EMILIA

Introduction

Emilia is one of the most intriguing characters in William Shakespeare's play "Othello." As
the wife of Iago, the villain of the play, she is caught in a web of lies and deception that
ultimately leads to tragic consequences. However, Emilia is more than just a pawn in Iago's
schemes. She is a complex character with her own thoughts, desires, and motivations. In this
essay, we will explore the role of Emilia in "Othello" and how she contributes to the play's
themes of jealousy, betrayal, and manipulation.

Emilia as a foil to Desdemona

One of the most significant aspects of Emilia's character is her role as a foil to Desdemona.
While Desdemona is portrayed as a virtuous and innocent character, Emilia is more worldly
and cynical. This contrast is evident in their relationships with their husbands. Desdemona is
completely devoted to Othello and is willing to sacrifice everything for him, while Emilia is
more pragmatic and sees her marriage to Iago as a transactional arrangement. This dichotomy
between the two women highlights the complexity of female relationships and the different
ways in which women navigate the patriarchal society in which they live.

Emilia's relationship with Iago

Emilia's relationship with Iago is one of the most fascinating aspects of her character. On the
surface, they appear to have a typical husband and wife dynamic, with Emilia appearing to be
subservient to Iago. However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that Emilia is not as
passive as she initially seems. She is aware of Iago's deceitful nature and is complicit in some
of his schemes, but she also has moments of defiance and independence.

One of the most memorable scenes in the play is when Emilia discovers that Iago has been
manipulating Othello and playing on his jealousy. Despite her loyalty to her husband, Emilia
is appalled by his actions and decides to reveal the truth to Othello. This act of bravery
ultimately leads to her own tragic demise, but it also demonstrates her moral integrity and
sense of justice.

Emilia's views on marriage and gender roles

Emilia's views on marriage and gender roles provide insight into the social context of the
play. As a woman living in a patriarchal society, Emilia is well aware of her subordinate
status and the limitations placed on women. However, she also challenges these norms and
expresses her discontent with the way women are treated.

In one scene, Emilia eloquently expresses her views on marriage, stating that women are not
inherently inferior to men and that they have the same desires and weaknesses. This speech
reflects Emilia's feminist beliefs and her desire for equality and autonomy. Despite her own
experiences of oppression and abuse, Emilia remains defiant and refuses to conform to
society's expectations of her.
Emilia's role in the play's themes

Emilia plays a crucial role in the play's exploration of themes such as jealousy, betrayal, and
manipulation. Her relationship with Iago is central to the plot, as it is through their
interactions that many of the play's conflicts are introduced and resolved. Emilia's loyalty to
Iago blinds her to his true intentions, but her eventual betrayal of him is a pivotal moment
that sets off a chain of events leading to the tragic conclusion of the play.

Emilia's relationship with Desdemona also highlights the theme of female friendship and
solidarity. Despite their differences, Emilia and Desdemona share a bond of sisterhood that
transcends social expectations and gender norms. Emilia's actions are driven by her love for
Desdemona and her desire to protect her, even at the cost of her own life.

Emilia's tragic demise

Emilia's tragic demise is one of the most moving moments in the play. Her death is a direct
result of her loyalty to Desdemona and her efforts to expose Iago's lies. In her final moments,
Emilia remains defiant and unrepentant, refusing to betray her principles or submit to Iago's
manipulation. Her death is a reminder of the consequences of betrayal and the importance of
standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

Emilia is a complex and multifaceted character in "Othello" who plays a crucial role in the
unfolding of the plot and the exploration of its central themes. Her relationship with Iago, her
views on marriage and gender roles, and her ultimate sacrifice all contribute to the rich
tapestry of the play. Emilia's character serves as a reminder of the power of female agency
and the importance of speaking out against injustice, even in the most challenging
circumstances. Shakespeare's portrayal of Emilia is a testament to the resilience and strength
of women in the face of oppression and adversity.
 Emilia’s role in the play Othello

Emilia is a strong female character who plays the role of Iago’s unfortunate wife in William
Shakespeare’s plays Othello. While Shakespeare portrays the character of Desdemona as an ideal of
feminine virtue, Emilia is a common, sometimes vulgar woman. After a detailed study of the play, a
reader can understand the fact that in many matters Emilia is far from conscientious, blunt in
perception and emotion, and relatively devoid of imagination. Emilia plays a significant role in the
play Othello and to an extent, she is a foil to the character of Desdemona. Emilia has the courage to
admit that she is prepared to maintain her virtue only to a limit. Even though one can see Emilia
escapes from the reader’s conception as a convict in Desdemona’s death, but she unwillingly joined
in the secret plan against Othello. If one analysis the character of Emilia one can find that Emilia is a
strong and influencing character, who does not know the evil plot of her husband and she is not
responsible for the death of her mistress Desdemona.

Regarding the character of Emilia, it is crystal clear that she has within her the moral and ignoble
elements. It is this dithering that often makes her suspicious like her husband, Iago. Emilia plays the
dramatic role of making possible the stealing of the handkerchief which is the significant link in
Iago’s conspiracy. Emilia lets Iago take the handkerchief knowing that its loss will distress
Desdemona. Normally, a reader begrudges Emilia’s nastiness, but one admires her when she boldly
lashes her husband Iago and Othello. The end of the play really falls on Emilia like a thunderbolt and
she could not overcome the prick of consciousness at the end of her life. Virginia Mason Vaughan
and Kent Cartwright enlist the character of Emilia when they clearly remark thus, “Emilia transforms
into one of the play’s voices of truth, lifted almost to tragic structure as she uncovers her husband’s
evil” (Vaughan and Cartwright, 163). Emilia does not support nick the handkerchief for her husband
Iago. One can easily find that Iago is the man who drops the handkerchief in Cassio’s room for the
successful implementation of his wicked plan against Othello. By stealing Desdemona’s
handkerchief, she follows the duty of a wife and a good servant. In another way, Emilia is absolutely
unaware of her husband’s evil deeds until the very conclusion of the play. Thus, it makes clear that
Emilia, knowingly or unknowingly, becomes a part of her husband’s evil deeds.

