Hillary Müller

Hillary M?ller Sister Hawker ENG 373 October 7, 2014

Character Analysis of Emilia

Question: Is Emilia a hero or a villain in Shakespeare's Othello?

What is done/said to/about Emilia "My Desdemona must I leave to thee. I prithee let thy wife attend on her" (1.3.295-96). Othello asks Iago if his wife, Emilia, can take care of Desdemona. "I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that `twixt my sheets h'as done my office" (1.3.378-80). Iago tells Roderigo that he thinks that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia.

"Sir, would she give you so much of her lips as of her tongue she oft bestows on me, you would have enough." ? (2.1.100-102) Iago replies to Cassio after he greets his wife. Iago continues after

Interpretation

Othello trusts Emilia implicitly, just like he trusts Iago. He trusts his wife to the care of Emilia, so he believes that she will take care of her.

Iago is saying that Emilia is unfaithful to him and has slept with Othello. This could imply that Emilia is not trustworthy and focused on her own gain and pleasure.

Iago is quite dismissive of his wife, saying that she is a nag even when she isn't speaking aloud. This shows that Iago does not have a high opinion of his wife and believes she

What Emilia does/says

"You have little cause to say so" (2.1.108). Emilia replies this to Iago after he talks about her chiding.

"You shall not write my praise," says Emilia to Iago (2.1.116). Iago replies with, "No, let me not" (2.1.117).

Emilia says to Desdemona, "Good madam, do. I warrant it grieves my husband as if the cause were his" (3.2.3-4).

Interpretation

Emilia is declaring to Iago that she is innocent of his claims. Outwardly, she is proclaiming to the world that she is a good and virtuous woman.

The relationship between Iago and Emilia is quite interesting. Emilia thinks she cannot do anything to please him, and Iago concurs with her. If Emilia is trying to please Iago, then this could explain some of her actions later in the play. Emilia tells Desdemona that Iago is also upset that Cassio is in trouble with Othello. This could imply that Emilia is in league with Iago to deceive Desdemona and Othello, or it could mean that she truly

Desdemona says Emilia isn't speaking. He says, "In faith, too much. I find it still when I have leave to sleep. Marry, before your ladyship, I grant, she puts her tongue a little in her heart and chides with thinking" (2.1.103-107). Iago is very uncomplimentary about his wife. He says, "Come on, come on! You are pictures out of door, bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players in your huswifery, and huswives in your beds" (2.1.109-112).

betrays him even in her thoughts.

Iago is once again implying that Emilia is not a good woman, and that she cheats. This seems strange coming from her husband, but he really seems to despise her. This implies that she either is really innocent, or she has done something to warrant such scorn.

Iago plots, "My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress ? I'll set her on" (2.2.370-71).

Iago believes that Emilia will do anything for him, which is interesting since he does not seem to treat her very well. This almost seems to be an abusive relationship between the two.

believes her husband to be honest and true.

Emilia says to herself, "I am glad I have found this napkin; this was her first remembrance from the Moor. My wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me to steal it; but she so loves the token (For he conjured her she should ever keep it) that she reserves it evermore about her to kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out and give't Iago. What he will do with it Heaven knows, not I; I nothing but please his fantasy" (3.3.290-99). Emilia says to Iago, "If it be not for some purpose of import, give't me again. Poor lady, she'll run made when she shall lack it" (3.3.316-18).

Emilia's first thought is to help her husband. It is revealed here that he has entreated her before to steal this handkerchief for him.This shows that she is loyal to her husband and wants to make him happy. I find it interesting that she calls her husband wayward, which implies she has at least some knowledge of him not being truly honest and a good person.

Emilia does seem very concerned about not upsetting Desdemona. In this scene it seems that she did not realize Iago wanted to keep it instead of just see it. So while she helps her husband, she does want to take care of the others she serves.

Desdemona asks Emilia, "Where should I lose the handkerchief, Emilia?" (3.4.23).

Desdemona trusts Emilia, and she believes she will tell her the truth. So while Iago might not fully trust Emilia, Desdemona and Othello do. Considering their characters, it now seems more likely that Emilia is just a pawn of Iago's rather than co-conspirator with him.

Emilia responds to Desdemona about the lost handkerchief, saying, "I know not, madam" (3.4.24).

Emilia tells Desdemona, "But jealous souls will not be answered so; they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they're jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself" (3.4.158-61).

Desdemona and Emilia are talking about women cheating on their husbands. Emilia declares, "I would not do such a thing...for all the whole world - Ud's pity! who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for't" (4.3.72-77). Emilia tells Othello how she took the handkerchief for Iago,

Emilia tells an outright lie to Desdemona because she does actually know where the handkerchief is. It seems that Emilia is trying to protect herself and Iago, even if she does not know why.

These are Emilia's epic words of wisdom in this play. She realizes that jealousy is usually without cause, and it becomes a monster. Emilia is just as much a victim of jealousy as Desdemona, because Iago is jealous of something she has not actually done. Emilia admits that she would cheat if it meant that she could help her husband advance his position. This throws new light on Iago's suspicions about her and Othello. However, even if she did sleep with Othello, she admits here the only reason she would ever do it was to help her husband. Emilia's final words show that at least when she is dying, she

and her dying words are, "Moor, she was chaste. She loved thee, cruel Moor: so come my soul to bliss as I speak true. So speaking as I think, alas, I die" (5.2.250-52).

does the right thing and dies a hero. She clears Desdemona's name even though it costs her her life. However, if she had had this courage sooner, she might have saved herself and Desdemona.

Observation: Emilia is shown to be loyal to a husband who does not appreciate her or trust her. Iago manipulates her desire to please him and makes her his pawn. Her virtue is even questioned by Iago. While Iago's claims are never confirmed, Emilia does reveal she would never cheat except to help her husband. While Emilia is not an outright villain or willing co-conspirator of Iago, her willingness to please him leads her to commit actions that further his villainy or his justification of it. Emilia dies heroically proclaiming the truth, but had she been able to stand up to her husband and his manipulations, she could have saved herself and Desdemona from his evil machinations. Instead of being a hero or a villain, Emilia is just an emotionally manipulated woman who becomes caught up in the web of lies of her villainous husband. The character of Emilia shows what happens to a woman who desperately tries to make an abusive husband happy.

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download