Emilia

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Freya

Cards (7)

Emilia
Emilia is a maid-servant for Desdemona, and is traditionally seen as a simple character whose loyalty is not towards her husband, but to Desdemona.
Relationships
In more recent productions, Emilia tends to be presented as a feisty, feminist individual.
You could argue that her marriage with Iago does not seem satisfactory.
There is a suggestion in the text that she once slept with Othello - although it is not clear if there is any truth in this claim.
Desdemona
Throughout the play, her affection for Desdemona makes her stand up to Othello as she feels his behaviour is inappropriate.
She also defends Desdemona’s honour to the very end.
Emilia senses that her husband Iago is no good but perhaps releases this information too late.
Honesty
In the play, Emilia is one of the most honest characters and when she dies, in contrast to the pathos of Desdemona’s death, hers is dignified.
When she discovers Iago’s treachery she becomes furious.
In the early part of the play Emilia is talked about, but not much seen.
The handkerchief
Later, it is Emilia who finds Desdemona's handkerchief, and she then hands it over to Iago as he had been urging her to steal it.
He takes it and forbids her from mentioning its whereabouts.
This attitude shows the patriarchal society in which Emilia has to operate.
Views
One of Emilia’s crucial moments in the play is found in Act 4 Scene 3.
Here, she discusses with Desdemona their differing views on marriage and fidelity.
Emilia speaks with more experience, and states that she would commit adultery if it gained her husband the world and also asserts that husbands are to blame, arguing for equality and mutual respect in marriage.
Importance
Emilia is a crucial character in the play for determining our responses to love, marriage and relationships.
She also provides a critical commentary on the mechanisms of tragedy operating in the play—almost an on-the-spot-reporter seeing and observing events as they unfold.