Othello Act 3 Scene 4 Essay

This unhappy scene focuses on Desdemona she has become an innocent victim of Iago and Othello. From the moment he enters, Othello takes on the role of a persecutor. His first words in line 30 O huskiness to dissemble non only comments on what he thinks is Desdemonas false seeming only when as well as reveals how difficult it is to control his feelings when he is in Desdemonas presence. He proceeds to describe Desdemonas debate as hot and moist in line 32. This is an allusion to a belief in the time, that when someones hand was hot and moist they were of a lustful nature. At this point Desdemona is perplexed by Othello and makes the chafe mistake of trying to change the path of their conversation by pressing Othello about Cassio. Othello responds to the mention of Cassio by setting a trap for Desdemona, stating in line 46 I commence a sodium chloride and sorry rheum offends me/lend me thy handkerchief.Upon Desdemonas failure to give him the strawberry printed handkerchief, Oth ello goes into a rage, recounting Desdemona of the significance of the handkerchief and that she should not have lost it. The handkerchief is an extremely important symbol in the play. This handkerchief that an Egyptian charmer to my mother give represents Othellos mysterious and exotic heritage. More importantly in this scene, Othello reveals that the handkerchief symbolises his love for Desdemona and Desdemonas chastity. His belief that she has given it away means the break in their love, the giving away of her body. The dramatic irony is that although the handkerchief is lost, Desdemona still loves Othello. The theme of appearance vs. reality is run in the scene, for although Desdemona appears to be covering up for her sins when in reality she is completely pure and blameless.Othellos birdsong that theres magic in the web of the handkerchief (line 65), reintroduces the theme of magic. This can be contrasted to behave 1, when Othello claimed ignorance and disregard for magic when Brabantio accused him of witchcraft. In this scene he takes the opposite position although the handkerchief does not embody magic, it has a magic, a hold on Othello. He believes fervently that the loss of the handkerchief represents Desdemonas betrayal and seems to be enchanted by the token. Later he is seen repeating the line The handkerchief triplet times in an uncontrolled fury.The innocent Desdemona is fearful of its loss cries out Then would to God that I had never seen it in line 73. Frightened by his rash words, Desdemona lies about the handkerchief and states It is not lost, but what and if it were? in line 79. This is tragically consequential and makes the audience wonder that if she had told the truth there may have been hope in averting this tragedy. Othello leaves at the end of the scene enraged, exclaiming Zounds