He assures her that he does not have any other lovers and he found the handkerchief in his home. He then gives her Desdemona’s lost handkerchief and asks her to copy the pattern, which instantly makes Bianca suspect that he’s been cheating on her with another woman. She is upset with Cassio for not seeing her for a week, but he promises to make it up to her. The two women leave Cassio, and Bianca pays him a visit. Emilia hopes that Desdemona is right, and that Othello’s anger isn’t coming from a place of jealousy, to which Desdemona scoffs that her husband has no reason to be jealous. Desdemona feels that Othello must have gotten so angry about the handkerchief because he’s so stressed and worried about something related to the situation in Cyprus and regrets judging him so harshly. Iago feigns surprise at this and leaves to go speak to Othello. Desdemona tells them that she has done all she can and will continue to do so, but that her husband is angry at the moment. Cassio and Iago arrive to ask Desdemona if Cassio will get reinstated as lieutenant. Desdemona insists that the handkerchief is not lost but is unable to prove it, which causes Othello to become increasingly angry, eventually storming out of the room. Othello angrily tells her that it was a gift from an egyptian to her mother who told her that as long as she kept it, her husband would have eyes for only her, but if she lost it, her husband would hold her in contempt and lust after other women. Othello complains of a cold and asks to borrow her handkerchief, but the one she offers to him is not the one he first gave to her. When Othello arrives, Desdemona tells him she sent for Cassio to come speak with him. She asks Emilia where she could have lost it but Emilia lies that she does not know.

She then searches for the handkerchief that she dropped earlier but cannot find it. Desdemona asks a clown to find out where Cassio is staying so that she may tell him that she has spoken to Othello about reinstating him as lieutenant and it seems everything will be alright.

Othello act 3 scene 4