Chapter Commentary of The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice - Study Guide by William Shakespeare

‘Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream,

And this may help to thicken other proofs

That do demonstrate thinly(3.3.431-433)

He moves on to mention the handkerchief, the crux of his plan. He has given many thin proofs, all of them his own words, but effective none the less because with them he paints images, visual experiences in Othello’s mind. The handkerchief is the final straw, the "trifle light as air" that finally convinces Othello. It is real, physical evidence, not just images in the mind. Othello has become so distraught on the basis of these virtual experiences that even so slight and circumstantial a piece of evidence as the handkerchief takes on a very powerful significance not only because the handkerchief itself is symbolic of fidelity but also because it is the first piece (and only piece) of tangible evidence.

Iago tells Othello that he saw Cassio wipe his beard on the handkerchief, an image of gross disrespect, laughing in the cuckold’s face. Othello, who has recently been somewhat ineloquent, regains his former eloquence to speak of revenge,

Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell,

Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne

To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,

For ‘tis of aspics’ tongues!(3.3.450-454)

Here again we see reference to animals, aspics being an Egyptian serpent. Both Othello and Iago kneel and reverently swear oaths of revenge. At last, Iago is made lieutenant.

Again, after this intense scene, the clown reappears, talking to Desdemona. The clown leaves and Emilia enters. Desdemona enquires about the handkerchief, saying that she would rather have lost "a purse full of crusadoes". She does not fear, however, as she thinks Othello "true of mind, and made of no such baseness / As jealous creatures are". This misconception is unfortunate. Othello enters. She does not understand the references he makes, speaking of her hand as "Hot, hot and moist", as "A liberal hand" and instead interrupts him to talk of Cassio. He asks for her handkerchief and when she tells him that she doesn’t have it, he talks of the "magic in its web" and its symbolism. He asks her for it again and she, trying to change the subject, asks him again to restore Cassio,

Othello:The handkerchief!

Desdemona:I pray, talk me of Cassio.

Othello:The handkerchief!

Desdemona:A man that all his time

Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,

Shared dangers with you –

Othello:The handkerchief!(3.4.93-98)