The Significance of Emilia in Othello
The Significance and Dramatic Purposes of Emilia
In Shakespeare’s “Othello”, Emilia is considered one of the minor characters. She is the wife of Iago and the lady in waiting to Desdemona. Emilia makes a crucial contribution to the play as a whole. She contributes to the characterization of a couple of key characters and adds to the dramatic irony of the play. She plays an essential role in the escalation of the dramatic action. She also adds to some of the themes of the play. Emilia contributes to the characterization of both Iago and Desdemona. Emilia enters the play in Act II, Scene i when she and the party arrive in Cyprus. Iago speaks to her rudely and treats her disparagingly in front of the others; “Come on, come on! You are pictures out of door, Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens, Saints in your injuries…” (II.i.108-110). This reveals to the audience Iago’s true nature in his marital relationship and his low opinion of women. Throughout the play Desdemona’s innocence and guilessness is contrasted with Emilia’s realistic and experienced perspective. This is particularly evident in Act IV, Scene iii when Desdemona says to Emilia that she cannot believe that there are women who would be unfaithful to their husbands; “ Dost thou in conscience think, tell me, Emilia, That there be women do abuse their husbands In such gross kind?” (VI.iii.63-65). Emilia describes the nature of men and marriage in a matter fact way and goes on to say that she herself would commit adultery should the price be right. Emilia contributes to the dramatic irony in the play. In Act IV, scene ii there are two occasions where Emilia curses the person that has tricked Othello into believing Desdemona has been unfaithful. Unbeknownst to Emilia, it is her husband that is to blame but the audience is aware and therefore it is ironic that she should say to Othello; “ If any wretch have put this in your head, Let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse,”
In Shakespeare’s “Othello”, Emilia is considered one of the minor characters. She is the wife of Iago and the lady in waiting to Desdemona. Emilia makes a crucial contribution to the play as a whole. She contributes to the characterization of a couple of key characters and adds to the dramatic irony of the play. She plays an essential role in the escalation of the dramatic action. She also adds to some of the themes of the play. Emilia contributes to the characterization of both Iago and Desdemona. Emilia enters the play in Act II, Scene i when she and the party arrive in Cyprus. Iago speaks to her rudely and treats her disparagingly in front of the others; “Come on, come on! You are pictures out of door, Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens, Saints in your injuries…” (II.i.108-110). This reveals to the audience Iago’s true nature in his marital relationship and his low opinion of women. Throughout the play Desdemona’s innocence and guilessness is contrasted with Emilia’s realistic and experienced perspective. This is particularly evident in Act IV, Scene iii when Desdemona says to Emilia that she cannot believe that there are women who would be unfaithful to their husbands; “ Dost thou in conscience think, tell me, Emilia, That there be women do abuse their husbands In such gross kind?” (VI.iii.63-65). Emilia describes the nature of men and marriage in a matter fact way and goes on to say that she herself would commit adultery should the price be right. Emilia contributes to the dramatic irony in the play. In Act IV, scene ii there are two occasions where Emilia curses the person that has tricked Othello into believing Desdemona has been unfaithful. Unbeknownst to Emilia, it is her husband that is to blame but the audience is aware and therefore it is ironic that she should say to Othello; “ If any wretch have put this in your head, Let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse,”
Cited: Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice. Ed. Alvin Kernan. New York: Signet Classics, 1998.