Emilia: The Unsung Heroine in Othello's Tragedy

981 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Women characters in Othello

Shakespeare’s Othello presents an antagonist who has a perfect understanding of human nature: Iago’s grasp of human hopes, ambitions, insecurities and flaws, coupled with the fact that he is an excellent judge of character, allows him to devise a tragedy fueled primarily by mere malevolence. Even so, he is not the only character that possesses this knowledge. His wife, Emilia, despite far from being the central figure of the play, understands human motivations almost as well as her husband does. She initially starts out as a submissive character, but gradually develops throughout the play into the one character who can see through Iago, oppose him, and cause his downfall. Through this development, Emilia becomes the voice of reason, the sense …show more content…

Her story begins to extend far beyond one of abuse as it delves into the subjects of loyalty and equality during her interactions with Desdemona, where she begins to question her loyalty towards Iago. Emilia displays her desire to aid Iago in his quest for power when saying, "Who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for 't" (4.3.85-87). Despite this claim, it is clear that she is torn between her loyalties to Iago and Desdemona. She feels conflicted about taking such a precious token as it is the handkerchief from her lady, even though Iago has repeatedly asked her to steal it. Almost as soon as she hands it over to Iago, she begins to worry about Desdemona 's wellbeing and asks Iago to return it, “Give 't me again: poor lady, she 'll run mad / When she shall lack it.”(3.3.1899-1990). Her conversations with Desdemona also allow her to openly discuss her thoughts on equality in relationships; views which are probably permeated by her own resentment towards her husband. This change in personality and portrayal in her character allows her to take on a more active role in the plot, and is what will later make her a crucial

Show More
Related

  • The Ignorant Emilia in Othello

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    For a long time, I have felt that Emilia could not possibly have been unaware

    Read More

  • Tragic Heroes And Their Downfalls In Shakespeare's Othello

    1347 Words  | 3 Pages

    Northrop Frye once said, “Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divisive lightning.” Othello is the pillar of tragic heros, first playing the part of a loving husband with a beautiful wife, then being manipulated into believing his wife was cheating on him and killing her. Throughout the play, he played the part of the protagonist, everyone hoping he would figure out Iago was lying to him. Othello being the protagonist made the fact he was also a villain bittersweet. His apparent love for his wife Desdemona, his ‘just’ reasoning for killing her, and Iago’s deserving end all contribute to the tragic work as a whole.

    Read More

  • Othello Foil Analysis

    1474 Words  | 3 Pages

    At the beginning of the action, the two ladies relationship furthers the plot by creating a circumstance in which Desdemona’s handkerchief goes missing. Desdemona’s most valued token of Othello’s love is a supposedly magic handkerchief that belonged to his mother and Desdemona keeps it with her at all times. When she drops it Emilia swipes it to try to please her husband, Iago. By stealing the handkerchief Emilia unwittingly sets in motion Iago’s scheme that will eventually lead to the death of herself, Othello, and her beloved Desdemona. Without this handkerchief Iago’s scheme would never work because it is the only piece of substantial proof of Desdemona's infidelity can use to convince Othello. Therefore, without Desdemona and Emilia's close friendship there would be no plot. Toward the end of the play, Emilia and Desdemona’s relationship becomes crucial to the plot again. After Othello kills Desdemona Emilia is the one who puts together the facts and unearths Iago’s scheme, risking her own life to do so. After witnessing Desdemona’s death Emilia says, “O thou dull Moor, that handkerchief thou speak’st of I found by fortune, and did give my husband- for often, with a solemn earnestness he begged of me to steal ‘t”(5.2.267-272). At the threat of her own death she revealed Iago’s treachery and concluded the plot by explaining how Iago’s scheming led to the death of four different people. Without Emilia’s proximity to Desdemona she would never have been able to take the handkerchief and her knowledge of Iago and Desdemona’s natures made her the only character able to uncover Iago’s scheme. Certainly, Desdemona’s close relationship and differing characters were essential to the plot of the

