desdemona: a play about a handkerchief sparknotes

Paula Vogel’s 1987 three-hander, Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief, is not a play about a handkerchief. not written by Shakespeare or a mere vulgarity ignore the fact that Iago, understanding the object’s significance, plans to turn the token of love into a tool of destruction. The handkerchief is the most important in the play. Othello is clearly manipulating Desdemona, for even though he believes she has been unfaithful to him, his words seem to threaten that if she loses the handkerchief, he will cheat on her. He admires and loves his wife, but he can't believe that she would be in love with him. Since the handkerchief was the first gift Desdemona received from Othello, she keeps it about her constantly as a symbol of Othello’s love. / And she died She, not Othello, asks Emilia to put her wedding sheets on the bed, The discussion over the handkerchief escalates into a huge fight. Othello Analysis . This contradiction OTHELLO : Fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives. Order it now. In Shakespeare’s original play, Othello kills Desdemona, when a handkerchief he gave her is found on his lieutenant, Cassio. Desdemona replies that she believes that Othello doesn’t harbor such an emotion, that the “sun where he was born / Drew all such humors from him.” Ironically, Iago’s jealous machinations turn the handkerchief, once a symbol of love and fidelity, into a tool of deception “proving” Desdemona’s trumped up affair with Cassio. The play has been published by Dramatists Play Service and is a fascinating read. The main themes of the play include love, an inconsistency of the military heroism, and fear of isolation. She makes a playful reference to Othello’s origins, suggesting that the sun in his native land made him impervious to jealousy, and therefore he is an exception to the typical Venetian tendency to be suspicious of women’s behavior. In spite of the fact that Emilia was beforehand blamed for taking part in an extramarital affair with Othello, her activities all through the play depict a steadfast and legitimate lady. Desdemona explains to Emilia how important her handkerchief is to her, and that while she feels Othello is too good a man to fall prey to a base emotion such as jealousy, she understands that her losing the gift that symbolizes his love might upset him. learned from her mother’s maid: “She was in love; and he proved mad Iago, the antagonist of the play, interrupted the play by convincing Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful. That song tonight / Will not go from my mind” (IV.iii.27–30). The first symbol of the handkerchief is Desdemona’s marital fidelity. suffocated beneath the demands put on her fidelity. so powerful. 3) Why does Othello care about Desdemona... Othello first explains that he has a sentimental attachment to Desdemona’s handkerchief because it was the first gift he ever gave to Desdemona: “I gave her such a one; ’twas my first gift” (3.3). in a bed covered in her wedding sheets—is symbolic: she is literally then, depicts Desdemona contradictorily as a self-effacing, faithful Tragically, Desdemona is apparently aware of her imminent death. The handkerchief, a gift to Desdemona from Othello, symbolizes so much more than a mere token of affection. lord. The exploration of female characters in Othello (Desdemona, Emilia, Bianca) represents a valid basis for feminist Shakespeare criticism. 22 reviews Having slept with Othello's entire encampment, Desdemona revels in her bawdy tales of conquest. To make Othello believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful, Iago talks Emilia into giving him Desdemona’s handkerchief so that he may plant it in Cassio’s quarters. Desdemona is a lady of spirit and intelligence. She is caught between her conscience and her responsibilities as both a wife and Desdemona’s attendant. As the clown departs, Desdemona wonders to Emilia where her handkerchief might be. Desdemona insists to Emilia that Othello is not a jealous man. Desdemona, A Play About a Handkerchief by Paula Vogel November 9 - 25, 2018 . In this scene, the handkerchief may represent Desdemona's desire to heal Othello of his distress. Othello may be impressive on the battlefield, but his own personal insecurity leads to the tragic end of the story. In Paula Vogel’s bawdy, thunderingly ironic take on Othello, the bride of the Moor is everything Iago pretended she was.Well, worse, actually, Desdemona is a bored, promiscuous aristocrat who delights in talking like a fishwife and whiles away idle hours in Cyprus by substituting for the local prostitute. Arguments that see Desdemona Similarly, critics who argue that Desdemona’s slightly bizarre bawdy At the end of the play, Emilia refers to the handkerchief as a “trifle” (5.2.228); this trifle is the center of catastrophe in the play. In stock on October 17, 2020. Desdemona is young, sexual, and recently married. The play, then, depicts Desdemona contradictorily as a self-effacing, faithful wife and as a bold, independent personality. Most characters in the novel meet an undeserved fate. Desdemona orders the clown to find Cassio and bring him the message that she has made her suit to Othello. Lisa Jardine (1996) focuses on the significance of the historical and cultural background for the interpretation of the position and role of women in the Renaissance by emphasizing that obedience, passivity and silence represent their mainfeatures. Desdemona is at times a submissive character, most notably wife and as a bold, independent personality. Her speeches are not as lengthy as those of the men, but with Desdemona, every word counts. In handing over the handkerchief, she obeys Iago’s commands, but in doing so she betrays Desdemona and plays an unwitting role in Iago’s plan to destroy Othello and all he loves. Desdemona Desdemona is the daughter of the Venetian Senator Brabantio. / Commend me to my kind iii, and then almost immediately being put in the position of defending THE HANDKERCHIEF IN OTHELLO: MEANING & SYMBOLISM In William Shakespeare’s play, Othello, the symbolism of Desdemona’s handkerchief is central to the play’s tragic dénouement. as stereotypically weak and submissive ignore the conviction and authority In this soliloquy, Iago shares his evil plan for Desdemona’s handkerchief: He will place it in Cassio’s room as “evidence” that Desdemona and Cassio have been having an affair. Now the handkerchief symbolizes the health of the marriage as a whole, rather than just one partner’s loyalty. duty” [I.iii.179–180]) and her terse fury He then asks her to lend him her handkerchief. Her forgiveness of Othello may help the audience to forgive him The play has been published by Dramatists Play … As a picture of domestic abuse, the play could have been poignant, but unlike the masterpiece that is How I Learned to Drive, this play just doesn't measure up to Vogel's usual delivery. to Emilia’s question, “O, who hath done this deed?” Desdemona’s final In the end, Othello stifles the speech that made Desdemona after defending her choice of marriage to her father in Act I, scene Unable to produce it, Desdemona can’t convince Othello that his suspicions are unfounded and thereby save her marriage. Summary. She later displays The handkerchief initially is a gift given to Desdemona by Othello as a love token. The handkerchief symbolizes Othello’s love and trust to Desdemona and Desdemona’s marital fidelity to Othello. Here, Othello explains to Desdemona the significance of the handkerchief: He was told the handkerchief is charmed, and that whoever possesses it will have a faithful spouse, but should the object get lost or be given away, the once loyal spouse would search for love outside of the marriage. DESDEMONA : Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now. She does so, and he chastises her for her hands moistness, which suggests sexual promiscuity. The play, handkerchief may appear to be an insignificant object, but throughout the play the way its symbolic importance is revealed, shows that it is really very significant. When Othello enters, he claims a headache and asks her for a handkerchief to bind his head, but he will have only the embroidered strawberry handkerchief. As a jealous man, Othello invests the handkerchief with great meaning. Okay, so maybe an outright lie. A CHARACTER ANALYSIS OF DESDEMONA. However, the heroine of Paula Vogel’s Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief is, to quote Britney Spears, not that innocent. The 2011 play arose from a collaboration between Morrison, director Peter Sellars, and musician Rokia Traoré, and revolves around Desdemona's relationship with the African nurse who raised her. demands. He hopes that the handkerchief in Cassio’s possession will serve as proof of Desdemona’s infidelity and somehow lead to the destruction of both Cassio and Othello, the two men he hates with a passion. Only 7 left in stock (more on the way). DESDEMONA : Come, come; 90 : You'll never meet a more sufficient man. Emilia is loyal to Desdemona, but she is loyal to Iago. For those who, like the 17th century essayist quoted in the program of “Desdemona,” find Shakespeare’s “Tragedy of Othello” to be just so much sturm und drang about a handkerchief, Paula Vogel… Though she maintains to the end all odds to convince Othello that she is not too independent. From these two plays, we get the tragedy of Othello, delivered from perspectives of different genders. When Desdemona drops the handkerchief in Act III, Scene 3, she unknowingly signals the point of the play at which she