Othello, the Moor of Venice is a story of great jealousy and the downfall of a once noble man. Deception and jealousy consume the majority of characters and tangle others into the conflict as well. Throughout this play, there are two female characters deeply entwined in the plot with active role in its progression. Emilia triggers the major conflict by bringing Othello’s handkerchief to Iago for him to use in his plan. As Iago manipulates Othello with the handkerchief and lies, Desdemona is left to bear its consequences. The characters Desdemona and Emilia serve as foils to each other. Each character controls their actions based on their differing traits. The foil characters of Desdemona and Emilia characterize each as women who follow their
…show more content…
Desdemona is depicted as the pure and innocent wife while Emilia is said to be an unpleasant and bothersome wife. Within the play, Desdemona appears to be the ideal wife. As a wife to Othello, she relinquishes her duties to her husband similar to how her mother preferred her husband “before her father,/… that [she] may profess” (Shakespeare 1.3.188-190). With this proclamation Desdemona fulfills her role as a wife, giving all her dedication to Othello after their marriage. Furthermore, others view Desdemona as a beautiful and wholesome woman. In the play, Desdemona is often described as “gentle Desdemona”, “a maid so tender, fair, and happy”, and “virtuous Desdemona” (1.2.24, 1.2.66, 3.1.32). Desdemona is seen as a beautiful, angelic woman that is faithful to her husband. On the other hand, Emilia initially appears as the unwholesome wife due to how others describe her. For instance, Emilia’s husband, Iago, refers to her as a “[v]illainous whore” and claims “she [would give] you so much of her lips/[a]s of her tongue oft bestows” Iago (2.1.102-103, 5.2.237). Iago describes Emilia, his wife, as a lady who speaks too much and is unfaithful to him. This portrayal of Emilia is in stark contrast to Desdemona, who is the ‘perfect wife’ to her husband. Emilia and Desdemona are depicted as each other’s opposite. They characterize each other through their contrasting flaws and …show more content…
Jealousy and deception run rampant and its impacts are felt on all the characters. In this play, there are two female characters that affect the plot and its conclusion. The wives of Othello and Iago, Desdemona and Emilia, have predominant roles in the plot’s progression and through their interaction they reveal their flaws. Desdemona and Emilia highlight their distinct character traits flaws within each other. One is portrayed as pure and innocent, whereas the other is seen as an unfaithful nuisance. Desdemona is faithful to her husband despite his actions, while Emilia reveals the horrifying truth about hers. Emilia and Desdemona, serving as foil characters, highlight the flaws and differences between the two and how those differences affect how other view them. This conveys the theme that one’s reaction to a situation is dependent on their
Desdemona is depicted as the pure and innocent wife while Emilia is said to be an unpleasant and bothersome wife. Within the play, Desdemona appears to be the ideal wife. As a wife to Othello, she relinquishes her duties to her husband similar to how her mother preferred her husband “before her father,/… that [she] may profess” (Shakespeare 1.3.188-190). With this proclamation Desdemona fulfills her role as a wife, giving all her dedication to Othello after their marriage. Furthermore, others view Desdemona as a beautiful and wholesome woman. In the play, Desdemona is often described as “gentle Desdemona”, “a maid so tender, fair, and happy”, and “virtuous Desdemona” (1.2.24, 1.2.66, 3.1.32). Desdemona is seen as a beautiful, angelic woman that is faithful to her husband. On the other hand, Emilia initially appears as the unwholesome wife due to how others describe her. For instance, Emilia’s husband, Iago, refers to her as a “[v]illainous whore” and claims “she [would give] you so much of her lips/[a]s of her tongue oft bestows” Iago (2.1.102-103, 5.2.237). Iago describes Emilia, his wife, as a lady who speaks too much and is unfaithful to him. This portrayal of Emilia is in stark contrast to Desdemona, who is the ‘perfect wife’ to her husband. Emilia and Desdemona are depicted as each other’s opposite. They characterize each other through their contrasting flaws and …show more content…
Jealousy and deception run rampant and its impacts are felt on all the characters. In this play, there are two female characters that affect the plot and its conclusion. The wives of Othello and Iago, Desdemona and Emilia, have predominant roles in the plot’s progression and through their interaction they reveal their flaws. Desdemona and Emilia highlight their distinct character traits flaws within each other. One is portrayed as pure and innocent, whereas the other is seen as an unfaithful nuisance. Desdemona is faithful to her husband despite his actions, while Emilia reveals the horrifying truth about hers. Emilia and Desdemona, serving as foil characters, highlight the flaws and differences between the two and how those differences affect how other view them. This conveys the theme that one’s reaction to a situation is dependent on their