Emilia is Iago's wife, and Desdemona's maid. She's a woman of practical intelligence and emotional resilience.

She obeys Iago in a wifely duty, but during the play she develops a strong bond and liking to Desdemona, at the end she denounces Iago, her loyalty to her husband and lies to defend Desdemona's reputation.

She speaks disparagingly of men, but until the last scene she supports her husband when needed.

When she finally sees the truth, Emilia abandons all her loyalty to Iago and verbally attacks him for the villain he is.

In response Iago silences her,by killing her. Emilia believes that most men are foolish, wicked,or perverse, nothing she experiences during the course of the play disapproves that assessment of her's.

She is pushed into bringing Desdemona's handkerchief by her husband, whom she obeyed,not realizing what huge impact it would have on everyone's lives.

This handkerchief, was given to Othello by his mother, and Othello in turn gave it as a gift to Desdemona . It represented many things, specially of his love for Desdemona , and loyalty he expects in return from his wife.

1)Discuss the role of Emilia, in the light of the events in the play

2)How does her character change during the course of the play?

3) Analyze the significance when Emilia decides to be silent, and when she decides to speak, in the play.

4)What is the affect of her silence about the handkerchief?

5)Do you forgive her silence, because she insists on speaking in spite of Iago's threats in the final scene?

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The Duality of Emilia in Othello Emilia is a complex and crucial character in Othello Heres a breakdown of her role development and the significance o... View the full answer