Blog Post #11 Othello

Question: How exactly does Othello say the handkerchief was made? Who made it and what materials?

Othello tells Desdemona that the handkerchief possessed magical powers (or that magic was woven into it). He tells Desdemona that it was made by 200 year old woman. The woman is a sibyl which the book translates it to a prophetess. She made the handkerchief in a trance or as the book translates, an inspired state. The handkerchief is made out of worms and it was the color that it was dyed with came from maiden's hearts. Clearly from this explanation, we can see that Othello is treating the handkerchief as this mystical item that has actual magical powers that can influence their relationship.  If Othello's mother lost the handkerchief, then Othello's father would start to hate her? This is just sending a message to Desdemona to not lose the handkerchief because it clearly represents something other than just a handkerchief. When I looked up the meaning of some of these words, I found that maiden's hearts meant virgin's hearts. This might represent a sense of fidelity that Othello feels he is owed. If Desdemona is faithful to him then she will keep the handkerchief, but losing it will cause him to resent her. The resent does not come from the magical property, but rather the idea that she could have not been faithful to him. Thus, Othello creates this magical metaphor that represents the actual events that occurred and will occur.

My Question: In Act 5 Scene 2, Othello goes to kill Desdemona because he believes that she has been unfaithful to him. Othello show reluctance in wanting to kill Desdemona, but feels that he must. He even wants her to confess her "sins" so that she will not go to hell. What struck me the most was moment when Othello told Desdemona to confess, but even if she says she is innocent, Othello has already made up his mind. He said "For to deny each article with oath cannot remove nor choke the strong conception that I do groan withal. Thou art to die." (Lines 68-70). He basically says that she cannot change his mind no matter what, so my question is: why does Othello keep asking for a confession? Does he want her soul to be "clean" for the afterlife? Does he want (or need) to be proven right about the affair? Does he just want to talk to her one last time?