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Iago

    1100 Words  | 3 Pages

    Iago, the antagonist of Shakespeare’s work, Othello, is often considered purely evil or sociopathic. At first glance, Iago appears to be a static, two-dimensional villain, but he is much more. Shakespeare, renown for his awareness of the human condition, leaves many important aspects of Iago’s life up to interpretation. In published works and critical interpretations, Iago is commonly attached to a myriad of mental illnesses and personality disorders. Because it seems that Iago’s life revolves around Othello and Desdemona, it is understandable how people may suggest that Iago is in love with Othello, or that he is a psychopath with no true motives. Shakespeare never discloses much about Iago’s past, raising the questions:

    Read More

  • The Differences Of Iago And William Shakespeare's Othello

    1202 Words  | 3 Pages

    Othello and Iago are diverse in their characters and in their colors. It could be said additionally, notwithstanding, that they are comparative because of their untrustworthiness. Iago is overcome with his longing for vengeance to such a degree that he places it vigorously. Othello 's adoration and possessiveness of Desdemona assume control him until he in the long run would rather murder her than permit any other person to have her. In this way, despite their differentiations, Iago and Othello both speak to the furthest point of the same thing - human emotion.

    Read More

  • Othello Confidante Analysis

    760 Words  | 2 Pages

    Emilia is not just in the play to be a simply friend. She is there to tell everyone the horrible acts that have happened. Once, Emilia realizes her mistress has died she starts asking questions which helps her put two and two together. Emilia finds out that Othello thinks Desdemona cheated on her something that Desdemona would never do. Emilia then asks Othello, why? The main reason is the handkerchief. Othello gave Desdemona handkerchief that represents their love and its precious. Because Othello finds out Cassio had it he thinks an affair was going on. Then is when, Emilia reveals that she gave the handkerchief to Iago because she found it. Quickly after that it’s revealed that Iago (her husband) is doing evil acts. Emilia “...That handkerchief thou speak’st of I found by fortune and did give my husband. For often, with a solemn earnestness—More than indeed belonged to such a trifle—He begged of me to steal it.” With that said, Emilia was much more than a

    Read More

  • Othello Analysis Play

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    Within Shakespeare’s Othello, it conveys moral and subsequent reflection of events in its current society. In Act 4, Scene 2 (Part 1) demonstrates the road to Othello’s downfall and the success of Iago’s revenge. Within this scene, Othello interrogates Emilia for suspicion of Desdemona and Cassio’s affair, in which they have none, and with Othello's confrontation, he questions and insults her of her unfaithfulness and infidelity leaving Desdemona confused about what happened to Othello. Iago, called by Emilia, pretends to offer Desdemona comfort and Emilia raises notions of the possibilities and hypothesising that someone is 'feeding' Othello lies. Iago hastily covers these ideas to avoid exposure of the truth. This strong and indecisive scene twists the ideas of human nature within Othello’s mind and convinced perceptions of Desdemona, fulfilling Iago’s Revenge.

    Read More

  • Power Of Women In Othello

    1037 Words  | 3 Pages

    Emilia, while lying next to her best friend on her deathbed, began to suppress her passive nature and attempts persecute the murderer. Nonetheless, the only woman who stood up for herself got killed in the end by her own husband. Othello and Iago’s wives were thought to be disloyal to their husband, while only one of them was correct in this accusation, Desdemona and Emilia were both murdered by the people they pledged their allegiance to. But, Emilia was the only woman who denounced the authority men had over women and compares the qualities of both men and women. She is fully aware of the gender

    Read More

  • The Misunderstood Iago of Othello

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespearian tales always leave us with a plethora to ponder about the Elizabethan age and Shakespeare himself. “Othello” is no break in this mold, leaving us to ponder the roll of Iago within the harsh tale of love and murder. Iago is the one to tell Othello of his wife’s betrayal with Cassio, hence making up a story that will work to his favor yet betray those around him. Iago betrays his wife, Emilia, but not only her as he drags Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio into the mix of lies and the hatred he is spreading to improve his rank with Othello. But were Iago’s acts unjust and done for the sake of it? Is he a heartless man who’s only happiness is to bring sorrow upon others? No, Iago has a just reason for what he does, even though he causes the deaths of Cassio, Emilia, and Desdemona in his search for revenge; Iago is not a heartless fiend, just a man wronged.

    Read More

  • Othello Reflects the Context and Values of its Time

    1338 Words  | 3 Pages

    Texts and their appropriations reflect the context and values of their times. Within Shakespeare’s Othello and Geoffrey Sax’s appropriation of Othello, the evolution of the attitudes held by Elizabethan audiences and those held by contemporary audiences can be seen through the context of the female coupled with the context of racism. The role of the female has developed from being submissive and “obedient” in the Elizabethan era to being independent and liberated within the contemporary setting. The racism of the first text is overtly xenophobic and natural, whilst the “moor” is unnatural whereas the updated context portrays Othello’s race as natural and racism as unnatural. Therefore these examples show how Shakespeare’s Othello, and it’s appropriation, Geoffrey sax’s Othello, reflect the context and values of their times.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Othello

    1432 Words  | 3 Pages

    Continuing Act three, Scene three, Othello feels the beginning of a headache. Desdemona offers Othello a handkerchief to ease the pain upon Othello’s forehead. The handkerchief is a gift from Othello to Desdemona as a symbol of the love shared by Othello and Desdemona. In Othello’s pain the handkerchief falls from Othello’s hand and Emilia steals the handkerchief. Iago uses the characters of the play as pawns, including wife Emilia. Jealousy is the fuel and the handkerchief is the spark. With the handkerchief in Iago’s possession, Iago can continue to spin the web of lies and deceit. Iago plans to leave the handkerchief in Cassio’s lodgings to further support the suspicion of Desdemona’s infidelity.

    Read More

  • Othello Power Balance

    627 Words  | 2 Pages

    Iago and Emilia’s relationship in The Tragedy of Othello: Moor of Venice is similar to a lion, on one end it can be fierce, while on another it can be sly and cunning, and in the end it is the cunning side that becomes the strongest when stalking prey.

    Read More

  • The Character of Emilia in Othello

    627 Words  | 2 Pages

    The definition of Renaissance women is fundamentally important in William Shakespeare's play Othello. One of the major causes of Othello's tragedy is his belief that Desdemona is not chaste. According to the men of the Renaissance, chastity, silence, and obedience are three attributes that define Renaissance women. Although Othello takes place during the Renaissance, the women in the play, Bianca, Desdemona and Emilia, defy traditional norms by lacking at least one of the major attributes defining women; Bianca's lack of chastity is clearly displayed when she unlawfully sleeps with Cassio; Desdemona's lack of silence is clearly displayed when she constantly urges Othello to give Cassio's position back. However, in the last two acts, Emilia displays the strongest challenge to the definition of Renaissance women as silent, chaste, and obedient, mainly to defend Desdemona.

    Read More

  • Women In Othello Essay

    886 Words  | 2 Pages

    At first Emilia's character is the ideal submissive wife. Iago treats Emilia rather badly during the first scenes of the play. He refers to her as a nagging housewife and Emilia is submissively unresponsive to his harsh allegation...

    Read More

  • Integrity In Othello Essay

    1052 Words  | 3 Pages

    Shakespeare uses Iago and Othello as the main characters of the play, showing how Iago manipulates Othello into believing his wife is cheating on him. Iago, or “honest Iago”, the villain of the play, a perfectionist at manipulation, that manages to influence people into thinking his deceitfulness is an act of honesty. He spends all of his time plotting against Othello and Desdemona, eventually convincing Othello that his wife has been cheating, despite the fact that Desdemona has been completely faithful. Othello, Venice’s most competent general, and the protagonist of the play. He was a noble and respected war hero, and a loving husband, however he was the target of Iago’s atrocities, which lead him to become an irrational, violent, and insanely jealous husband who murders his own wife at the end of the play.

    Read More

More about Emilia: The Unsung Heroine in Othello's Tragedy

Open Document