The Significance of Emilia in Othello Essay - 879 Words

The Significance and Dramatic Purposes of Emilia In Shakespeare’s â€Å"Othello†, Emilia is considered one of the minor characters. She is the wife of Iago and the lady in waiting to Desdemona. Emilia makes a crucial contribution to the play as a whole. She contributes to the characterization of a couple of key characters and adds to the dramatic irony of the play. She plays an essential role in the escalation of the dramatic action. She also adds to some of the themes of the play. Emilia contributes to the characterization of both Iago and Desdemona. Emilia enters the play in Act II, Scene i when she and the party arrive in Cyprus. Iago speaks to her rudely and treats her disparagingly in front of the others; â€Å"Come on, come on! You are†¦show more content†¦These two instances when Emilia calls out the evil doer (not realizing she is actually referring to her husband) also builds on the dramatic tension that is ultimately released when Emilia tells the truth and exposes her husband in Act 5, scene ii. E milia contributes greatly to the dramatic action of the play. In the rising action she unwittingly gives her husband the very object that will seal Desdemona’s fate. The handkerchief she hands to Iago becomes the material evidence that convinces Othello of Desdemona’s guilt. There are a couple of opportunities where Emilia is in a position to alter the tragic outcome. In Act III, scene iv Desdemona asks Emilia if she know where she lost her handkerchief. Emilia states, â€Å" I know not, madam.† (III.iv.23). Again, later in the scene Emilia misses another opportunity to foil Iago’s plan. Emilia sees how upset Othello gets about Desdemona not being able to produce the handkerchief yet she does not come forth. Instead, she blames it on men and marriage; â€Å" Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (III.iv.103-104). She does not see the connection between the jealous husband and the handkerchief. This dramatic device of having the character being naà ¯ve to information about which the audience is aware builds tension. The audience knows of Iago’s plan to use the handkerchiefShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of William Shakespeare s Othello1603 Words   |  7 PagesMAJOR WORKS REVIEW GENERAL 1. Title - Othello 2. Author - William Shakespeare 3. Date of Original Publication - 1622 4. Novel Type - Play STRUCTURE 1. Point of View - Iago 2. Relationship to meaning: The reader sees things the way that Iago sees them. This gives the reader an inside look on Iago’s evil plans, which also leads to a better understanding of all of the other characters, but Iago especially. The reader sees how Iago manipulates so many of the characters, like Roderigo and MontanoRead MoreShakespeare s Othello - Role Of Women And Gender Representation1312 Words   |  6 PagesWomen in Othello The role of women and gender representation in Othello challenged the male dominated society in that time period. Women in Shakespeare’s time were seen as being loyal and submissive to their husbands and not going against their husband’s judgment. Shakespeare developed complex and varied female characters in his plays, especially the women portrayed in Othello. In the play, Shakespeare introduces three female characters: Desdemona, Othello s wife, Emilia, Iago’s wife and mistressRead MoreEmili Othello 1162 Words   |  5 PagesEmilia’s Character in Othello Often within novels, plays or sorties, individuals are labeled to a certain category of character that fits an evident template. Emilia within Shakespeare’s Othello is unlike many of the other characters in that prospect as she is unique. Emilia has several different views and outlooks on the worldly matters, especially in comparison to say Desdemona or Othello whom respectively represent innocence and jealousy. The apparent fact that Emilia is married to Iago isRead MoreEssay about The Tragic Treatment of Women in Othello1662 Words   |  7 PagesThe Tragic Treatment of Women in Othello In Shakespeares drama, Othello, there are many different relationships among the main characters. The way that Shakespeare portrays these relationships sets the stage for the pain and deceit that unfolds within the play. Relations between the men of the play, Othello, