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It is here that Emilia’s minor character become so undeniably necessary and because she remains loyal to Iago throughout the play, Iago relies entirely on the belief that Emilia will continue to remain obedient to him. It is here that he begs his wife to prove her loyalty to him by stealing the handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona. Iago gives no support to his reasoning and Emilia is left ignorant to his doings but just as well supportive in continuous hopes of affection from her husband. The scene is set up perfectly when Desdemona unknowingly releases the handkerchief onto the bed and then exits the room with Othello. Emilia is then left alone staring at the handkerchief picks it up and says, “I am glad I have found this napkin…My wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token – For he conjured her she should ever keep it…I’ll have the work ta’en out, and give’t Iago. What he will do with it heaven knows, not I, I nothing but to please his fantasy” (3.3.
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In Act V Scene 2 after Othello has suffocated Desdemona for convicting her of having and affair with Cassio, Emilia’s confusion slowly begins to fall into place. Othello explains that Iago told him that Desdemona was unfaithful and continues to describe the proof he has that supports this false truth. Emilia then repeats, "My husband? My husband?...O Mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love! My husband say she was false?"(5.2. 763). Upon realizing that her husband's deception had indirectly caused Desdemona's death, Emilia breaks her devotion to Iago and ignores his demand to be quiet and to go home. Her failure to obey Iago went directly against the expectations of an obedient woman and instead shined though and portrayed Emilia’s strength as a woman. Then, loudly so everyone could hear her, she cursed at Iago, “You told a lie, an odious, damned lie! Upon my soul, a lie a wicked lie” (5.2. 764). With these words, Emilia legitimately causes Iago's downfall by revealing to Othello, Cassio and the other men, Iago's full contribution in Desdemona's death. And just as all truth has been justified, Iago comes from behind, and stabs his wife in the back. Emilia, in all her moment of womanly power and strength, is …show more content…
When Emilia decides to deny herself to conforming to social norms, she boastfully follows her beliefs that Desdemona is innocent, irregardless that there are indeed some women, including herself, who are not pure but only because it is their husbands faults that cause women to commit adultery. Today, vast amounts of individuals admire the woman that Emilia exemplifies in her last tragic moments on earth. For it is here that she blesses women in society for ages and ages to come the utter most essential qualities of strength and
In Act V Scene 2 after Othello has suffocated Desdemona for convicting her of having and affair with Cassio, Emilia’s confusion slowly begins to fall into place. Othello explains that Iago told him that Desdemona was unfaithful and continues to describe the proof he has that supports this false truth. Emilia then repeats, "My husband? My husband?...O Mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love! My husband say she was false?"(5.2. 763). Upon realizing that her husband's deception had indirectly caused Desdemona's death, Emilia breaks her devotion to Iago and ignores his demand to be quiet and to go home. Her failure to obey Iago went directly against the expectations of an obedient woman and instead shined though and portrayed Emilia’s strength as a woman. Then, loudly so everyone could hear her, she cursed at Iago, “You told a lie, an odious, damned lie! Upon my soul, a lie a wicked lie” (5.2. 764). With these words, Emilia legitimately causes Iago's downfall by revealing to Othello, Cassio and the other men, Iago's full contribution in Desdemona's death. And just as all truth has been justified, Iago comes from behind, and stabs his wife in the back. Emilia, in all her moment of womanly power and strength, is …show more content…
When Emilia decides to deny herself to conforming to social norms, she boastfully follows her beliefs that Desdemona is innocent, irregardless that there are indeed some women, including herself, who are not pure but only because it is their husbands faults that cause women to commit adultery. Today, vast amounts of individuals admire the woman that Emilia exemplifies in her last tragic moments on earth. For it is here that she blesses women in society for ages and ages to come the utter most essential qualities of strength and