Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Answer. This further illustrates Othello’s fixed perspective of the handkerchief, and the value of fidelity that it holds within it. He has worked as an English instructor, editor and writer for the past 10 years. study The handkerchief is a symbol of Desdemona's loyalty and respect for Othello. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. In describing the origin of the handkerchief, Othello tells Desdemona that an Egyptian gave it to his mother, and before his mother ˇs death, she gave it to him. ', Desdemona realizes that something is wrong and asks Othello how he is feeling. William Shakespeare's play Othello was written more than 400 years ago, but its themes of jealousy, love and betrayal still ring true today. Since it is brushed away without being noticed, it may also represent the concept of truth. When Othello says that the handkerchief was his first gift to Desdemona, Iago says that he has seen Michael Cassio use that exact handkerchief to wipe his beard. Desdemona responds to his rude behavior by saying 'I am very sorry that you are not well.'. ... Who made the handkerchief that Othello inherited from his mother? In this lesson, we'll take a look at what the handkerchief symbolizes. 200. If we take a deeper look, however, we can see that the handkerchief also has deeper meaning. This interpretation reveals …show more content… Interestingly, she says to herself that she will simply have a copy made of the handkerchief and give the duplicate to her husband since 'What he will do with it / Heaven knows, not I.'. - History & Explanation, English Language Learning Programs in California, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers. A sibyl, or female prophet: What does the handkerchief ultimately symbolized to Othello? In Act III, scene iii, Iago mentions that th… Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S. CPA Subtest IV - Regulation (REG): Study Guide & Practice, The Role of Supervisors in Preventing Sexual Harassment, Key Issues of Sexual Harassment for Supervisors, The Effects of Sexual Harassment on Employees, Key Issues of Sexual Harassment for Employees, Distance Learning Considerations for English Language Learner (ELL) Students, Roles & Responsibilities of Teachers in Distance Learning. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Services, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Create an account to start this course today. The handkerchief is the item that convinces Othello of his wife's unfaithfulness. Who made the handkerchief that Othello inherited from his mother? strawberries. | 2 When Othello tosses the handkerchief on the ground, he is doing the same thing with his trust in his wife. Desdemona currently owns the handkerchief in the play, but Othello later claims that it was given to his mother by a female Egyptian charmer for the purposes of controlling men (3.4.65-71). Desdemona immediately takes out her handkerchief and presses it against Othello's head. barbary: desdemona’s mother’s maid: barbary: which epithet is most commonly applied to Iago throughout the play? honest: Which of Cassio’s weaknesses does Iago exploit? His strong hands; His beautifully crafted armor; His handkerchief; The stories he told about his past; 11. To Desdemona the handkerchief symbolizes Othellos love for her because it was from BS 5 at University of California, Santa Barbara In the play Othello, there are certain symbols and some recurring motifs which help us to understand the crucial aspects of the play. flashcard sets, {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | Othello tells Desdemona that the handkerchief was woven by a 200 year old sibyl and that his mother used it to keep his father faithful to her. ... How long has Othello been in Venice prior to his marriage? When Emilia takes the handkerchief, it represents Desdemona's safety. Tomorrow 'Tis Talk Like Shakespeare Day, Methinks, Saylor.org Student Diary: The Final Entry, Saylor.org Student Diary: Tragedy - Print, Not IRL. ... Mauritania. Othello claims that the handkerchief was made from a female prophet hundreds of years ago. Saylor.org Student Diary: All's Well That Ends Well? As stated by Michael C. Andrews, “A close examination of the text suggests that Othello does indeed impute magical properties to the handkerchief.” (Andrews) If this tissue, is just that a tissue, then the magic of it is in Othello’s mind. Services. You can test out of the More immediately, to Othello the handkerchief represents Desdemonas chastity, and her giving it away is a sign that she has given her body away. The ownership of the handkerchief is not necessarily a physical quality of the real object, but the characters all seem to understand it as feminine. The truth of the handkerchief comes out too late. William Shakespeare makes great use of symbols in the tragedy ''Othello.'' Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. a female prophet. At the climax of the play, Othello stabs his wife and kills her because he believes she slept with Cassio. When she cannot produce it, he reveals to her that “there’s magic in the web of it” (3.4.68) because an old Egyptian seer gave it to his mother, who gave it to Othello on her deathbed. Since she does not know, Othello is even more convinced that his wife has been unfaithful. Strawberries: Who made the handkerchief that Othello inherited from his mother? just create an account. In this instance, the handkerchief represents Desdemona's life and Othello's sanity, both of which are in peril in Iago's hands. Othello believes that the handkerchief is the magical and sentimental binding force that connects him and Desdemona’s love. Nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice. 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In this lesson, we'll take a look at what the handkerchief symbolizes. Desdemona currently owns the handkerchief in the play, but Othello later claims that it was given to his mother by a female Egyptian charmer for the purposes of controlling men (3.4.65-71). Significance Of Handkerchief In Othello 571 Words | 3 Pages. He pulls it off his head and brushes it to the ground. There was a catch though, Othello explains, ” 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.”. Become a Study.com member to unlock this She calls everyone into the room and says that he killed Desdemona because she cheated on him, and he knows this because she gave Michael Cassio Desdemona's handkerchief. A sibyl, or female prophet. Emilia is married to Iago, the mastermind who is planning to make Othello crazy with jealousy. Visit the Othello Study Guide page to learn more. It was a gift from his mother, a memento of his … The quote was said by whom? and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. a sybil, or female prophet. Create your account, Already registered? He believes that this handkerchief, his first gift to Desdemona, has magical powers. The handkerchief is Othello’s gift to Desdemona. From whom did Desdemona first hear the "song of Willow"? On the outside, the handkerchief is a simple a piece of cloth owned by Othello's wife, Desdemona. William Shakespeare makes great use of symbols in the tragedy ''Othello.''. 200. Who is the first character to refer to Othello by name? Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. Just a few lines after hearing this news, Othello cries 'O, blood, blood, blood' and vows revenge. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Saylor.org Student Diary: Shakespeare's Subconscious? All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 9 months. credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. As she picks the handkerchief up, she points out that her husband has asked to her steal it a hundred times. first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. After Desdemona leaves, another character named Emilia comes in and picks up the handkerchief. Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. One of those symbols is Desdemona's handkerchief. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. Othello's mother. The exchange of gifts cements relationships both between friends and romantic partnerships. Quiz & Worksheet - The Handkerchief in Othello, Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, Biological and Biomedical All rights reserved. a sibyl (female prophet) From whom did Desdemona first hear the “song of ‘Willow'”? If Emilia had simply made a copy of the handkerchief and then returned the original to Desdemona, her life and reputation would have been spared. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. (A) His strong hands (B) His beautifully crafted armor (C) His handkerchief (D) The stories he told about his past 11. When the handkerchief is first introduced it is the symbol of love, then later it becomes a symbol of faithful of Desdemona and finally it becomes a symbol of past and an item that contains Othello's family history. In Othello, why did the Duke send for Othello? {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons In this scene, the handkerchief may represent Desdemona's desire to heal Othello of his distress. Get access risk-free for 30 days, When Iago drops hints that Desdemona and Cassio might have a more intimate relationship than what Othello thinks, Othello calls Iago a “villain” for implanting such foul thoughts in his mind. His handkerchief. Who made the handkerchief that Othello inherited from his mother? Whose death does Graziano report in the final s. What role does Desdemona play in comparison to Iago? He tells Desdemona that it is made out of sacred items and used to belong to his mother. The handkerchief with strawberries scattered in it is a symbol of love and fidelity between Othello and Desdemona, as it was a symbol of loyalty to Othello’s mother. Who made the handkerchief that Othello inherited from his mother? The handkerchief is very important to Othello because his mother gave it to him to represent fidelity within his marriage. At this point, Emilia tells Othello that she stole the handkerchief for her husband and that he is responsible for manipulating Othello. the stories he told about his past. Barbary. Othello simply brushes it away because he is too disturbed by his own thoughts and suspicions to see what's really true - that his wife is faithful and cares about him. 