In act 3 of this story we Iago continues to go forward with his evil plan. He begins to make Othello think that Desdemona and Cassio have a thing going on. This makes Othello doubt his trust for Desdemona. My initial reaction to Othello's thinking about the situation was that he was weak minded. Even though he was a warrior he still had insecurities.
From this act, I realized that Iago was a genius at deceiving people. He obviously got Othello to doubt his trust in himself and Desdemona. This begins to destroy their relationship and makes Othello think that Iago just wants to open his eyes to the truth. Iago's simple plan with the handkerchief works out as planned and is enough for Othello to not even bother to ask Desdemona if she was the one who gave it to Cassio. I think that if Othello really had a good relationship with Desdemona he would have talked to her first before believing anyone else.
Shakespeare uses symbolism to show how a simple object can have a great effect and in this case he uses the handkerchief. The handkerchief represents a lot to Othello because it was like a symbol that represented his love. When Desdemona lost it it foreshadowed her losing Othello's love. Shakespeare could have chosen to use something else but he purposely used the handkerchief for this purpose.
You are right that Othello did have insecurities about his relationship with Desdemona. That goes to show that even a warrior like Othello who is so tough and resilient can be effected by a women. Iago used this to his advantage by deceiving Othello.
ReplyDeleteReally great connection between Othello's trust switching from Desdemona to Iago. I think you have strong evidence for your theme analysis, one suggestion, maybe tell what exactly the handkerchief symbolizes. Instead of it just representing a lot to Othello, it could symbolize his love and from his perspective Desdemona took his love the handkerchief and gave it away like as if it wasn't important to her. Just an idea though, your character analysis also ties into the trust mistrust idea.
ReplyDeleteI think its funny that Othello is this big warrior but is an emotional wreck on the inside. I feel the same way about the handkerchief, Shakespeare is clever at picking his symbols. It is also kind of funny that a little thing like a handkerchief caused a big war hero like Othello to fall victim to his own insecurities.
ReplyDeleteOthello feels that because of his racial difference he has to prove himself more to the people of Venice. In the beginning when Iago begins to tell him of his suspicions of infidelity, Othello tells him that only someone insecure with himself would doubt his relationship. And there is truth to that, Othello is insecure about not being good enough for the people and his wife.
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