Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is the significance of the handkerchief in Othello, and what story does Othello tell about its origin?
Answer:
The handkerchief in Othello is a central icon. Othello narrates that it was given to his mother by an Egyptian, a charmer who claimed it would make her amiable and subdue Othello’s father entirely to her love. Losing or giving away the handkerchief would result in his father loathing his mother.
What practical and material details does Othello provide about the handkerchief, and how does it differ from the source in Cinthio’s Gli Hecatommithi?
Answer:
Othello mentions that the worms used to make the handkerchief were hallowed and that it was dyed in mummy. In Cinthio’s Gli Hecatommithi, the handkerchief is described simply as embroidered delicately in the Moorish fashion. Shakespeare’s version includes red strawberries in the embroidery, a detail not present in the source.
What is the symbolic significance of the strawberries on the handkerchief, and what interpretations are suggested by the footnote in the Arden edition?
Answer:
The strawberries on the handkerchief are symbolic, and the Arden edition suggests various interpretations, including hidden evil, the purity of the Virgin, or drops of blood. The footnote on page 237 offers these possibilities for understanding the symbolic meaning of the strawberries
How does the handkerchief fit into the cultural history of the Renaissance, and what does Norbert Elias argue about its introduction?
Answer:
In the Renaissance, the handkerchief was an expensive luxury item with a history dating back to the medieval period. According to Norbert Elias, the introduction of the handkerchief for blowing and wiping the nose marked a shift in the civilizing process, reinforcing class distinctions. Handkerchiefs were precious, richly embroidered, and given as New Year’s gifts to the queen.
What does Othello’s transfer of the handkerchief to Desdemona symbolize in the play?
Answer:
Othello’s transfer of the handkerchief to Desdemona symbolizes a significant act in the play. The handkerchief, with its intricate history and symbolic elements, becomes a focal point representing love, trust, and fidelity. Its loss and misuse contribute to the tragic unfolding of events.
How does Othello’s detailed description of the handkerchief reflect his character and mindset in the play?
Answer:
Othello’s detailed description of the handkerchief reflects his susceptibility to manipulation. His focus on the practical and material details of the handkerchief showcases his vulnerability to Iago’s scheming, highlighting the tragic consequences of Othello’s trust in Iago’s deceitful narrative.
Describe the cover image of the 1997 Arden edition of Othello and its significance.
Answer:
The cover features a striking image of a single, white handkerchief suspended in mid-air against a smoky grey background. The image emphasizes the centrality of the handkerchief in the play, providing “ocular proof” that the handkerchief is white. This image underscores the importance of the controversial fabric in the narrative.
What does the identification of the spotted strawberry pattern on the handkerchief suggest about its origin?
Answer:
The identification of the spotted strawberry pattern on the handkerchief suggests a home-grown tradition, as strawberries were frequently represented in English domestic embroidery from the period. This domestication aligns with the prevalent color aesthetic in current criticism.
How does Farah Karim-Cooper associate the colors of the handkerchief with Desdemona, and what racial presupposition does this reveal among scholars?
Answer:
Farah Karim-Cooper identifies the red and white colors of the napkin as symbols of the ‘Anglo-European feminine ideal’ found in Desdemona. This analysis reflects a racial presupposition among scholars, linking the redness of the embroidered pattern and the whiteness of the handkerchief to Desdemona’s body, virginal blood, and white flesh.
What visual picture does Shakespeare create for the audience regarding the handkerchief, according to many critics?
Answer:
Many critics argue that Shakespeare insistently created a highly visual picture for the audience—a square piece of white linen spotted with strawberry-red fruit. This visual image is often associated with Desdemona and her embodiment of the Anglo-European feminine ideal.
According to Lynda E. Boose, what is the symbolic significance of the handkerchief as a representation of Othello and Desdemona’s consummated marriage?
Answer:
Lynda E. Boose suggests that the handkerchief serves as a visually recognizable reduction of Othello and Desdemona’s wedding-bed sheets, providing visual proof of their consummated marriage. The handkerchief, spotted with strawberries, is seen as a miniature representation of the wedding sheets.
How does the symbolism of the handkerchief connect to the recurring motif of the bed in Othello?
Answer:
Apart from the handkerchief, the other significant stage prop in Othello is the bed, including references to ‘sheets’ mentioned twenty-five times. The handkerchief, as a representation of the wedding sheets, connects symbolically to the theme of marital consummation, adding depth to the narrative
What is the initial presentation of the handkerchief in Othello, and how is it closely identified with Othello?
Answer:
Initially, the handkerchief in Othello is presented as a portable version or extension of Othello, kept by Desdemona ‘evermore about her / To kiss and talk to’ (3.3.299-300). The handkerchief is closely identified with Othello, serving as a substitute self and a pledge of marital fidelity.
What role does the handkerchief play in signaling the marriage’s dissolution, and how does its African provenance reinforce its connection to Othello’s identity?
Answer:
The handkerchief, as a substitute self, signals the marriage’s dissolution if separated or lost. Its African provenance, established by being passed from Othello’s mother to him and then to Desdemona, reinforces its connection to Othello’s identity. The rules of ownership, safekeeping, and fidelity are established by the Egyptian charmer mentioned in the play.
How does Othello’s explanation of the silk being ‘dyed in mummy’ strengthen the association of the handkerchief with his African history and heritage?
Answer:
Othello explains that the high-quality silk of the handkerchief was dyed in mummy, signifying bitumen extracted from mummified corpses. This Egyptian technique strengthens the association of the handkerchief with Othello’s African history and heritage, linking it to the discourse of race and witchcraft discussed by Brabantio earlier in the play.