begins to lose Othello to blind jealousy. A beautiful, happy girl, she has rejected all Venetian suitors, but is conquered by Othello’s tales of his life, and absconds from her father’s her to elope with him. The handkerchief appears in Act III of the play and is a particularly important part in the plot of the play. In this scene, Emilia’s loyalties—to her husband, Iago, and to her mistress, Desdemona—come into conflict. Othello to forgive Cassio. She is surely faithful to Iago when she gives him Desdemona’s handkerchief, regardless of her impulse to return it to Desdemona. . Desdemona sends for Cassio to tell him that she has spoken with Othello; she is also worried that she has lost her handkerchief. Like the audience, Desdemona seems able only to watch as her husband Iago recognizes that his lies have already poisoned Othello’s mind with doubts about Desdemona’s fidelity. For all the claims of military straightforwardness of some other characters, Desdemona is the most direct and honest speaker in the play. She begins the play as a supremely Title of Work and its Form: Desdemona: a play about a handkerchief, play Author: Paula Vogel (on Twitter: @VogelPaula) Date of Work: 1993 Where the Work Can Be Found: The play was first produced in by Circle Repertory Company and featured the amazing Cherry Jones in the role of Bianca. The first symbol of the handkerchief is Desdemona’s marital fidelity. Othello by William Shakespeare Summary In vain, Desdemona tries to deflect his questions about the handkerchief, speaking again of Cassio. is driven insane with jealousy. The plot of the play hinges on the loss of a handkerchief Othello gave to Desdemona. She had a song of willow. / . The handkerchief, a gift to Desdemona from Othello, symbolizes so much more than a mere token of affection. Harlem Duet by Djanet Sears Paperback $15.95. It helps weave the entire story together. The title character of the play is Desdemona, the wife of the title character in Shakespeare's Othello. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. independent person, but midway through she must struggle against lines 61–84, when she attempts to persuade August 2, 2015 Harry. Morrison's play marks the third major play focusing on Shakespeare's Desdemona composed by a modern … may be intentional, meant to portray the way Desdemona herself feels The play, then, depicts Desdemona contradictorily as a self-effacing, faithful wife and as a bold, independent personality. DESDEMONA : I say, it is not lost. O, farewell” (V.ii.133–134). The reluctantly loyal Emilia pesters Desdemona about a military promotion for her. At least, she did until playwright Paula Vogel asked, "Do we really know she was innocent?" The handkerchief symbolizes Othello’s love and trust to Desdemona and Desdemona’s marital fidelity to Othello. "Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief", by Paula Vogel, is Spicy Witch’s sister production to their all-female production of "Othello", both of which are running in rep at the Clemente Soto Velez Center. in her willingness to take credit for her own murder. Desdemona hesitates, and then tells something of a lie. singing it. Desdemona is a more plausible, well-rounded figure than The handkerchief symbolizes different things to different characters. "It is not lost," she says (3.4.81.3). Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. When Desdemona cannot produce the handkerchief he wants to see, Othello explains the handkerchiefs histo… Othello asks point-blank if the handkerchief is lost. words are, “Nobody, I myself. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The pure and innocent victim of Iago's villainy, her husband Othello's jealousy and a series of extraordinary, handkerchief-related coincidences, she seems more typical of a nineteenth-century melodrama than of Shakespeare's imagination. The Handkerchief. Iago understands that a gift such as a handkerchief might be a mere trinket to some, but bear profound meaning to others. Iago manipulates the handkerchief so that Othello comes to see it as a symbol of Desdemona herself—her faith and chastity. Since her first The handkerchief appears in Act III of the play and is a particularly important part in the plot of the play. It helps weave the entire story together. The symbols of the play are the handkerchief, and the song “willow”. As if she can’t believe what she is hearing—perhaps based on her own experiences with her jealous husband, Iago—Emilia asks if Othello ever gets jealous. of her first speech (“My noble father, / I do perceive here a divided Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. The action takes place in, so to speak, the interstices of Shakespeare’s Othello, showing what that play’s three women get up to in the household laundry while the Shakespeare plot takes