Shakespeare scholar Lynda Boose argues that the strawberries symbolize blood and that the handkerchief itself represents wedding-bed sheets. It is described by Iago as being вЂњspotted with strawberriesвЂќ (3.3.494). But for Othello, the object is not considered and circumstantial evidence is able to replace ocular proof.Дespite Othello, the physical qualities of the handkerchief reinforce its symbolic meaning of marital fidelity. This is not to say that the reality of the object does not have the capacity to create the same symbolism. Rather, Othello imbues meaning upon the handkerchief that is so strong that it inspires the playвЂ™s tragedy. The symbolism is not attached to the physical or tangible for Othello.

Obviously, the handkerchief proves nothing, but that is not important to Othello. Othello has allowed the handkerchief to entirely assume its role as representative of DesdemonaвЂ™s sexual fidelity to him. O perjured woman, thou dost stone my heartДЄ murder, which I thought a sacrifice! (5.2.78-81) Yet this symbolic value is strong enough to convince Othello that Desdemona is worth killing over her supposed infidelity:Д«y heaven, I saw my handkerchief in hand! It could be any other object belonging to Desdemona and have the same symbolic value to Othello. In other words, the handkerchief itself does not matter. This symbolic nature has nothing to do with the physical reality of the handkerchief, but is a meaning imbued upon it by the situation in the play. OthelloвЂ™s demand for вЂњocular proofвЂќ (3.3.412) shows that he sees the handkerchief as representative of his wifeвЂ™s marital fidelity. This symbolic meaning is both an incidental imbuement of the characters and a meaning tied to physical reality.

The handkerchief as sexual virtue is a symbolic relationship that drives the critical action in the play. The handkerchief is primarily symbolic of DesdemonaвЂ™s sexual virtue. The physical and symbolic meanings of the handkerchief overlap, indicating the most powerful interpretations for such a dramatically important trifle. The meaning of the handkerchief for Othello becomes divorced from its physical reality, despite still having a defined physical space as a stage prop and as the playвЂ™s most important motif. The separation of physical and abstract symbolism becomes most critical in the play when Othello decides to accept the circumstantial (and false) evidence of the handkerchief as physical proof: вЂњNow I do see вЂtis trueвЂќ (3.3.504). Two different descriptions of the handkerchief are given which suggests that the physical reality of the handkerchief and its meaning to the characters are separate. At the same time, the physical handkerchief retains symbolic importance. In Othello the handkerchief has both physical and symbolic interpretations: the characters imbue meanings upon the handkerchief that are incidental to its physical reality. The handkerchief symbolizes love, virginity, power, marriage, ocular proof, and race to name a few. The Shroud of Turin aside, few pieces of cloth have been analyzed as much as DesdemonaвЂ™s handkerchief in ShakespeareвЂ™s The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice. DesdemonaвЂ™s Handkerchief: The Nexus between Incidental and Physical

Symbolism in othello