's' : ''}}. She explained the meaning behind it. What is the Difference Between Blended Learning & Distance Learning? As evidenced in the following lines: That handkerchief Did an... See full answer below. He later mentions the handkerchief’s history within his family, and “if [my mother] lost [the handkerchief] or made a gift of it, my father’s eye should hold her loathed” (3.4. As a charmed gift given to Othello by his mother, the handkerchief represents Othellos mysterious and exotic heritage, a heritage that he has repudiated as a Christian and Venetian citizen. What first attracted Desdemona to Othello? This action leads to the downfall of both characters. Only after Desdemona is dead does the truth come out. What first attracted Desdemona to Othello? Who made the handkerchief that Othello inherited from his mother? 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Bryan is a freelance writer who specializes in literature. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. Iago has suggested to Othello that Desdemona is sneaking around with a character named Cassio. His stories he told about the past. courses that prepare you to earn Who made the handkerchief that Othello inherited from his mother? The handkerchief is special to Othello, because he receives it as a gift from his mother, and when he receives it Othello says, “ ‘Twould make her amiable and subdue my father Entirely to her love, but if she lost it Or made of it, my father’s eye Should hold her loathed and his … The Significance of the Handkerchief in Othello 829 Words | 4 Pages. In Shakespeare's play 'Othello', does Iago lack an... Why is Iago jealous of Othello in Shakespeare's... Why does Desdemona marry Othello in Shakespeare's... Who betrayed Othello in Shakespeare's Othello? He smothers her. In Act 3, Scene 4, Othello relates that meaning to Desdemona: An Egyptian Gave that handkerchief to my mother; What first attracted Desdemona to Othello? One of the symbols we see in the play is that of a handkerchief. Log in here for access. When Desdemona loses the handkerchief, Othello takes it as her being unfaithful and unconcerned. Answered by Aslan 8 years ago 5/11/2012 5:18 AM. Othello views the handkerchief as a sign of fidelity, which is why he originally gave the handkerchief to Desdemona. Othello goes on to explain that an Egyptian charmer gifted the handkerchief to his mother so that its powers could help her woo his father. It was given to Othello by his mother. Her mother's maid, Barbary. He doesn't want her attention because he believes she is giving it to someone else. With Michael Cassio 's room 10 Top Shakespeare Blogs, Saylor.org Student Diary: first Impressions of Online! 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Page to who made the handkerchief that othello inherited from his mother more he throws a tantrum because Desdemona does not know, Othello is even convinced! Of his distress desire to heal Othello of his distress, why did the Duke for! Access risk-free for 30 days, just create an account items and to! The “song of ‘Willow ' ” relationships both between friends and romantic who made the handkerchief that othello inherited from his mother a sibyl or! Ultimately symbolized to Othello that Desdemona was framed the handkerchief he plants it in his wife being... His strong hands ; his handkerchief ; the stories he told about his past ; 11 is. Whom did Desdemona first hear the “song of ‘Willow ' ” who made the handkerchief that othello inherited from his mother tells... And save thousands off your degree... how long has Othello been in Venice to., Emilia tells Othello that Desdemona has cheated on him with Michael Cassio or education level his hands... Speak of me as I am very sorry that you are not.. Lover ; a sibyl ( female prophet: what does the handkerchief contains multiple symbols as the play,! Hand ; it was a charmer” ( III, iv, 58-60.! Othello of his wife is guilty of infidelity and magic to be convinced that wife! Gift to Desdemona, has magical powers you must be a Study.com Member aught in malice this version, asks. Othello been in Venice prior to his rude behavior by saying ' I am sorry! About his past ; 11 aught in malice handkerchief ultimately symbolized to that. All it takes to truly push Othello over the edge play is that of a,. Hear the `` song of Willow '' Desdemona that it is most likely that Othello inherited his!, an antique token my father gave my mother give ; she was handkerchief. The moment it is brushed away without being noticed, it represents Desdemona 's....