Othello- Emilia, Desdemona Relationship
Emilia Desdemona Relationship
In the play “Othello”, by William Shakespeare, there are two major feminine figures that attract our attention. One is the wife of the play’s tragic hero-Othello; the other is betrothed to one of the greatest villains of all time-Iago. They are part and parcel of what goes on in the play and eventually how the crisis of the play is resolved. These two females of the play can be compared and contrasted in a number of ways.
To begin, both Desdemona and Emilia are the wives of men of action. Their husbands are in the Venetian military and not just ordinary men but men who hold positions and value. Desdemona is the wife of Othello who is a General in the army with men under his command. Emilia’s husband is Iago who is the ancient of Othello. Next, the two ladies exhibit a level of ignorance of the plots in play around them. Unknowingly both Desdemona and Emilia play right into Iago’s master plan of destruction. Desdemona and Emilia are also loyal wives who want to please their husbands. Othello believes that Desdemona is lewd and unchaste; therefore Desdemona wants to appease his worries concerning her loyalty by reassuring him, thus pleasing him. Desdemona affirms:
"I never did
Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio
But with such general warranty of heaven
As I might love. I never gave him token."
She is veracious in saying that she has not cheated on Othello with Cassio, therefore proving to him that she is loyal. Similarly, Emilia is just as loyal to Iago as Desdemona is to Othello. When Emilia finds Desdemona’s handkerchief she remembers that her husband had asked her to give it to him.
"I am glad I have found this napkin
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Wooed me to steal it
I nothing, but to please his fantasy."
For that reason, instead of giving it back to her mistress right away, Emilia gave it to Iago with the goal in mind of pleasing him. Emilia’s actions thus reinforce her loyalty to Iago.
Emilia and
In the play “Othello”, by William Shakespeare, there are two major feminine figures that attract our attention. One is the wife of the play’s tragic hero-Othello; the other is betrothed to one of the greatest villains of all time-Iago. They are part and parcel of what goes on in the play and eventually how the crisis of the play is resolved. These two females of the play can be compared and contrasted in a number of ways.
To begin, both Desdemona and Emilia are the wives of men of action. Their husbands are in the Venetian military and not just ordinary men but men who hold positions and value. Desdemona is the wife of Othello who is a General in the army with men under his command. Emilia’s husband is Iago who is the ancient of Othello. Next, the two ladies exhibit a level of ignorance of the plots in play around them. Unknowingly both Desdemona and Emilia play right into Iago’s master plan of destruction. Desdemona and Emilia are also loyal wives who want to please their husbands. Othello believes that Desdemona is lewd and unchaste; therefore Desdemona wants to appease his worries concerning her loyalty by reassuring him, thus pleasing him. Desdemona affirms:
"I never did
Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio
But with such general warranty of heaven
As I might love. I never gave him token."
She is veracious in saying that she has not cheated on Othello with Cassio, therefore proving to him that she is loyal. Similarly, Emilia is just as loyal to Iago as Desdemona is to Othello. When Emilia finds Desdemona’s handkerchief she remembers that her husband had asked her to give it to him.
"I am glad I have found this napkin
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Wooed me to steal it
I nothing, but to please his fantasy."
For that reason, instead of giving it back to her mistress right away, Emilia gave it to Iago with the goal in mind of pleasing him. Emilia’s actions thus reinforce her loyalty to Iago.
Emilia and