Harold Bloom described Emilia as once being “silent and obedient” and is hardly noticed throughout the play, until the end, when she is replaced by a “searingly honest character” (Bloom 38). I agree with Bloom, that Emilia’s true character does not emerge until the end of the play. Many have argued that Emilia is as cunning as her husband, and collaborates with Iago to bring about Othello’s downfall. I believe that Emilia is unaware of Iago’s intentions, but rather cooperates with Iago in order to please him and play the role of the obedient wife. Emilia’s true character, a friend who will not tolerate injustice, emerges at the end of the play, when she realizes Iago’s intentions. The first gift that Desdemona ever received from Othello was
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Even though she understood the significance of the handkerchief, a sign of Othello’s love for his wife, she picked it up with the intention of giving it to Iago, not for returning it back to Desdemona. In Act III, scene III, after picking up the handkerchief, she said “what he will do with it heaven knows, not I; I nothing but to please his fantasy” (298-299). This statement from Emilia shows that although she may have understood the significance of the handkerchief and that it might be missed, she only wanted to be obedient to her husband and to please him. Emilia’s intentions are pure, since she is unaware of Iago’s plan to betray Othello. Before she gives it to Iago, however, she questions why the handkerchief is so important to him. Emilia even shows concern for Desdemona, telling Iago that if he is not going to do anything important with it, then he should give it back to Emilia. She even says “poor lady, she’ll run mad when she shall lack it,” referring to Desdemona’s reaction when she realizes she lost her handkerchief (3.3.317-318). Thus, Emilia picked up the handkerchief and gave it to Iago not because she was unaware of the significance or Desdemona’s need for it, but rather because she wanted to please her unadoring husband and assumed he was to do something important with
Even though she understood the significance of the handkerchief, a sign of Othello’s love for his wife, she picked it up with the intention of giving it to Iago, not for returning it back to Desdemona. In Act III, scene III, after picking up the handkerchief, she said “what he will do with it heaven knows, not I; I nothing but to please his fantasy” (298-299). This statement from Emilia shows that although she may have understood the significance of the handkerchief and that it might be missed, she only wanted to be obedient to her husband and to please him. Emilia’s intentions are pure, since she is unaware of Iago’s plan to betray Othello. Before she gives it to Iago, however, she questions why the handkerchief is so important to him. Emilia even shows concern for Desdemona, telling Iago that if he is not going to do anything important with it, then he should give it back to Emilia. She even says “poor lady, she’ll run mad when she shall lack it,” referring to Desdemona’s reaction when she realizes she lost her handkerchief (3.3.317-318). Thus, Emilia picked up the handkerchief and gave it to Iago not because she was unaware of the significance or Desdemona’s need for it, but rather because she wanted to please her unadoring husband and assumed he was to do something important with