Handkerchief Significance in William Shakespeare's Othello

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In four pages this essay analyzes the tragic play Othello in a consideration of the important role the handkerchief plays. There are no other sources listed. A 4 page essay that discusses the significance of the handkerchief in Shakespeare's Othello. In the history of the theater, the argument can easily be made that there has never been a prop as instrumental to the substance of a play as Desdemona's handkerchief is to the action of Shakespeare's Othello. This prop becomes symbolic to Othello of Desdemona's supposed infidelity, which is precisely what Iago intends. Iago's manipulation of the handkerchief provides Othello's military mind with his supposed "proof" of Desdemona's betrayal and precipitates Othello's tragic subsequent actions. Examination of the play demonstrates the pivotal importance of this prop and how the action and the thematic substance hinge on this one image. No other sources cited.