LEC052047 Varsa Muthyalu Equivocator in Handkerchief (Othello).

       Varsa Muthyalu

       Dr Joseph Koyippally

       LEC052047

       13 January 2021

           Critical analysis of the significance of Handkerchief (Othello)

                  Othello, The love tragedy by Shakespeare. In Othello , the handkerchief presented to Desdemona symbolically represents the marriage bond itself. Throughout Othello, the handkerchief is " handled" by almost every character, which reflects a significant problem existing within the marriage. After that some critics dismiss the handkerchief as trivial, others acknowledge it's true significance. Robert heilman suggests that when Othello rejects Desdemona's offer of the handkerchief, he " rejects the magical power of love " ( Rober Heilman 213) . Katherine stockholder also views Othello's rejection of the handkerchief as significant,but focuss on Desdemona's failure to notice the dropped handkerchief"...she is too concerned about the real object of her love- Othello... Though in offering the token she symbolically offers her love...( Which) is no way diminished by the loss of the token"(264).

               To further criticize Othello, Brabantio believes that Othello has " stolen" Desdemona and that she did not marry him of her own free will: " O thou foul thief , where hast thou stowed my daughter?"(‌62). Dispute Othello's outward appearance of confidence, Brabantio's insults profoundly affect him. 

               Desdemona responds to Brabantio's rage with a purely rational response as she states:"To you iam bound life and education,/ my life and education both do learn me/ how to respect you, you are the lord of my duty,/iam hither to your daughter" (182-185). He later tries to devalue her as he makes an ominous prediction about the marriage:"Look to her, moor, if thou has eyes to see/ she has deceived her father,and may theer(292-293).

                 In cymbeline, the restrictive associations of the love token are illuminated when posthumous gives Imogen a bracelet which he describes as a "manacle of love"(122). He uses this "manacle"or " handcuff"to represent the marriage bond itself, but it also emphasizes the confinement within the Marriage contract. Posthumous uses the " manacle" to remind Imogen that she is his possession,which is clearly seen when posthumous says, I"will place (this manacle)/ upon this fairest prisoner"(122-223). Similarly, in Othello,the protagonist gives Desdemona the handkerchief which is also associated with confinement.

              In the final act , Iago's conscience plays no role in his behaviour and he  choose to remain silent, " what you know, you know./ From this time forth I never will speak word"(303-304). Othello's misplaced value upon a token has left him vulnerable to  Iago's deceptions which resulted in the tragic out come of the marriage. Othello's perception of the handkerchief as the symbol of fidelity in marriage led him to miscalculate Desdemona's true nature. In Othello, Shakespeare demonstrates just how fragile the marriage bond can be when the individuals place greater value on token than on the beloved. The fragility is emphasized by the use of a fragile symbol i.e The Handkerchief.

References : - 

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