The Significance and Dramatic Purpose of Emilia in Shakespeare’s Othello
The world has changed significantly but we continue to learn from Shakespeare’s work because the themes he explored are still valid and his portrayal of people still continues to hold authenticity. Minor characters such as Emilia in Shakespeare’s Othello can be key instruments in unfolding crucial plot information and enhancing the theme throughout the play.
First mentioned in 1. 3, but not shown until 2. 1, Emilia is established as Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s friend. Her importance in these initial scenes is to be present when Desdemona and Cassio speak, maintaining propriety for Desdemona. Without Emilia the audience might believe that Desdemona is the adulteress she gets painted as.
Iago convinces himself that Othello and Cassio have both been involved with his wife yet it is never shown or hinted at being true. ‘Honest’ Iago tells us of Emilia’s actions before we even meet her, thus painting a picture of a wrongful …show more content…
“If he say so, mat his pernicious soul / Rot half a grain a day! He lies to th’ heart. / She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.” (5.2.152-54) Emilia again goes against practices of the times and calls out her husband’s treachery, “I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak: / My mistress here lies murdered in her bed. / … / And your reports have set the murder on.” (5.2.181-84) She reveals to Othello her own unwitting part in Iago’s scheme and what his direct actions brought about. “O thou dull Moor, ‘that handkerchief thou / speak’st of / I found by fortune, and did give my husband; / For often with a solemn earnestness- / More than indeed belonged to such a trifle- / He begged of me to steal’t”
The world has changed significantly but we continue to learn from Shakespeare’s work because the themes he explored are still valid and his portrayal of people still continues to hold authenticity. Minor characters such as Emilia in Shakespeare’s Othello can be key instruments in unfolding crucial plot information and enhancing the theme throughout the play.
First mentioned in 1. 3, but not shown until 2. 1, Emilia is established as Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s friend. Her importance in these initial scenes is to be present when Desdemona and Cassio speak, maintaining propriety for Desdemona. Without Emilia the audience might believe that Desdemona is the adulteress she gets painted as.
Iago convinces himself that Othello and Cassio have both been involved with his wife yet it is never shown or hinted at being true. ‘Honest’ Iago tells us of Emilia’s actions before we even meet her, thus painting a picture of a wrongful …show more content…
“If he say so, mat his pernicious soul / Rot half a grain a day! He lies to th’ heart. / She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.” (5.2.152-54) Emilia again goes against practices of the times and calls out her husband’s treachery, “I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak: / My mistress here lies murdered in her bed. / … / And your reports have set the murder on.” (5.2.181-84) She reveals to Othello her own unwitting part in Iago’s scheme and what his direct actions brought about. “O thou dull Moor, ‘that handkerchief thou / speak’st of / I found by fortune, and did give my husband; / For often with a solemn earnestness- / More than indeed belonged to such a trifle- / He begged of me to steal’t”