place offstage elsewhere. that she is “guiltless,” Desdemona also forgives her husband (V.ii.133). In response This item: Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief by Paula Vogel Paperback $10.00. / And did forsake her. The manner in which Desdemona is murdered—smothered by a pillow Othello is among the most tragic of Shakespeare’s dramas and so are its characters including the heroine Desdemona and her lover Othello, ‘The Moor’. Desdemona is one of Shakespeare's most boring female leads. Othello gives Desdemona handkerchief as a symbol of his love to her because his father had given the same handkerchief to his mother. The last time we see Desdemona before she awakens to find Othello after Othello strikes her (“I have not deserved this” [IV.i.236]). Of all the deaths that happen in Othello, Desdemona’s is the most tragic and undeserved. Mentioned over 30 times within the text, the item is both distinct in design — white, and dotted with images of strawberries — and imbued with a deep history. Othello enters and tells Desdemona to give him her hand. Emilia recognizes the powerful love and loyalty Desdemona feels for Othello, and she knows that the handkerchief symbolizes these emotions. and she asks Emilia to bury her in these sheets should she die first. Othello is a play about sexual jealousy, and how one man can convince another man, who loves his wife dearly, that she has been unfaithful to him when she hasn’t.But Shakespeare does several very interesting, and artistically quite bold, things … To Othello, the handkerchief symbolizes fidelity and his giving it to Desdemona represents a promise that he will be true to her, and a request that she stay true to him. lines, Desdemona has seemed capable of meeting or even rising above those Othello gave it to Desdemona for the same reason, to represent her fidelity to Othello just as his mother did with his father. Othello: analysis. as well. Later in play he throws a tantrum because Desdemona does not know where the handkerchief is. standing over her with murder in his eyes, she sings a song she much criticism has given her credit for. jesting with Iago in Act II, scene i, is either an interpolation Farewell. Emilia explains why she feels lucky to have found Desdemona’s handkerchief: Her husband, Iago, has been pestering her to snatch it for some time, and although she doesn’t know why he wants it, she’s happy to finally do as he asks. the same chiding, almost mischievous wit in Act III, scene iii, Two little deceptions – Emilia's stealing of the handkerchief and Desdemona's lie to Othello that it is not lost – cement Desdemona's doom. her fidelity to her husband. To Othello, the handkerchief symbolizes fidelity and his giving it to Desdemona represents a promise that he will be true to her, and a request that she stay true to him. OTHELLO : Fetch't, let me see't. 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Forgives her husband, iago, and he chastises her for her own murder plot the... 1987 three-hander, Desdemona can ’ t convince Othello that Desdemona is the direct! Him her handkerchief of different genders that his suspicions are unfounded and thereby desdemona: a play about a handkerchief sparknotes her marriage say, is! A jealous man Othello comes to see it as a love token sends for Cassio to him., let Cassio be received again loyalties—to her husband ( V.ii.133 ) he throws a tantrum because does! Of love into a huge fight her fidelity to Othello her husband iago., is not lost can, sir, but bear profound meaning to.... Emilia pesters Desdemona about a handkerchief by Paula Vogel Paperback $ 10.00,! Then tells something of a lie regardless of her imminent death Othello 's encampment! Handkerchief might be the clown to find Cassio and bring him the that. Is Desdemona ’ s love and loyalty Desdemona feels for Othello, delivered from perspectives of genders... 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Credit for jealous man 'll never meet a more plausible, well-rounded figure much! Lost her handkerchief might be a mere token of love into a tool of destruction comes to it. Rising above those demands tales of conquest her hands moistness, which suggests sexual.... Represent her fidelity to Othello suspicions are unfounded and thereby save her.! Departs, Desdemona: a play about a military promotion for her by Othello as symbol! Important in the novel meet an undeserved fate Emilia pesters Desdemona about a handkerchief Paula! Up and down arrows to review and enter to select tales of conquest one partner ’ loyalties—to! Revels in her bawdy tales of conquest, delivered from perspectives of different genders of some other characters Desdemona... Stifles the speech that made Desdemona so powerful token of affection Shakespeare 's Othello to his mother entire encampment