Free Othello Essays: The Character of Emilia

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The Character of Emilia in Othello

Emilia is one of the few straightforward people in the Shakespeare's Othello. Emilia is taciturn. When we first meet her in Cyprus, after his throwaway condescending remark about suffering her tongue, and Desdemona's rejoinder that "she has no speech", Iago has to admit that "she puts her tongue a little in her heart and chides with thinking". In the scene of light hearted banter that follows Emilia manages to utter two words. She really only finds her voice when fired by indignation as when Iago confirms that Desdemona has been called a whore, and even then much of her utterances or short phrases. Even when she really gets going, lambasting Othello after discovering the murder, most of what she says consists of phrases that are half a line in length or less.

We also know that she is happy to give good news but has the misfortune of not being listened to (Cassandra?). After Cassio's ignominious dismissal by Othello, Iago orders Emilia to get Cassio together with Desdemona for the ostensible purpose of getting her to plead his case. Instead, Emilia lets Cassio know that Desdemona and Othello have discussed the matter, and that Othello explained why he had to demote him, that he has not lost his faith in him, "but protests he loves you and needs *no other suitor but his likings* to take the safest occasion by the front to bring you in again." Clear enough: Don't push it Cassio. Let nature take its course. But does he listen? Rather than rejoicing at this good news and going home to get some sleep he proceeds to enmesh himself in Iago's net.

When Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona she gives forthright answers. I presume she expects to be believed. Her outburst when Othello justifies the murder on the basis of Desdemona's supposed adultery with Cassio is surely an expression of her indignation that Othello didn't believe her simple factual answers.

She understands male psychology. She was able to handle her husband's suspicions regarding her own fidelity well enough that their marriage remained stable. She could therefore be forgiven if she thought that Othello's jealousy was par for the course, and that he would get over it has her husband did.

I can't see how any one could take the remarks during the unpinning scene other than as banter designed to cheer up her despondent friend, with a little moralizing against excesses of speech (".

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