be popping up in numerous Shakespeare plays, such as the rings in the Merchant of Venice & now the handkerchief in Othello. The importance and sentimental value of the handkerchief in the play are fascinating; from its origins to its deciding fate. The symbolism that the handkerchief portrays between Othello and Desdemona are that of marital fidelity and chastity as it was the first gift from Othello to Desdemona; which may also symbolize a bind between each other like an engagement ring. Othello says to have received it from his mother before she had passed to give to his future wife “when my fate would have wive” 3.4. For when she had it, that’s what she used to keep his father faithful:

“Twould make her amiable and subdue my father

Entirely to her love, but if she lost it

Or made a gift of it, my father’s eye

Should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt

After new fancies…” 3.4

Even the story behind the origins of the handkerchief and symbolic stitches are intriguing. For it derived from an Egyptian, that was woven by “A sibyl, that had number’d in the world / The sun to course two hundred compasses.” 3.4. The strawberry patterns on the white background were to symbolize the virgins’ bloodstain on the sheets of the wedding night.

Another symbolic attribute of the handkerchief is honesty, which is the deciding factor of a few characters’ fate, especially in Desdemona situation. If she has the handkerchief she is truthful and would negate any accusations from Othello, but if she doesn’t well, it’s just a domino effect of blood, tears, and retribution.

Anyone else notice this or am I just reading too much into things? Has anyone lost anything of significant sentimental value to them from a loved one? Or has anyone received anything of this stature?

In the tragedy of Othello, it seems that Shakespeare continuously want us to be reminded of what the body is used for. Throughout the entire play there is a fascination of the human anatomy. As I reviewed the text, there were many references to body parts such as, the hand, the ears, the eyes, the lips, and the tongue, constantly being mentioned. I searched deeper within the text, and what struck me as odd, was the importance of, not only mentioning the different parts of the body, but their actual functions were also being referenced to.

For example, looking at food it might open up our appetite. However, after we finish eating, our desire for food can obviously end. In the same way, if we eat too much food it might make us sick and it can cause us to feel disgusted or remorseful. This sensation, may cause us to want to purge it in some kind of way. The key words here are, appetite and purge. I have found a few examples of this in the text. One is the following, Iago states “These Moors are changeable in their wills. . . . The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as acerb as coloquintida” (1.3.347-50). “Locust” in this text is a type of sweet fruit, while “coloquintida” in the other hand is also a fruit. This fruit though, is of sour taste that can be used as a laxative for the stomach. What Iago is trying to do is link Othello’s sexual activity of love, to an appetite of lust that helps him evacuate his initial feelings for Desdemona. Therefore, it will become something that has to be discharged or expulsed after his appetite has been satisfied.

What is your favorite quote that contains a body part? What kind of meaning does it bring to the text? Have you been able to find any other body parts or bodily functions in the play that have symbolism to some of the actions of the characters physical liberties or oppressions? Have you found another example, where either, sensations of appetite or purging are mentioned by some of the characters?

Othello

Having read this play I recognize a number of ‘Shakespearean’ themes that we discuss throughout the semester. Some of them are: the strong (or inferior) role of the female charactesr, the Green World and homosocial bonds.
Desdemona is a forward female figure, she is outspoken and assertive. In Act 2 when Lago tries to intimidate her by belittling women, Desdemona remains unwavering and plays along, as he criticizes women. Here in the absence of her husband, we see her independence as stood her ground with the men in this scene. In Act three she, again displays her strong and independent personality when she was advocating on Cassio’s behalf. Also, she was very resilient when Othello accuses her of being unfaithful.
In this play, Cyprus serves as a contrast to Venice. I believe we can consider it as a Green World even though it is not forested like the green world we read about in Mid Summer Night’s dream. It is a place of no formal structure and serves the purpose of the Green world; it is the place where the characters work out their conflicts.
It seems to me the relationship between Desdemona and Emilia is a homosocial relationship and as we see, Lago uses Emilia’s close friendship with Desdemona to gain access to her and, in particular, asks her to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief. Emilia is very loyal and committed to Desdemona, when Othello interrogates her about Desdemona’s behavior; Emilia becomes defensive of Desdemona and readily vouches for her; she then dies speaking of Desdemona’s purity.
I am a little perplexed about the real reason as to why Lago wanted to frame Desdemona for being unfaithful to Othello. Is he really driven by jealousy of not becoming Lieutenant? Or is it because underneath it all is a deep homosocial bond and Lago is privately attracted to Othello and so he sees Desdemona as a threat? The way Othello blindly trusts Lago and Lago’s intense deception of Othello, which almost seems like seduction, makes their relationship questioning to me.

(Jealousy at work here)

Othello has many themes to bring to the table but the one that most stuck out to me was that of jealousy. I’ve always known that jealousy can make people act in a foolish manner, everybody has felt this emotion before. However, Othello has taught me how jealousy can change people entirely and make them act selfish, vengeful, and insane. As we may know, Othello gets into a jealous rage for thinking that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio, thus killing her as a tragic result. Although it is depicted in this play, this happens all the time unfortunately. We hear stories on the news on how individuals kill their significant others over jealousy, especially when they thought their spouses were cheating on them.

Othello isn’t the only character who displays being jealous but so does Iago and Roderigo. Iago is jealous when he founds out that Othello has been promoted to be lieutenant, and vows to get revenge on him. Roderigo is jealous of Othello when he finds our that Desdemona elopes with Othello despite having jewelry to woo her, thus helping Iago in his revenge plot against the Moor. Jealousy once again made these men act selfish, with no heart, and vengeful. The question that I ask myself now, and to the rest of you, is jealousy a dangerous emotion? Does it always cause people to act like fools? Or can jealousy be actually a good thing? Does it help individuals want to become better? What are the pros and cons of being jealous?

Aside from talking about the theme of jealousy, I also found some trivia about Othello and an interesting film adaptation of Othello, which is the modernized film “O”. For those of you who watched it, does it display the same message that other older films and of course the play itself intended to put out? Take a little look see….

\”O\” signs of Odin\’s jealous rage

Interesting Othello Trivia:

Othello Trivia!

Something that stuck out for me in yesterday’s discussion dealt with the original question: is this a moral or a moralizing play (particularly in connection with the “flip version” of is it a sexy play)?? I would argue that it is both, and both sides are connected to the idea of it’s sexiness or not. It’s certainly moral in some way because there is a fight against hypocrisy and abuse of power, but it also seems moralizing in the sense that Shakespeare is certainly making a comment about the strictures of such traditional and male-centered conventions–and, in both case, the entire question fo morality centers on Angelo, who has clearly been set up as the foil for the Duke. I was also wondering, where is Juliette this whole time in the play? I think one of the major questions we have had in this class is the role of women amd how present they are. The one woman who seems the most present in this play is Isabella and yet the entire play is really about Juliette.

I can’t believe that even the Duke, an elderly man who early in the play thought of retirement, reveals that he too, is a virtual child molester in proposing marriage to a teenage Isabella. In reading Measure for Measure, I can see that those who enforce the laws against sexual corruption are often expressing their own sexual corruption.

Solange Escobar.

Claudio, Isabella before the Ruler

The actions of Angelo strikingly mirror those of our last governor, who was forced to resign as a result of his extramarital affairs with call girls.  Notice how he exerts himself as a “god” simply because the Duke chooses to have him serve as deputy governor in his stead. Angelo’s misdeeds escalate as he attempts to manipulate the people by sanctioning or rather reinforcing the existing laws to “clean up Vienna.” He becomes overzealous, domineering, didactic and dogged in his government.  He jails Claudio for having sex with Juliet before marriage in an attempt to make him an example before the Viennese nationals, as if he is God himself.  He further attempts to force himself on Claudio’s sister, Isabella, by forcing her to have sex with him in order to release Claudio from jail, which sounds so familiar to the blackmail stories that we read about in the newspapers today. I couldn’t help but to notice how some people, when given the responsibility -by the public- to govern, allow their newly delegated powers -go to their head. Like our past governor, who was known for his legal prowess in seeking to bring law-breakers to justice, was himself caught in the very same web of deceit. It’s simply ironic, how this play from the 16^th century could depict events -of today -with such startling similarities. Of course, like our past governor, the Duke finds out the truth… and Angelo is forced to confess, and in the end – Claudio is pardoned and Isabella marries the Duke.

(Photo found @ http://www.wsu.edu:8001/~delahoyd/shakespeare/measure5.html )

Malvolio wearing yellow stocking in order to win Olivia’s love.  I can’t imagine any men being so gullible.  Men of today and in the past wouldn’t believe that dressing would win the love of their lives.  Malvolio is a stewardess which means he has a high rank in Olivia family.   His character is not believable.  How could Malvolio be so foolish in order to believe the letter?   Is this part suppose to be believable or are we just suppose to go with the flow and believe what Shakespeare writes?

I know I would not dress like him for love, but maybe that’s just me.