Othello Post 2

Think piece: Do you think the audience is supposed to believe the story of the handkerchief's origin? Are we supposed to be attracted to Othello's storytelling?

I believe that the handkerchief is Othello’s love for Desdemona in a physical form. It’s much more than just some gift that he gave her and we can see that in the way that Othello reacts to her not having it. It seems as though Desdemona has simply misplaced a gift from Othello but to Othello himself, she has lost her love him and discarded his love for her. I do not believe the audience is supposed to believe the origin story because of the symbolism of the handkerchief. Othello has just been completely convinced that his wife has been unfaithful to him and he tells her this story to make her feel guilt. I also feel as though he tells her this story as a way to indirectly tell her he knows what she has been up too. Of course Desdemona is completely unaware of what Othello is hinting to. I believe that for me what makes the origin less believe able is the specific point of if it is lost or more importantly given as gift to someone else. This is clearly Othello indirect, and rather elaborate, way of saying I know of your infidelity. Desdemona completely unaware of the ploy she has been placed in believes the story because Othello is acting extremely strange. Even though I think we shouldn’t believe the story of the handkerchief I do believe that we are supposed to be attract to Othello’s story telling. I believe that we should be attracted to how Othello speaks in general. He has a way with words that other characters simply do not have. When Othello speaks it is as if the world must listen and in this way I believe the audience is supposed to be attracted to Othello’s storytelling.

Question on reading:

Is Iago just an evil character? Does Iago believe Othello slept with his wife but I’m sure he has no definite proof? I also don’t feel as though his reasoning is completely explained, surely there must be more than that for why he wants to bring Othello down. If he’s served by Othello for so long why isn’t this a conversation that he had with Othello? Why not confront him? Is Iago’s character simply a misplaced match that starts the fire or does he want to find pleasure of the fall of Othello? His actions seem very determined, clever, and calculating, but his motive does not seem to match his commitment to destroy Othello.