Emilia is a strong character in the sense that it is she who helps to keep Iago’s relation with Othello.
If she would reveal the real story of the handkerchief to Othello, the story would take another turn
and it might even lead to the murder of Iago by Othello. Emilia buries the secret of the handkerchief
with her in order to assure the safety of her husband. Anyway, it is crystal clear that Emilia never
tries to save her husband’s life by telling a lie. The online article entitled Emilia’s Intentions in
Othello gives relevant comments about the role of Emilia in Shakespeare’s play Othello. Christine
Price remarks; “Despite limited knowledge of Emilia’s intent, the play implies that her intentions
were innocuous even though they lead to harmful consequences.” (Price).

Emilia breaks the traditional concept of Elizabethan women. Even she has a submissive life under
Iago; she always tries to protect female chastity. Even Emilia is not a foremost character in this play;
she became the crucial factor in the destiny of many.

Emilia does not know the real purpose of Iago when he asked her to steal Desdemona’s
handkerchief. Emilia loves her husband and steals the handkerchief for her husband, but she never
tries to save his life by saying a lie about the matter.
“Dynamism of character in Shakespeare’s mature tragedies by Piotr Sadowski gives some critical
comments about the character of Emilia in Shakespeare’s Othello. Piotr Sadowski remarks; “Emilia
plays an important dramatic role in exposing her husband’s intrigue, but she can do this because she
has all along held the key to it by her knowledge of and involvement with the fated handkerchief.”
(Sadowski, 211). The book gives numerous ideas about various characters by William Shakespeare
and the study is based on psychological criticism. Emilia fails to foresee her husband’s secret plot
against Othello and the implications that the handkerchief will suddenly grasp when Othello
identifies with Cassio. It is a bitter truth that Emilia became a tool in the hands of her husband Iago
and he is a merciless villain who provides her a severe jolt and she exposes Iago’s wickedness.

It is difficult for a reader to reach the conclusion that Emilia is responsible for the death of
Desdemona. Desdemona’s pathetic death was the result of the wild and evil intelligence of the
villain Iago who is highly conscious of his intellectual supremacy over others. Iago’s plots against
Othello were pre-planned and highly mischievous. Unwillingly, Emilia helps in the friction of the
villainous plot. Emilia doesn’t know about Iago’s secret plan and she takes the handkerchief only for
her husband’s satisfaction. Emilia utters for us the violent common emotion we feel, and her
carelessness of her own life rises the overpowering weight of calamity that suppresses the reader
and Emilia justifies herself with her outburst in the ending scene. Emilia never supports her husband
to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief; only Iago grabs it from her and all she does is asking about what
Iago would do with the handkerchief. When Desdemona speaks about the handkerchief, Emilia
doesn’t know where it is. A reader can find that Emilia follows the duty of a wife and a servant. It is
easy for a reader to understand that till the end Emilia remains perfectly true about the
handkerchief and tells her opinion about Desdemona.

From the murder of Desdemona, phoenix-like new Emilia is born. It is crystal clear that Desdemona’s
death is an after-effect of the villainous plot by the diabolic intelligent Iago who is fully conscious of
his intellectual supremacy over others that he has grown contemptuous of the weak wishes of other
characters of the play. Considering Iago’s devilish plot and Othello’s jealousy, a reader faces difficulty
to reach the conclusion that Emilia is responsible for the death of her beloved mistress Desdemona.

Emilia is a loyal wife and she expresses her loyalty off and on in the play. Throughout the play, a
reader can see that Emilia consciously keeps loyalty and obedience to her husband Iago. From the
beginning to the end, Emilia does not question her husband’s plan. Emilia’s loyalty and obedience
reach their heights when Othello tackles Desdemona about the handkerchief. Emilia keeps silent
even though she knows the secret about it. Iago depends on his belief that Emilia will remain
obedient to him. When he makes the handkerchief issue, he is highly confident about his wife’s
loyalty and service. More than this, Iago keeps moral supremacy towards Emilia by keeping the
secret of her illegal relation with Othello. As a crooked villain, Iago tries to strengthen the
relationship between Emilia and Desdemona and he easily destroys the life of Othello with the help
of his wife. Iago never loves his wife and he only uses her as a tool. By showing his conquering
nature, Iago ensures his belief that Emilia will remain obedient to him until she breaks her silence.

Emilia is not a major character in William Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello, she plays a vital role in
the dramatic actions. Emilia’s character with her vigorous feeling, low cunning and loose principles
hand out to throw in strong relief from the delicate refinement, the moral qualities, and the
acquiescence of her mistress Desdemona. As the play reaches its conclusion, one is encouraged to
forget Emilia’s vulgarity and principles, and the reader develops a better observation of her spirit.
One can see that Emilia is not fully responsible for the death of Desdemona in Othello. Going
through the character of Emilia one can find that Emilia is a strong and influencing character, who
does not know the evil plot of her husband and she is not responsible for the death of her mistress
Desdemona.