Examples Of Infidelity In Othello

Othello

In the story Othello by Shakespeare, Othello is a Moor hired to lead as a General in the Vatatian army. After falling in love with Desdemona, his life of strength and noblility are rather short lived despite his plethora of strengths as both a leader and a soldier. Othello's eventual downfall tainted with murder and suicide. Both of which can be linked to one fatal flaw; his naive nature. Or in other words, Othello is far too trusting in his underling, Iago and is unaware of what is truly transpiring around him. Othellos naivety, Iagos deceitfullness, and the appearance of Desdemonas infidelity are what lead Othello to his tragic end of death and murder. The themes potrayed throughout the story are primarily deceit and infidelity

The handkerchief acts as both a symbol and theme within the story. The initial significance of the handkerchief is mentioned earlier when Othello tells Desdemona that the handkerchief was made 200 years ago and used by his mother to ensure her husband never left. When othello gifts this to her, he states “She told her, while she kept it ʼTwould make her amiable and subdue my father, entirely to her love, but if she lost it, or made gift of it, my father’s eye. Should hold her loathèd and his spirits should hunt. After new fancies” (3.4. 69-74). By telling her this, Othello connects this handkerchief to Desdemona's fidelity towards Him. However when Desdemona misplaces it, it appears to Othello that she has “misplaced her fidelity to him” and in turn has committed adultery. The misplacement of the handkerchief represents the lost connection between Othello and Desdemona despite their true love for each other. The fact that it was tampered with by Iago represents the love he stole from Othello and Desdemona. The deception paired with the appearance of infidelity pairs perfectly to fool Othello. So when Othello questions Desdemona about the handkerchiefs and she responds that she does not have it but has instead lost it Othello demands for it. “Fetch me the handkerchief! My mind Misgives” (3.4, 103-104). This goes back and forth for several lines. It also adds a level of dramatic irony, considering the very thing thought to keep them together also became one of the sole reasons their marriage and love