Emilia doesn't say anything to Cassio, but if she's shocked, she recovers enough to join in some joking between Desdemona and Iago. She speaks disparagingly of men, but, until the last scene, she supports her husband when needed. Function Emilia is Iago’s wife and assigned to be a lady’s maid to Desdemona after her marriage to Othello. Defending A Man's Honor Word Count: 1378 Defending a Mans Honor The main male characters in Shakespeares play Othello kill their wives in order to defend their own honor. Iago made the plan in such a way that Desdemona did not recognize his planning. Desdemona, of a Venetian origin, is the daughter of Brabantio (a senator) who elopes to marry a Moorish Army General, Othello. It can be demonstrated that Emilia and Iago both were responsible for her death. Desdemona is the wife of Othello who is a General in the army with men under his command. Desdemona thinks her father is behind Othello being back to Venice. She also quickly becomes Desdemona’s confidante and hears about her mistress’s sorrow and heartache at Othello’s unkindness. Unknowingly both Desdemona and Emilia play right into Iago’s master plan of … Emilia is Iago's wife, and Desdemona's maid, a woman of practical intelligence and emotional resilience. But at times, Desdemona also seems a bit naïve, especially when it comes to marital relationships—at one point, she asks an incredulous Emilia if it's possible that a woman would ever cheat on her husband. The female protagonist in the tragic play “Othello”, Desdemona is truly one rare character who astonishes the readers as much with her outer beauty as with her inner grace. Character Analysis of Desdemona in Othello. Iago suggests to Cassio that he importune Desdemona to intercede for him, which she does. She follows Iago in wifely duty, but during the play develops a strong loyalty to Desdemona and, at the end, denounces Iago's lies to defend Desdemona's reputation. When Emilia arrives in Cyprus with Desdemona, Cassio welcomes her and then says to Iago, "Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, / That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding / That gives me this bold show of courtesy" (2.1.97-99).Whereupon Cassio kisses Emilia. Emilia Desdemona Relationship In the play “Othello”, by William Shakespeare, there are two major feminine figures that attract our attention. The daughter of Venetian senator Barbanzio, and General Othello's wife. Othello does not defend Desdemona when Iago degrades her reputation like how she defended him in front of the Duke and her father. Fraud Section (Crim Div) Alumni Membership-only site for Fraud Section alumni EMILIA : Good madam, do: I warrant it grieves my husband, As if the case were his. As we know that it is a domestic tragedy. She indefinitely believes that many men, as well as women, are frequently guilty of deception and betrayal of their partner. The citadel. Othello, however does not prove himself loyal to Desdemona by being easily fooled and doubts her honesty. Next, the two ladies exhibit a level of ignorance of the plots in play around them. Emilia … When Desdemona and Emilia have left, Roderigo accuses Iago of taking his money without getting him any “results” with Desdemona. She remains in love with him, even while knowing that he is responsible for her death. Othello questions Emilia about Desdomona, but Emilia defends her and suggests some wretch has put the wrongful ideas in his head. Desdemona might be a more central figure, but Emilia is the play's conscience; she makes Othello finally feel remorse for his act, and undoes some of the damage that Iago's allegations wrought, which not even Desdemona was able to allay. Emilia's conflict becomes apparent when the audience sees her loyalty to Desdemona and her outspokenness when she realizes what Iago has used the handkerchief for. She dies defending Desdemona’s honour and exposing the truth about her husband. Othello thinks she is merely an effective liar and is assisting her in her liasions. In Emilia’s first scene in Act 2 Scene 1, she is accompanied by her husband, Desdemona, and Cassio. 4. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down in malice. As such, she is part of the upper class of Venetian society. Recall the incident when Othello calls Desdemona a "whore" for cheating. Desdemona is a model wife, if perhaps too trusting of Iago. By this part of the play, Othello’s suspicions of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness have greatly increased, and he begins to accuse her of cheating on him. Her actions showed a sense of justice and morals. ... To talk to Desdemona, get the jewels back, and if she doesn't have the jewels then he's gunna get the money from Iago. ‘He called her a whore.’ - Emilia defending Desdemona to Iago. In the period setting of the play, to show honor, women are expected to be subservient to their husbands. Desdemona is totally drooling over Othello's "valiant parts:" Othello's a hottie with a body. Desdemona's fairness attract many men, including Roderigo. Emilia’s husband is Iago who is the ancient of Othello. Faithful Emilia died, still calmly defending Desdemona’s innocence and proclaiming her love for the virtuous woman. Iago and Emilia had a great role in Desdemona death. When came under the threat of her husband, Emilia still chose to uncover the truth instead of taking the side to cover her husband’s crimes. When Emilia overheard Othello and Desdemona’s confrontation she tried her best to support Desdemona in favor of the truth. The Daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio.Having been charmed by Othello 's tales of exotic lands and military exploits, Desdemona elopes with him before the play begins (although they do not consummate their marriage until they have received sanction from the Duke and, reluctantly, her father). CASSIO : Bounteous madam, Emilia steals Desdemona’s handkerchief to make Iago happy but she doesn’t know what he will do with it. Desdemona is the daughter of Brabantio, a man of some reputation in Venice. Desdomona enters with Emilia. Othello is one of the most important plays in English Literature. What Desdemona's father describes her as versus what she is actually like. Facts we learn about Emilia at the start of the play: She protects him by lying to Emilia that she was the one who inflicted harm on herself before she died. Enter DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and EMILIA. 'Othello' Act 3, Scenes 1-3 Summary. Towards end of the play we see D’s character become weaker and Emilia’s becoming stronger. 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. (It is never clear if she ever actually did.) Emilia has already been accused of cheating on her husband and moved on. In Othello, Act IV, scene ii and iii, Emilia, Iago’s wife, reveals her opinion about relationships to the reader as she attempts to comfort Desdemona. Emilia. Emilia’s deceptive nature showed her infidelity towards Desdemona. They are part and parcel of what goes on in the play and eventually how the crisis of the play is resolved. Then, despite facing death, Desdemona asks Emilia to commend her to her "kind lord." Her father describes her as pure, meek and subservient, ‘a maiden never bold’ (Act 1, Scene 3), yet when confronted by him she promptly defends her choices in a public forum, and says she will ‘trumpet them to the world’ (Act 1, Scene 3) and willingly follows Othello to Cyprus. Desdemona fled with Othello and married him. DESDEMONA : O, that's an honest fellow. However, Emilia and Desdemona have an interesting conversation when Desdemona, the absolute innocent, asks if any woman would cheat on … Do not doubt, Cassio, But I will have my lord and you again : As friendly as you were. Then must you speak In this play, Desdemona is an example of perfect womanhood. Act 4 Scene 2 Iago tells Roderigo he needs to kill Cassio in order to get any chance with Desdemona. Character Analysis of Shakespeare's Othello. By defending him in front of the Venetian senate and against her father, it shows that she is intelligent, confident, loyal and respectful This was her first words in the play - from then on, all she says is honest. Why is Emilia standing outside the door while Othello and Desdemona speak? The Female Protagonist. A … DESDEMONA : Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do : All my abilities in thy behalf. When Othello is sent to Cyprus in the line of duty, Desdemona accompanies him with his ensign's wife, Emilia attending her. 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