Emilia's Realness In Othello

In the play, Othello written by William Shakespeare, a character named Emilia paved new roads for women in the 16th and 17th centuries. She was one of few complex women characters created in this time. Emilia’s complex nature makes her have many similarities to actions humans do today, even though the play was written nearly five-hundred years ago. Her depth as a character are shown in her actions explain how Emilia is the most realistic character in the play Othello. Emilia’s realness is expressed by her actions of trying to make her life better. When she gives Iago the handkerchief, she is trying to trade an easier for the handkerchief from Iago. She says, “Do not chide; I have a thing for you,”, which helps her lead up into her advantage

Emilia and Desdemona are very good friends and when Desdemona is saddened by Othello’s distance, Emilia explains that all men are like that sometimes saying, “'Tis not a year or two shows us a man./ They are all but stomachs, and we all but food./ To eat us hungerly, and when they are full,/ They belch us (III. iv. 100-105).” Emilia is showing her realness by trying to ease the pain of her friend, we do this to our friends. No one wants to see their friends emotionally pained. Emilia also tries to protect Desdemona from physical pain when Desdemona is preparing to go to bed. Emilia says, “I would you had never seen him” knowing that Othello wants to harm her. Emilia tries to convince Desdemona to not go to Othello (IV. iii. 18). Emilia is trying to protect her friend’s life, although Desdemona doesn’t listen. After Othello kills Desdemona, Emilia screams out in horror for the loss of her friend. Emilia is heartbroken by the death of her friend and exclaims to Othello, “Thou hast not half the power to do me harm/ As I have to be hurt” (V.ii.166-167). She is saying that her pain for the loss of her friend Desdemona is nothing compared to any physical pain possible. This is realistic because when humans are grieving someone close to them, they feel like nothing can be as bad as this