Relationship Between Desdemona And Emilia In Othello

In William Shakespeare’s play, Othello, there are many characters who have become well known in the world of plays and literature like Othello, Desdemona, and especially Iago. However, the character of Emilia adds depth to the overall story and the themes it conveys through her. In the story Emilia is Iago’s wife who comes with her husband to Cyprus, as per directions by Hamlet, and is placed as Desdemona’s servant. Emilia starts to develop a friendship with Desdemona and sticks with her when Othello starts to condemn her actions. The relationship between Desdemona and Emilia is very complex as they find comfort in each other while having very contrasting worldviews. While Desdemona is more of virtuous and charitable person, Emilia is deeply …show more content…
Iago is the main antagonist of the play who sets up a plant to have Othello’s life ruined just because Iago didn’t get a promotion. Iago is a manipulative man who just doesn’t care about anyone’s well-being except for himself; so his relationship with Emilia is complicated. During many times Iago berates his wife, and most women in general, right in front of her and doesn’t seem to give her affection. Yet even with Emilia’s progressive mindset she doesn’t really hate Iago, in fact, she seems somewhat loyal to him. This is evident in her action to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief in Act III, Scene III. Desdemona’s relationship with Emilia may be strong, but Emilia decides to put her husband’s wishes higher than her loyalty to Desdemona; “And give 't Iago. What he will do with it / Heaven knows, not I. / I nothing but to please his fantasy.” Emilia is willing to put her friendship with Emilia in jeopardy with a husband who doesn’t even try to care for her; evidently when Emilia gives Iago the handkerchief he still berates her. So why would a forward thinking woman like Emilia still put herself in the confined niche of a housewife who puts her husband’s wishes first. Well that is the conflict that drives her character and the theme of gender roles in the setting the story is taking …show more content…
Emilia thinks she is doing right by listening to Iago and becoming his loyal wife who wouldn’t even think of him as mischievous. This could be from the context of the world the story takes place since women weren’t as given so many rights and privileges as men did. In spite of this consensus, Emilia does foster some thought-provoking ideas such as saying that women should not be looked down upon when they cheat if men aren’t and that jealousy doesn’t come from a source but rather is evident in people who have it developed into their personality. Nevertheless, she only promotes these ideas with her confidant, Desdemona, who is also a woman. It seems that Emilia doesn’t think that she could change the world with her ideas and just stays out of the spotlight when it comes to her relationship with her husband. However, in the last act of the play this all changes because Emilia has an incentive to speak out: Desdemona’s death. After finding out from Othello that he thought that Desdemona cheated on her because her handkerchief was found in Cassio’s room, she immediately knows Iago was the one who told Othello these lies. At that point she takes a stand and basically outs her husband in front of everyone, even if it cost her life at the hands of Iago, but she was able to redeem herself for helping Iago by stealing the handkerchief through her last act. Not only did she allow her to redeem