The tragedy in the plot of Shakespeare’s Othello revolves around the title character’s mistrust of his own wife, Desdemona, his lieutenant Cassio and misplaced trust of Iago. Othello’s mistrust of Desdemona and Cassio stems from ideas planted by Iago, but these ideas are able to find a solid footing based on the timely absence and presence of Desdemona’s handkerchief. The handkerchief is able to have such an immense effect over Othello because of the importance it has for him. That importance stems from all the different ways that the handkerchief symbolically represents first love, fidelity, premarital virginity, but also what the handkerchief’s origins represents for his and Desdemona’s relationship. To him the handkerchief represents his and Desdemona’s love for each other because it was the first gift that Othello gave to her. This fact as told by Emilia in Act III, scene iii, “I am glad I have found this napkin/ This was her [Desdemona’s] first remembrance from the Moor [Othello]” (1271). This first “remembrance” was the first thing that Othello had given to Desdemona and it represented their first steps of life and love together. In the next scene, Act III, scene IV, Desdemona also laments her loss of it and says, “Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse/ Full of crusadoes; [than lost her handkerchief]” (1273). The fact that Desdemona would have rather lost a purse full of gold coins as opposed to the handkerchief shows not only its importance to her, but because she is so upset about it she knows how important it is to Othello. Iago also recognizes the importance of the handkerchief to Othello. Iago wants to cause Othello harm and his want has preceded the events of the play. After Emilia has acquired the handkerchief she gives it to Iago, because he has asked her to get it for him many times
