Back to: Othello by William Shakespeare
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An Attendant
Emilia is Desdemona‘s attendant. She spends much of her day in Desdemona’s service, so she has insight and more clear to Desdemona’s personal life. This gives benefit to the villain Iago, who is also Emilia’s husband.
To make Othello believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful, Iago plans to use her and talks her into giving him Desdemona’s handkerchief so that he may plant it in Cassio’s quarters. Emilia is unwavering to Desdemona, however, she is faithful to Iago too.
Love vs Duty
She is gotten between her heart and her obligations as both a spouse and Desdemona’s specialist. This double obligation uncovers the unpredictability of being a lady in Elizabethan England. When Emilia hands over the handkerchief to Iago, the plot against Othello quickens.
Cassio finds the handkerchief, and he asks Bianca to make a duplicate of it. In an attack of jealousy, since she trusts that this cloth is confirmed that Cassio has another sweetheart, Bianca makes a scene before Cassio, Othello, and others to declare that she won’t duplicate ‘some minx’s token’ (Act 4, Scene 1).
Othello’s Doubt
Othello perceives the handkerchief as Desdemona’s, which hardens his doubts that Desdemona and Cassio are having an unsanctioned romance.
If Emilia had not given Iago the handkerchief, Iago’s intention of making Othello frantic with envy may have failed, yet withholding the handkerchief would have additionally brought hardship upon her marriage.
Until the last scene, Emilia does not associate her better half with plotting against Othello. ‘I know thou didst not,’ she says to Iago in the last scene in the wake of finding Othello had killed her special lady, ‘…thou’rt not such a miscreant‘ (Act 5, Scene 2).
Rationality on Marriage
A standout amongst the fascinating parts of Emilia is her rationality on marriage. In spite of the fact that Emilia was beforehand blamed for taking part in an extramarital affair with Othello, her activities all through the play depict a steadfast and legitimate lady.
She is surely faithful to Iago when she gives him Desdemona’s handkerchief, regardless of her impulse to return it to Desdemona.
Emilia’s one deceptive act towards Desdemona—taking her special handkerchief ends up with wrecking results. The loss of the handkerchief is the thing that persuades Othello that Desdemona is blameworthy of unfaithfulness, and Emilia’s little theft winds up causing her companion’s death.
Redemption
In any case, she redeems herself or possibly gives a good shot at attempting. It’s Emilia who finds the reality about Iago’s plotting and uncovers it to the world. She can’t bring life into Desdemona back, yet she does demonstrate her companion’s innocence.
She winds up yielding her life so Desdemona won’t be recognized as a “prostitute.” Iago executes Emilia as payback for unmasking him, however, Emilia passes on pleased that she put some rumours to end.
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