Bianca

1. Bianca Cypriot Whore (loose morals) Name means – White Deals with Jealousy as well Has possession of the handkerchief

2. During the Renaissance that this delicate accessory reached it’s height of fame. • The 16th Century versions were of a fine linen, cambric or lawn cloth and embroidered with colored silks and edged with a beautiful lace and sometimes weighted at the ends with buttons or tassels.

3. In Italy it was popular to embroider them with fine, drawn threadwork or with delicate patterns in red silks. Later in the century as lace began to grow in popularity, it became fashionable to edge them with bobbin and needle laces. As the lace edged versions became more popular it also became fashionable for gentlemen to carry them. People of great wealth carried extremely elaborate versions. • During the reign of Queen Elizabeth the handkerchief made rapid progress.

4. It became popular to give them as favors to admirers and this engendered their use as a dainty flirtation. These favors were typically 3-4 inches square, embroidered all around with silk thread and had buttons attached to the corners and sometimes at the center. The best of these were also edged with a gold lace. An interesting look into the records of New Year’s gifts received by Queen Elizabeth shows just how popular these items were as gifts. In 1562 she received 72 handkerchiefs, most of which were embroidered with silks of various colors including several done completely in red or black. • People have loved and appreciated the handkerchief for centuries. And whether it was a Patrician woman cheering for a game, a Fifteenth Century Lady expressing her love to her Lord, or a loyal subject making a gift to a Queen.

10. SYMBOL • “Ocular Proof” • Carnal Desire • Virginity • Female Sexuality • Blood stained sheets • Token of Love and mutual faithfulness

11. Post Viewing QUESTIONS • What is your personal take of Othello, the movie version that we watched? • What are the universal qualities and themes that originate in Shakespeare’s Othello? • Is Othello a stereotype? • Is Iago plausible as a character (in terms of motivation and behavior)? • What is the statement about being an outsider?

12. Handkerchief as Symbol • 1. Cassio/Bianca 2. Emilia 3. Iago 4. Desdemona 5. Othello • Literal Meaning/Figurative Meaning. • Describe the level of Importance of the symbol to the character(s). • Examine the effect on the relationships of character(s) to others. (How do the relationships change?) • Consider its use as foreshadowing. • Consider how this symbol is a “test of character” for the character(s). • 1-2 solid quotations of support for any of the above. (Literal, figurative, level of importance…)

13. SYMBOL of the HandkerchiefBeginning in ACT III-Through ACT V • Examine as a “test of character.” • Examine as foreshadowing. • Examine as a plot device. Track its movements from character to character. How is this representative of its degradation? • Some directors have Cassio appear at the end with his cut leg bandaged with the handkerchief. What do you think of this choice? • 1. Cassio/Bianca 2. Emilia 3. Iago 4. Desdemona 5. Othello

14. In Pairs: reread the ‘presenting’ scene. III. 3. 287-317 • Describe the balance of power between them. • Do they look at or touch each other? When? • Describe Iago’s demeanor: seductive, bullying, threatening or something else. • Is his desire for the handkerchief obvious? Or does he fake a lack of interest? • Do his voice, manner, and tactics change at any point? If so, where and why? • Is the handkerchief always visible? When does it become revealed? • At what point does Emilia surrender the handkerchief to Iago and why? • Describe Emilia’s demeanor: flirtatious, reluctant, resisting. • Does she feel satisfied? Guilty? Apprehensive? Cheated? Angry?

15. Developing THEME STATEMENTS • Appearance vs. Reality • Jealousy • Prejudice • Honor and Reputation • Danger of Isolation • Incompatibility of Military Heroism and Love • Over vs. Chaos • Honesty and misrepresentation