What is the importance of Emilia in 'Othello'?

What is the importance of Emilia in ‘Othello’?

I am going to talk about the importance of Emilia who is Iago’s wife. We are not introduced to Emilia properly until some way into the play – the third act (I think,) although she is referred to by Iago who claims that Othello has slept with her behind his back. There is no proof of this being true but it highlights the fact that Othello may not be “perfect” soldier that he is first characterised as. Iago could, in the words of S.T Coleridge, just be “motive hunting” for a reason to hate Othello.

I think that Emilia is intentionally introduced halfway the play as this is where Iago’s plot ‘thickens’, (as it were). She is used here to pick up the handkerchief, which is a major development in, not only Iago’s plot, but also the plot of the play.

Although she is not a main character, Emilia’s presence is very important in ‘Othello’. Her main use is to develop our understanding of the plot and to help us to comprehend other character’s thoughts during their conversations with her. We can learn much about Iago from their relationship. Using Emilia, Iago shows his low opinion of women by directing insults, disrespecting her and ordering her about: “speak within door”, “get you home,”. In response to learning Iago’s view of women, we learn Emilia’s view of men: “they eat us hungrily and when they are full, they belch us.” Here, Emilia shows how she perceives men to use women for their own needs and then get rid of them. Although Emilia is cynical it is clear that she still wants to please men. This is shown by the way in which, because she does not know the consequences, she steals Desdemona’s handkerchief for Iago just to get some attention, other than insults from him. Emilia also is of the opinion that women should be equal to men. However, in Othello, women are seen as the objects of men - their possessions and under their control. Brabantio decides that Othello is not good enough for his daughter, Desdemona: “My daughter is not for thee.” Here, the use of “my daughter” instead of using Desdemona’s name signifies that Brabantio sees Desdemona as one of his possessions.

Continuing on the subject of Desdemona, Emilia and Iago’s heartless relationship is the mirror image of Desdemona and Othello’s relationship. They are constantly “chiding” and share no affection, which contrasts and therefore enhances the love and intimacy in Othello and Desdemona’s marriage and the poignancy of the reduction of their relationship to a "foul disproportion."

This is a preview of the whole essay

Emilia is used to portray Iago’s views. He shows his love for power by the way that he treats their marriage. Moreover, he confirms Emilia’s suspicions that men only use women to get what they want. This is shown by the way that although Emilia manages to get Iago the handkerchief that he needed in for the next stage in his plan, he still shows no affection towards her.

Iago’s great acting skills are also shown by the fact that even his own wife does not suspect the extent of his villainy. This is important because it shows how easy it is for a trusting man like Othello to be tricked so easily by Iago and therefore makes the fact that Iago can create such a good façade much more believable.

Emilia’s major contribution to “Othello” is the stealing of Desdemona’s handkerchief for Iago. She does this not realising that on of the consequences will be her own death. The stealing of the handkerchief is a dramatic moment in “Othello” and helps to develop the plot. Iago uses it to prove to Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio and using this ‘evidence’ Iago can enrage Othello further.

To sum up, Emilia is important through her relationships with others. From her friendship with Desdemona we can learn that Desdemona is really the very “honest” and “sweet” woman that she is renowned to be. This helps us to know that all of the things Iago says to Othello about Desdemona are lies and thus makes Desdemona’s death even more poignant. We are able to characterise Iago much better through his relationship with Emilia. We learn not only of his great acting skills but also his love for power and disrespect for women. This love of power perhaps explains the reason for furthering his plans with Othello although he has already succeeded in becoming his lieutenant.

Liz is now going to talk about the role of women.