I think an important icon in the play Othello is the handkerchief given from Othello to Desdemona. Although we do not see when it was given to Desdemona it plays an important role. Othello describes why he gave it to her and the importance it has to him. I thought it would be best to get a visual of a handkerchief matching the description in the play. The image I found was used in the movie from the 1995 film of Othello. This piece becomes apparent in multiple scenes and is a key factor in the beginnings of Othello and his explosive jealous mindset. Iago sets the couple up when he hears from Emilia that she found it. He puts it in Michael Cassio’s chambers and when Cassio finds it he thinks it is lovely and asks Bianca to duplicate it. When Othello asks Desdemona to see the handkerchief she can not show him because it was lost and now Othello ties together with the help of Iago that there is a chance Desdemona is cheating on him with Michael Cassio. Jealousy is a main factor in this play. This scene is an example of how Iago creates a jealous mindset in Othello leading to disaster.

Othello: “That’s a fault. That handkerchief

Did an Egyptian to my mother give.

She was a charmer, and could almost read

The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept

It…”

“…She, dying, gave it me,

And bid me, when my fate would have me wived,

To give it her.”

Act III, Scene iv, Lines 65-76

            What caught my attention when Othello asked Desdemona for this handkerchief. He then informed her of the importance it had to him. It seemed as if he was attempting to make her feel guilty and disappointed in herself for loosing something carelessly that was so valuable to her husband. He says “That handkerchief did an Egyptian to my mother give…She, dying…” and when someone attempts to make another feel guilty they push for the “oh my god!” factor and over exaggerate the importance of a topic. By the way he said this story, it seems like he was really pushing to make her feel guilty for her careless action. This can depict well what his emotions are as he, in a way, can turn manipulative as Iago is doing to the couple. By Othello being tricked into feeling as if his wife cheated, causes negative efforts on his end as a husband. This is showing a domino effect for those involved in this warped plan to ruin Michael Cassio’s career.

Arogundade, Ben. “Othello Handkerchief Scene: Meaning, Symbolism, Quotes From Othello Play.” Arogundade. N.p., 13 May 2016. Web. 15 May 2016.