Symbols

Question 1

What is a handkerchief a symbol of in medieval and renaissance poetry?

Answer 1

A woman’s romantic favor

Question 2

What was a particular ritual in European medieval times involving a handkerchief?

Answer 2

A lady would drop her handkerchief for a knight to pick up and keep as a token of her regard

Question 3

What does Othello giving a handkerchief to Desdemona represent?

Answer 3

A symbol of their requited love

Question 4

Who did the handkerchief originally belong to and what does this symbolize?

Answer 4

An Egyptian sorcerer, represents the illusions that Iago is ‘casting’ through his plotting

Question 5

Who is commonly compared to animals?

Answer 5

Othello

Question 6

What are some quotes which show animalistic imagery towards Othello?

Answer 6

‘Black ram’ ‘Barbary horse’ ‘

Question 7

What is a quote which show animalistic imagery towards Desdemona?

Answer 7

‘Beautiful creature’

Question 8

What is the animal imagery always linked to?

Answer 8

Prejudice

Question 9

How does the animal imagery show prejudice?

Answer 9

It’s a way of defining a person as sub-human, something that deserves to be controlled or humiliated