~Handkerchief imagery~ Othello gave Desdemona an handkerchief as a sign of his love, so the handkerchief is a symbol of his love to her. When she looses it/Emilia steals it from her, it becomes evidence for Othello than Desdemona no longer loves him. The Handkerchief's meaning does therefore change through out the story as it first is to prove his love, and then to prove her treachery.