Symbols in Othello

There are 2 important symbols in Othello:

1) The song “Willow”

The song has been sung by Desdemona in Act 5 when she is about to go to bed. The song is about a woman who is betrayed by her lover. She taught the song from her mother’s maid who has experienced the similar misfortune to the woman in the song. Even, she is singing the song when she died. The song lyrics are about man and woman who are unfaithful to each other. As for Desdemona, the song lyrics represent a melancholy and resigned acceptance of her difference from Othello’s affections. The song leads Desdemona to question Emilia about the nature and her view about infidelity.

2) The handkerchief

The handkerchief is the important symbol in Othello. Handkerchief has different symbol to different characters. As for Desdemona, handkerchief is the symbol of love, because she received it from Othello. She keeps the handkerchief as the symbol of Othello’s love towards her. On the other hand, the handkerchief has been a symbol of betrayal of trust by Iago. He manipulates the handkerchief to convinced Othello that Desdemona has betrayed Othello’s love by taking possession of the handkerchief. Besides that, to Othello himself, the handkerchief is very important. He tells Desdemona that it was woven by a 200 years old sibyl, using silk from sacred worms and dye extracted from the hearts of mummified virgins. Othello also claimed that the handkerchief belong to her late mother. Her mother kept the handkerchief as the symbol of loyalty to the marriage and Othello’s father. Therefore, Othello also feel the same way as his mother about the handkerchief. Furthermore, notice that the picture that has been sew on the handkerchief. The pattern of strawberries (dyed with virgin’s blood) on a white background strongly suggests the bloodstains is left on the sheets on a virgin’s wedding night, therefore, the handkerchief is proved to represent the symbol of virginity and infidelity in Othello.