DESDEMONA: Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?
EMILIA: I know not, madam.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 3, Scene 4. As predicted by Emilia in the previous scene, Desdemona is worried about the missing handkerchief given to her by Othello. The handkerchief is precious and to Othello symbolizes fidelity. Emilia lies to Desdemona by saying she knows nothing about this, when in fact her husband asked her to steal it for him. Her misguided loyalty to the scheming Iago will have tragic consequences.