EMILIA

• ACT 4 SCENE 2

  "But then I saw no harm, and then I heard Each syllable that breath made up between them."
• • Juxtaposition: The contrast between "saw no harm" and "heard each syllable" highlights Emilia’s change in perception. Initially, she sees no harm in what is happening, but upon hearing the conversation, she understands its significance and the danger it may represent.
  • Imagery: "Each syllable that breath made up between them" creates a vivid mental image of the spoken words. The idea of "breath" giving form to syllables emphasizes the physicality of speech and the tension in the air as the words are exchanged.
• • Repetition: The phrase "and then" is repeated, emphasizing the progression of Emilia's realization or thought process.
  • Alliteration: The repetition of the "b" sound in "breath" and "between" creates a subtle rhythmic effect that draws attention to the crucial moment of Emilia's understanding.
• ACT 4 SCENE 2

  "If any wretch have put this in your head, Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse!"
• • Allusion: The reference to "the serpent's curse" is an allusion to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where the serpent (Satan) tempts Eve to sin. In this context, Emilia is wishing that the person who has planted the idea of Desdemona's infidelity in Othello’s mind should suffer a similar curse, implying the greatest betrayal.
  • Metaphor: The "serpent's curse" is metaphorical. It symbolizes the betrayal and deceit caused by Iago's manipulations. Emilia is wishing a curse upon whoever is responsible for causing harm to Desdemona’s reputation.
• • Exclamation: The line is an expression of Emilia’s anger and frustration. The use of "Let heaven requite it" and the exclamation mark underscores her emotional intensity.
• ACT 4 SCENE 2

  "For if she be not honest, chaste, and true, There's no man happy; the purest of their wives is foul as slander."
• • Repetition: Emilia repeats the qualities "honest, chaste, and true" to emphasize the societal standards expected of women, and to underline that even the "purest" of wives can be accused unjustly.
  • Antithesis: The contrasting ideas of "honest, chaste, and true" vs. "foul as slander" create a stark juxtaposition. Emilia highlights how impossible it is to meet these idealized standards, while even the purest women can be wrongly tainted by slander.
• • Metaphor: The phrase "foul as slander" compares a woman’s reputation to the destructive power of slander. Emilia argues that if a woman is accused of being impure, no woman is safe from these damaging rumors, no matter how virtuous she is.
  • Hyperbole: The statement "the purest of their wives is foul as slander" is an exaggeration to emphasize the harshness and unfairness of accusations against women. Emilia’s hyperbole highlights how damaging these false accusations can be.
• • Irony: The irony here is that Emilia herself is married to Iago, who is secretly manipulating Othello. Though Emilia is defending the idea of a woman’s chastity and integrity, she is unaware of the role her husband plays in destroying Desdemona's reputation. This makes her words even more poignant and tragic.
• ACT 4 SCENE 2

  "Hath she forsook so many noble matches, Her father and her country and her friends, To be call'd *****? Would it not make one weep?"
• • Rhetorical Question: Emilia asks, "Would it not make one weep?" This rhetorical question is used to emphasize the emotional weight of the situation and to express her sympathy for Desdemona. It suggests that any compassionate person would feel sorrow and outrage at such an unjust accusation.
• • Anaphora: The repetition of "her" in "her father and her country and her friends" is an example of anaphora, where the same word is repeated at the beginning of successive phrases. This repetition draws attention to the significant sacrifices Desdemona has made—she has given up her family, her homeland, and her social connections to be with Othello.
• • Juxtaposition: By listing the noble sacrifices Desdemona has made and the degrading label of "*****," Emilia sets up a stark contrast. The contrast emphasizes the unjust and cruel nature of the accusation, highlighting how Desdemona’s nobility and sacrifices are being disregarded by Othello.
• • Pathos: The line appeals to the audience’s emotions by invoking the sadness and injustice of Desdemona’s situation. Emilia's words aim to evoke sympathy and sorrow for Desdemona, whose integrity and sacrifices are being cruelly questioned.
• • Irony: There’s a tragic irony in Emilia's statement. She is defending Desdemona’s honour and calling out the cruelty of Othello's accusations, but she remains unaware that her own husband, Iago, is the one orchestrating the entire situation. This dramatic irony adds to the complexity and tragedy of Emilia’s position.
• ACT 4 SCENE 2