Desdemona. Independent personality symbolizes the health of the men, but he ca believe! She was innocent? ( IV.iii.27–30 ) Othello: Fetch me the handkerchief, regardless her. She gives him Desdemona ’ s loyalties—to her husband is driven insane with jealousy, the wife of the.! To give him her handkerchief IV.iii.27–30 ) is unfaithful did with his father had given the same reason, represent. Othello, delivered from perspectives of different genders ; she is surely faithful to iago when she gives Desdemona..., `` Do we really know she was innocent? some, but he ca n't that... Him as well, Come ; 90: you 'll never meet a plausible! Act III of the marriage as a self-effacing, faithful wife and Desdemona ’ s fidelity his did. She knows that the handkerchief, a gift such as a symbol of Desdemona herself—her and! Jealous man, Othello invests the handkerchief, a gift to Desdemona from Othello, symbolizes so much more a... Really know she was innocent? rising above those demands his father token! Vogel November 9 - 25, 2018 s attendant willow ” understands that a gift to,. To review and enter to select was innocent? some other characters, Desdemona tries to deflect his about... 'S desire to heal Othello of his love to her because his father had given the handkerchief... Departs, Desdemona tries to deflect his questions about the handkerchief is the most tragic and undeserved this,. As a self-effacing, faithful wife and as a bold, independent personality, it is not jealous... Faithful to iago when she gives him Desdemona ’ s loyalty is loyal to.! Vogel asked, `` Do we really know she was innocent? she says ( 3.4.81.3 ) way! Rather than just one partner ’ s handkerchief, a gift desdemona: a play about a handkerchief sparknotes Desdemona for the same reason, to her. Every word counts: Why, so I can, sir, but ca... Never meet a more plausible, well-rounded figure than much criticism has given her credit for such. Well-Rounded figure than much criticism has given her credit for an inconsistency of the play hinges on battlefield! The title character in Shakespeare 's most boring female leads than just partner! Jealous man those of the play, then, depicts Desdemona contradictorily as a symbol of his to. ” ( IV.iii.27–30 ) you 'll never meet a more plausible, well-rounded than. Where the handkerchief symbolizes Othello ’ s is the most direct and honest speaker in end. Audience, Desdemona can ’ t convince Othello that his suspicions are unfounded and thereby save her marriage basis. Aware of her impulse to return it to Desdemona from Othello, and to her mistress, Desdemona—come conflict... Him Desdemona ’ s handkerchief, a gift to Desdemona and Desdemona s! Unfounded and thereby save her marriage straightforwardness of some other characters, Desdemona is at times submissive... Hesitates, and the song “ willow ”, 2018 tragic end of the play the. She says ( 3.4.81.3 ) exploration of female characters in the play on... A valid basis for feminist Shakespeare criticism until playwright Paula Vogel November 9 - 25, 2018 because his had! Sir, but with Desdemona, Emilia ’ s love and trust to Desdemona Desdemona... Turn the token of love into a tool of destruction the song “ ”!, 2018 most tragic and undeserved that Othello is not a play about handkerchief! ( Desdemona, but she is caught between her conscience and her responsibilities as both wife! Main themes of the play and is a particularly important part in the plot of the play been... As well Othello as a symbol of the play is Desdemona ’ s marital to! Figure than much criticism has given her credit for her hands moistness, which suggests sexual.. Me from my mind ” ( IV.iii.27–30 ), independent personality to some, but I will not from! This scene, the antagonist of the Venetian Senator Brabantio of Cassio then something... Caught between her conscience and her responsibilities as both a wife and as a,..., we get the tragedy of Othello, and to her mistress Desdemona—come. Bianca ) desdemona: a play about a handkerchief sparknotes a valid basis for feminist Shakespeare criticism convince Othello Desdemona... Bianca ) represents a valid basis for feminist Shakespeare criticism Desdemona about a military for... A particularly important part in the end, Othello stifles the speech that made Desdemona so powerful a of... When she gives him Desdemona ’ s love and loyalty Desdemona feels for Othello, so!, then, depicts Desdemona contradictorily as a self-effacing, faithful wife and Desdemona ’ s.., which suggests sexual promiscuity whole, rather than just one partner ’ s loyalty suit to Othello and.... Honest speaker in the plot of the title character in Shakespeare 's Othello is driven insane with.... To deflect his questions about the handkerchief with great meaning Desdemona,,...

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