Shortly before Desdemona's death, she sings a song about willow trees, relating a similar event in the life of her mother's maid, Barbary. This is foreshadowing, as it essentially tells of Desdemona's story to come, however for the first audiences of the play it had a greater meaning: willow trees were contextually associated with death through Romany and Greek mythology, and then through Celtic and English folklore.
People believed that willow trees protected the souls of the dying, and so many old English churchyards are lined with them to guide souls to heaven; through this reference, Shakespeare not only hints at Desdemona's coming death but also points to her innate kindness and good qualities by suggesting that she will go to heaven - as we later learn Othello wishes her to, as he ensures that she has prayed before he kills her, meaning her sins will be forgiven.
Willow branches were placed on the coffins of the dead, or saplings planted on their graves, to ensure their safe passage into heaven; folklore also suggests that to plant a willow sapling when young and watch it grow would ease the passage of your soul upon death.
References are also made in modern culture; a reference is made in country song "Whiskey Lullaby" (from the late 2000s), which is embedded below, because it always makes me cry, and because I think we're all in need of some light relief about now!
"And then they buried her beneath the willow and the angel sung a Whiskey Lullaby..."
Ahh, Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss. Perfection doesn't come much more perfect. <3
- HistGrrl x
Hi, I cannot download the song. I have use also global custom writing's service to find the text and the author, but I would like to find the video as well. Can use specify the author of the song please?
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