In Othello, black and white are represented by Othello and Desdemona. While Desdemona is pearl white and represents purity, innocence, beauty and virginity, Othello is considered uncultured, primitive, fear, anger and inferiority. These motifs are used profusely by Iago and other character like BrabRead more
In Othello, black and white are represented by Othello and Desdemona. While Desdemona is pearl white and represents purity, innocence, beauty and virginity, Othello is considered uncultured, primitive, fear, anger and inferiority.
These motifs are used profusely by Iago and other character like Brabantio, Rodrigo etc. In other instance and quite unconventionally, Shakespeare represents evil Iago with white ethnicity and virtuous Othello with black skin and Moorish ethnicity.
The handkerchief is an object of immense emotional value to Othello as it is one of the last vestige of his mother. He presents it to Desdemona to show his love and devotion to her. The white colour and red embroidery on it, represent the chastity of a virgin blood. Therefore as long as she kept itRead more
The handkerchief is an object of immense emotional value to Othello as it is one of the last vestige of his mother. He presents it to Desdemona to show his love and devotion to her.
The white colour and red embroidery on it, represent the chastity of a virgin blood. Therefore as long as she kept it with her, symbolically she remained loyal and chaste, at least in the eyes of Othello.
When Emilia steals it on Iago’s behest and then Iago gives it to a prostitute to claim it as a gift from Cassio, it signifies the ultimate betrayal and humiliation for Othello. This leads his anger and jealousy overboard and he ends up smothering his wife to death.
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