The Shakespeare Book

THE KING’S MAN 249

He requests that she pray so that
he can preserve her immortal
soul despite killing her body.
This suggests that the murder
is, in Othello’s mind at least,
an honor killing rather than a
vengeful killing.
Honor is a word that creeps into
the world of the characters. How
can Othello be honorable
if he is also a murderer? When
the truth is eventually known
to Othello, he calls for his own
damnation, claiming that
Desdemona is a “heavenly sight”
while he is a “cursèd, cursèd
slave” (5.2.283). The question on
everyone’s lips at the close of the
play relates to Iago. What will
happen to him now? Othello
accuses him of being a “demi-devil”
(5.2.307) and Lodovico calls him a

“hellish villain” (5.2.378). Iago

might have survived this tragedy,

but his torment will begin now, first

through earthly torture and then

in everlasting hellfire. Survival may

be his punishment.

The handkerchief

Othello’s handkerchief, which is

embroidered with strawberries,

is a key instrument of his marital

downfall. By attaching emotional

significance to this small object,

Othello makes himself vulnerable

to Iago’s scheming, and readily

accepts the theory that Desdemona

handed over this treasured gift

to her “lover.” The fact that

Desdemona lies about misplacing

it affirms her husband’s suspicions

about her infidelity.

This tiny prop comes to

represent the tension and mistrust

in Othello and Desdemona’s

marriage. So weighted is this

object that, in 1693, the historian

Thomas Rymer argued that the

play ought to be called “The

Tragedy of the Handkerchief.” ■

Villainy, villainy, villainy!

I think upon’t, I think. I smell’t.

O villainy!

Emilia

Act 5, Scene 2

Iago plays on

Othello’s jealousy

to further his own

plan. He wreaks his

revenge not only on

Othello, but also on

Desdemona and

Cassio. He exploits

Desdemona’s

youthful naivety,

and the character

flaws in Othello

and Cassio.

Othello

He is ready to believe the

words of his trusted comrade

Iago. He is already suspicious

and insecure by nature.

Iago

Cassio has been preferred to him as lieutenant,

and Iago suspects that it is Cassio’s friendship

with Desdemona that swung Othello’s decision.

Iago now has the motive to ruin all three.

The plotter

Key victims

Desdemona

She is loyal to her husband,

but Iago exploits her youth

to drive Othello mad

with jealousy.

Cassio

Young and handsome, with an

eye for women, he has all the

qualities Iago needs to make

Othello jealous of him.

Control Jealousy Naivety Lechery