In Othello, what object symbolically represents trust and love in the relationship?

• A. The Ring
• B. The Handkerchief
• C. The Letter
• D. The Coin

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how a tangible object in a literary relationship can embody trust and love. In Othello, the handkerchief functions as that living symbol between Othello and Desdemona. It’s given as a personal pledge of fidelity and affection—a keepsake with a backstory tied to Othello’s mother and the idea of faithful love. Because Desdemona’s care and possession of the handkerchief become the visible proof of her loyalty, its presence or loss is interpreted as evidence of trust being intact or broken. Iago exploits this by making Othello believe Desdemona has been unfaithful based on what happens to the handkerchief, turning a token of love into a weapon that erodes trust. That direct link—the handkerchief as a sign of love and fidelity within the marriage—makes it the most fitting symbol for trust and love in their relationship. Other objects in the play don’t carry the same intimate, relational significance, so they don’t serve the same symbolic role.