But with a little act upon the blood,
Burn like the mines of sulphur.[23]
Five times the handkerchief is mentioned. The first time the action is such that Othello specially notices the handkerchief. The second time we find another reason why the Moor should specially remember the handkerchief, and learn that Iago wants it for some reason of his own. The third time appears the iteration,
... that same handkerchief?
Iago. What handkerchief?
Emilia. What handkerchief!
and emphasis on the ideas already stated:
Emilia. Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;
That which so often you did bid me steal.
The next time, the action, as Iago snatches the handkerchief and Emilia tries to get it back, holds it before our attention. Finally, Iago, left alone, tells us his malicious scheme in regard to it. Surely, after all this, the audience has been properly prepared for the scenes in which Iago deceives and enrages Othello by means of this very handkerchief.