Act III Scene 4; and its significance.

Everything happening in Act III scene 4 serves the purpose of making Iago’s plan better and more believable. In Act III scene 3, he vouched to tear her all to pieces however is stopped by Iago. Iago states that there was not enough proof that Desdemona was being unfaithful then proceeds to inquire about the strawberry-spotted handkerchief in which he claimed that he saw Cassio using. This enraged Othello and he proceeds to demand it from Desdemona. Being unable to produce the missing handkerchief as it was in Iago’s possession, Shakespeare depicts Desdemona’s doom as the lost of the handkerchief acts as a confirmation to all Othello’s suspicions which consequently lead to Act IV, scene 1 which is when Othello determines the way in which Desdemona is to die. In this scene, the plot against Desdemona unfolds. Shakespeare denotes the similarity between the character of Desdemona and Othello. Because they are both strong headed, they don’t give in to each other easily. Determined to get what they want off each other (Othello demands Desdemona to produce the handkerchief he gave her and Desdemona wants Othello to reinstate Cassio), their argument led to no clear conclusion; the more they pushed each other, the more adamant they both became, which further infuriates Othello. The fact that Desdemona could not produce the handkerchief that Othello has asked for confirms her infidelity. However, because she does not know of Othello’s suspicion, she decides that Othello is just trying to get her sidetracked from her mission.

The significance of the handkerchief is also explored in this scene. The handkerchief acts as a symbol of Desdemona’s fidelity. Shakespeare, through Iago had suggested that the handkerchief was not the only thing she was giving away; Othello in this scene highlights how special and magically significant the handkerchief is in itself by explaining the source of its alleged power, that how losing it or giving it away is tantamount to ending their love. This is important as it reminds the audience of the alleged claims that Brabantio made in the opening scenes of the play that Othello had used charms and witchcraft to win Desdemona’s love.