Oedipus; Othello; Proof

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The Handkerchief in Othello as a Symbol

Symbols are used to give a deeper meaning into a particular body of work . They can be either objects or gestures from the characters that have underlying messages that the author wants to express in his or her work . In Shakespeare 's Othello , the handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona has different meanings with different characters . It is also an important item in revealing the theme of the play

The Handkerchief

The handkerchief is possessed by different

characters in the play , and therefore results into different meanings that it symbolizes . It was first with Othello , he gave it to Desdemona as a gift . The handkerchief is actually from Othello 's mother that was given by an Egyptian charmer That handkerchief Did an Egyptian to my mother give She was a charmer (III , iv , 58-60 . The handkerchief supposedly has some magical powers that can make the partner of the owner remain faithful as long as he or she is in possession of the handkerchief . 'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father Entirely to her love , but if she lost it Or made gift of it , my father 's eye Should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt After new fancies (III , iv , 63-67 . Othello believed this myth about the handkerchief so for him it symbolizes the loyalty of Desdemona to him . So when Desdemona lost it , his suspicions of Desdemona 's infidelity grew

After Othello gave the...