As Desdemona hands him a normal handkerchief, Othello asks her where her special handkerchief is. He declares that his eyes are watering strangely, and asks if perhaps Desdemona has her handkerchief about her.This, of course, only inflames Othello's suspicions. To make matters worse, Desdemona changes the subject by reminding Othello that he promised to see Cassio (about getting his job back).This lengthy interlude is fun with wordplay, but it's also a scene that shows that Othello is suspicious but not yet furious at Desdemona, who will walk into her own damnation. Othello laments that in the old days, when one gave up their hand in marriage, they gave up their heart.Othello continues to riff on her perverted sexuality, as 'frank' also meant 'lusty' or 'unable to conceal secrets.' He then declares her hand is a frank one, which she interprets to mean generous (for she says it's the hand that gave away her heart).Othello waxes on about Desdemona's hand he says it's a hot hand, which means it should turn to prayer and fasting and other chaste pursuits so it doesn't fall victim to the passions. Othello asks Desdemona for her hand, and notes that it is moist, which was thought to be a sure mark of a lascivious person.Othello then enters the scene, clearly failing at his attempt to pretend that nothing's wrong. As Othello approaches the two women, Desdemona declares that she won't leave Othello alone until he's agreed to see Cassio.She claims Othello has no such jealousy because the sun of his native land sapped it up from him. Obviously upset to have lost it, Desdemona says that if Othello were the kind of guy to be jealous-which, of course, he isn't-her loss of the handkerchief would make him suspicious. She asks Emilia where on earth her handkerchief could've gone. The clown exits, and Desdemona is left with Emilia.She wants the clown to make it clear that she's been good to her word about asking Othello for Cassio's reinstatement. Desdemona chats with the clown and asks him to bring a message to Cassio that he should come visit her.

Othello act 3 scene 4