Why does Othello tell Desdemona this origin story about the handkerchief?
In Othello we've been able to see the power in story telling. Othello has proven to be a talented story teller, winning Desdemona's heart through tales from his past. In addition, Iago is very good with his words, using made up stories to convince Othello that Desdemona is being unfaithful. It only makes sense that Othello uses story telling in order to manipulate Desdemona and make her feel guilty about losing the handkerchief. By giving the handkerchief such an elaborate backstory, it gives it more meaning, which would make the crime of losing it much more severe. Othello is hurt by the idea that Desdemona would be unfaithful, and this backstory acts as a means of hurting Desdemona too.
Iago's lies have planted the seed of doubt in Othello's mind that cause irreversible damage to his and Desdemona's relationship. Despite different accounts that prove Desdemona's innocence, Othello's mind constructs its own truths about what has happened, so much so that it even goes beyond Iago's lies. For example, Emilia defends Desdemona in act 4, trying to convince Othello that she has never been unfaithful. Immediately after this, Othello ignores Emilia and sticks to his decision that Desdemona is guilty. Is Desdemona's fate due to Iago's lies? Or is Othello's character and receptiveness to Iago's lies the true culprit? In other words, were Iago's lies strong enough on their own that they would have worked on anyone, or should we blame Othello for being easily manipulated?
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