What key tragic elements does Shakespeare present in this extract from 'Othello'?

This extract is taken after Iago has convinced Othello that his handkerchief has been passed onto Cassio, and Desdemona has rather ironically proclaimed that Othello is immune from jealousy as 'The sun where he was born//Drew all such humours from him'. In this extract, Shakespeare accentuates Othello's rising jealousy through the cruel insinuations he makes, the importance of the handkerchief as a symbol of fidelity and the characterisation of Desdemona as a victim as she is helplessly subject to Othello's psychological pressure. Also, the disintegrating relationship between Othello and Desdemona is exposed, while the tragic silence of Emilia evokes irritation and anger.

Contrary to the noble Othello we were first introduced to in the opening acts, we are now subject to a transformed character who makes lewd and cruel insinuations regarding Desdemona's supposed infidelity. This can be evinced in the reference to her 'Hot, hot and moist' 'hand', which to an Elizabethan audience would be a ubiquitous indication of promiscuity and adultery. Yet Desdemona shows agency and strength in response to these crude remarks, turning the amoral insinuations around and seeking to remind Othello of the love she holds for him through referencing their marriage and 'twas that hand that gave away my heart.' This evokes admiration for her, though Shakespeare also paradoxically creates pity for Desdemona in this extract too. Rather unfortunately, Desdemona also serves to promote Cassio, stating, 'I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.' Using dramatic irony, Shakespeare has planted Desdemona's line here to create dramatic tension, as we know the reference to Cassio's suit will only magnify Othello's jealousy.

Though the faith Othello places in the handkerchief as an unwavering indication of Desdemona's infidelity, can be perceived as absurd and to an extent comedic, this dramatic prop holds great significance in engendering and sealing Desdemona's tragic faith. Indeed, Othello pays great attention to its nature and origins in a dramatic monologue, utilising blank verse and high poetic diction to conjure images of 'hallowed' 'worms' 'that did breed the silk' and stating that 'there's magic in the web of it.' The mystical and supernatural semantic field demonstrates the otherworldly, sacred power the handkerchief holds. These monologues regarding the handkerchief is reminiscent of Othello's monologue in Act 1.2, whereby he told of the extravagant tales of 'hair-breadth escapes', tales of his life that wooed Desdemona. However, whilst the speech in Act 1.2 served to exemplify his heroic experiences and bravery, this monologue about the handkerchief is intended to breed guilt in Desdemona or perhaps get a confession from her, which accentuates the decline of the tragic hero from a chivalric, kind soldier to a nasty and cruel monster ruled by jealousy.

Whilst there are elements that display Desdemona's strength in this extract, such as her not succumbing to Othello's malicious remarks about her 'frank' and 'moist' hands, as well as perseveringly standing by the pledge she made to Cassio to convince Othello to reinstate him as lieutenant, there is an overarching portrayal of her as a helpless and innocent victim. Arguably this is most explicitly displayed in the power imbalance between Othello and Desdemona that is presented in the contrasting form of their speeches. Othello has long monologues and on the other hand Desdemona responds with short, sharp rhetorical ripostes that are ridden with guilt: 'Is't possible?' and 'Indeed! Is't true?'. Due to dramatic irony we as an audience are cognizant that it is Iago's machinations that are responsible for the handkerchief not being returned to Desdemona, and therefore we know she is wholly innocent. Hence, her helplessness and lack of power over the situation evokes great pathos for her. In addition, after this extract Desdemona forgives Othello, stating that he has been 'indicted falsely' and that we must 'not think all men are gods'. On the one hand this could evoke admiration in audiences as it demonstrates her resolute and powerful love for Othello, yet on the other it illustrates Desdemona's lack of agency and is perhaps a reflection of the gender power imbalance in the patriarchal early modern era when the play was constructed, whereby wives were expected to be subservient and passive to their husbands - behaviour that Desdemona conforms to after she has been insulted by her husband.

Moreover, Shakespeare illustrates the crumbling relationship between the two characters as they engage in combative short lines: 'Lend me thy handkerchief,//Here my lord.//That which I gave you//I have it not about me.' There has been a dramatic transformation between the harmonious couple we perceived in Act 2.2 who finished one another's shared lines of iambic pentameter, such as, 'O my fair warrior//O my dear Othello.' However now we are subject to their argumentative dialogue, and Shakespeare's implementation of this stichomythic form exemplifies the extent of the degeneration of the couple. Furthermore, it also creates dramatic tension through the fast pace of the shared lines and the cognizance of Desdemona's helplessness as we know she has lost the handkerchief that Othello is relentlessly asking for.

Another interesting yet more subtle dramatic method Shakespeare uses in this extract is the staging of the characters and tragic silence of Emilia. It can be interpreted that when watching the play, perceiving Emilia's presence during Othello and Desdemona's combative remarks perhaps creates hope, as we are presented with the possibility that Emilia may reveal Iago's diabolical role in dividing the couple. Instead, Emilia offers nothing except till after Othello has left making a comment on the unjust patriarchy of the society they exist in and using an allegory that 'men' are 'stomachs' and women are 'all but their food'. As such, she allows the perpetuation of their rising conflict and Othello's mistrust and sense of betrayal, which rather stimulates irritation and anger in the audience.

In conclusion, this extract serves to highlight the burgeoning jealousy that is taking hold of Othello, as well as the consequent victimization of Desdemona to this 'green-eyed monster'. Not only does this create great dramatic tension in the extract as we perceive their combative dialogue, yet it also forebodes of the dire consequences that will befall Desdemona and the role that the handkerchief plays in sealing her tragic fate.