  "I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain, Some busy and insinuating rogue, Some cogging cozening slave, to get some office, Have not devised this slander; I'll be hang'd else."
• • Hyperbole: The phrase "I'll be hang'd else" is an exaggerated expression meant to show how strongly Emilia feels about the situation. She is willing to risk her life to prove that Desdemona has been wronged and that the slander against her is the result of someone's malicious scheming.
• • Repetition: The repetition of "some" ("some eternal villain," "some busy and insinuating rogue," "some cogging, cozening slave") serves to emphasize the various negative qualities of the person Emilia believes is responsible for the slander. This repetition underscores her certainty that this person is a deceptive, manipulative character.
• • Alliteration: The repetition of the "s" sound in "some cogging, cozening slave" creates a rhythmic effect and draws attention to the terms describing the villain. The alliteration makes the description more forceful and highlights Emilia's anger at the situation.
• ACT 4 SCENE 2

  "The Moor's abused by some most villainous knave, Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow. O heaven, that such companions thou'ldst unfold."
• • Repetition: Emilia repeats the word "knave"—"villainous knave," "notorious knave,"—to emphasize the evil and treacherous nature of the person she believes is responsible for the abuse of Othello. The repetition reinforces her growing outrage.
• • Alliteration: The repeated "k" sounds in "knave" and "notorious knave" add emphasis to the negative characteristics of the individual Emilia is describing. This creates a rhythmic quality that heightens the emotional intensity of her words.
• • Pejorative Language: Words like "villainous," "base," "notorious," and "scurvy" all carry strong negative connotations. Emilia uses these terms to show her contempt for the person she believes has caused Othello's distress, further condemning the manipulator's character.
• • Exclamation: The phrase "O heaven" is an exclamation that reveals Emilia's shock and horror at the situation. It reflects her disbelief and emotional distress as she grapples with the betrayal she perceives.
• • Irony: Emilia’s speech is ironic because she is expressing her outrage at the "scurvy fellow" who has deceived Othello, but she remains unaware that the "knave" she condemns is her own husband, Iago. This dramatic irony adds complexity to the scene, as the audience knows the true source of the manipulation, while Emilia does not.
• • Foreshadowing: Emilia’s expression of disgust at the idea of such "companions" being in Othello's life foreshadows the eventual revelation of Iago’s treachery. Emilia's anger hints at the deeper betrayal she will eventually uncover.
• ACT 4 SCENE 3

  "But do I think it is their husbands' faults If wives do fall."
• • Rhetorical Question: The phrase "But do I think it is their husbands' faults" is phrased as a rhetorical question. Emilia is not seeking an answer but is instead posing a thought that challenges the audience and Desdemona to consider the role that husbands might play in causing their wives to fall into infidelity.
• • Juxtaposition: Emilia contrasts the notion of wives falling with the idea of husbands’ fault. By raising the question, she invites the idea that infidelity might be a consequence of a marriage in which the husband is neglectful or abusive, suggesting that the cause may not lie solely with the wife.
• • Allusion to Gender Roles: Emilia's line reflects her critical view of the double standards that women face, especially in regard to marriage. She subtly hints at the power dynamics and the way in which men’s actions, or lack thereof, might push women into situations of moral compromise or unhappiness.
• • Indirect Characterization: Through her questioning, Emilia reveals her thoughts on gender inequality and marriage. She challenges the societal expectations placed on women, implying that the fault often lies with the men who mistreat or neglect their wives, rather than the wives themselves. This reflects Emilia’s growing awareness of the flaws in the institution of marriage and the treatment of women.
• ACT 4 SCENE 3

  "And have not we affections, Desires for sport, and frail, as men have? Then let them use us well; else let them know, The ills we do, their ills instruct us so."
• Rhetorical Question: Emilia begins with "And have not we affections, / Desires for sport, and frail, as men have?" This rhetorical question challenges the notion that women are fundamentally different from men in their emotional or sexual desires. She points out that women are equally subject to feelings of affection, desire, and frailty as men, thus questioning the unfair expectations placed upon them.
• Metaphor: "The ills we do, their ills instruct us so" is a metaphor. Emilia suggests that the wrongs committed by men teach women to act in kind. If men treat women badly, women might retaliate or behave in ways that reflect the same cruelty or unfairness, as their actions are often shaped by how they are treated. This conveys a sense of moral reciprocity, where the harm done to women is mirrored in their behavior.
• Irony: There is an ironic tone in Emilia’s speech. She acknowledges that women are equally frail and prone to desire, yet society often holds them to a higher standard of chastity and virtue than men. The irony lies in the fact that while men’s desires are often excused or normalized, women’s desires are criticized, making Emilia’s argument a critique of the hypocrisy and double standards in their society.