Othello Part 2, Blog 2- Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is one of the main literary techniques used in Shakespeare's Othello, The Moor of Venice. Many symbols, events, and lines can point readers in the right direction to predict the future of these characters. With the sighting of the handkerchief once again, we know trouble is on its way. Othello, now sure of Desdemona's affair, wants to kill her. Iago even suggests strangling her. Death is an absolute certainty in this tragedy. When Desdemona is crying to Emilia about her encounter with Othello, she does not understand why he believes that she has been unfaithful. Then her line, "If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me in one of those same sheets," (Shakespeare IV. iii. 23-24) foreshadows her imminent death. She tells Emilia that she loves Othello so much that if she dies, she wants to be buried in her wedding sheets. Not only does this clearly let the audience know that Desdemona will not make it out, but that Emilia will.