Write a note on Shakespeare's use of the handkerchief in Othello.

Write a note on Shakespeare's use of the handkerchief in Othello.

The drop of Desdemona's handkerchief in Othello is a grand accident that is largely responsible for the tragic end of the play. This operation of accident is a fact of life and Shakespeare has used it so as to make us feel this. That men may start a course of events but can neither calculate nor control it, is a tragic fact, and Shakespeare admits this. But Shakespeare uses it very sparingly, otherwise a large admission of chance into tragic sequence would certainly weaken the sense of the casual connection of character, deed and catastrophe.

Desdemona drops her handkerchief at the most fatal moment when lago has already planted seeds of doubt in Othello's mind. All the while pretending to speak honestly, lago subtly suggests that Desdemona and Cassio are having a love affair. Othello is more or less convinced and Desdemona finds her husband in an over-wrought emotional condition. She tries to soothe him by rubbing his head with her handkerchief but he angrily throws it to the ground and leaves. A little later Emilia piOks up the handkerchief but lago snatches it from her. It is a very special handkerchief, embroidered with a strawberry pattern and was Othello's first present to Desdemona. Then Othello returns, demanding of lago some proof of his wife's infidelity. The quick witted lago, thinking of the handkerchief in his pocket says that he overheard Cassio talk in his sleep about Desdemona and that he had often noticed Cassio wiping his face with a strawbenyembroidered handkerchief. Othello is now convinced and angrily vows revenge against both Cassio and his faithless wife. He promotes 'honest' lago to lieutenant ship in Cassio's place.

Othello cannot wait to ask Desdemona where the handkerchief is, and when she .cannot produce it he flies into a rage of jealousY• Meanwhile, lago has left the handkerchief where Cassio cannot fail to find it. He then arranges for Othello to actually,see the handkerchief in Cassio's possession. Othello and lago agree that Othello will kill Desdemona and lago will dispose of Cassio. At this moment LodoviC0 arrives from Venice with orders for Othello to return at once leaving Cassio as Governor of Cyprus. Events move swiftly to a climax as Othello accuses Desdemona and refuses to believe her protestations of innocence. Deaf to Desdemona's pleas and prayers, he smothers her in her bed. Later on when the truth is known, Othello commits suicide after much repentance.

Thus step by step lago advances, always seeming to hold back until Othello's better nature begins to crumble and he not only listens credulously to lago but even asks him to keep watch on Desdemona. lago does not give him time to consider his evidence calmly and coolly but rapidly builds up a tissue of half-truth and lies that completely convince the Moor. In his intrigue he fully utilizes the episode of the dropped handkerchief to his purpose.

To sum up the final catastrophe cannot be attributed solely to the actions of the hero, for in that case the impression would be different. Other factors, besides characters are made responsible to some extent for the tragic fate of the hero. Thus the dropping of handkerchief is such an element that decides the destiny of the hero and the heroine.