The Handkerchief - Othello Acts 4 and 5

William Shakespeare’s Othello proves to be a play with great depth, particularly in symbolism. While many objects and people in the story symbolize various things, one item in particular symbolizes one of the main themes in the play, deceit. All throughout the play, Iago is deceiving others with his actions and words, manipulating their feelings in order to create the conflict he desires. He, however, has the help of various items in achieving this goal. Othello’s strawberry covered handkerchief is this item that proves the most helpful to Iago. The handkerchief singlehandedly deceives multiple people, resulting in terrible actions that push forth the plotline of the play. In particular, the handkerchief symbolizes the deceit, albeit non-existent deceit, in Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. The handkerchief is a direct representation of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship because Othello gave it to her after their marriage. Because Iago has Emilia, his wife, steal the handkerchief, he is able to convince Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him by planting the item on other people, especially Cassio. While he really only discovered it because Iago had planted it on him, Iago makes it seem as though Desdemona had given Cassio Othello’s handkerchief as a sign of her affection. After Bianca brings it by, they discuss, “‘And did you see the handkerchief?’ ‘Was that mine?’ ‘Yours, by this hand,’” (Shakespeare, 1431). While all the other characters are none the wiser, the handkerchief passed around within the story effectively symbolizes Iago’s deceitfulness and the affect that has on all the characters.