The Role Of Emilia In Shakespeare's Othello

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The role of Emilia in Othello is not large, but her role is crucial. She has various loyalties to her friend, Desdemona, and her husband, Iago. Her strong connection to both of them leads to the final tragedy. Though she had no knowledge of Iago’s plan for revenge, she played the most critical part for his plan to succeed by supplying him with most tangible evidence. Emilia is a cynical woman who thinks all men are foolish and vicious. Iago does not treat her in any way that would make her feel differently. He treats her like an object and has no respect for her. He speaks harshly of women in general. He does not show Emilia affection and secretly wants to sleep with Desdemona. Emilia also had a hand in setting up the first idea of Cassio …show more content…
She believed if men cheated on their wives, women should be able to too. She also told her she would cheat on Iago if she gained enough. Emilia and Desdemona are contrasting characters because Desdemona is too innocent and naïve to believe husbands and wives would actually cheat on each other. Emilia shows up after the battle between Roderigo and Cassio and Iago sends her to inform Othello about the news. She came into their bedroom to find a dying Desdemona. She wants to know who killed Desdemona and Othello admits he was to blame. He explains Iago had told him about the affair and told him. Emilia is stunned and has to repeatedly ask if he meant her husband because she did not believe it. She tells Othello that Iago was lying and Othello pulls out his sword to make her be quiet. She screams for help despite Othello holding a sword to her. She knew she must expose the truth. Montano, Gratiano, and Iago enter into the room and Emilia is quick to interrogate. She hoped Iago was not the person to tell Othello about the affair but he admitted to it. She becomes outraged and tells Othello that he himself is the reason for Desdemona’s death. Iago tells her to go home, but Emilia will not be silent anymore. She will not let her friend be known as a whore after her death. She lost all loyalty to her husband and revealed him for the villain he

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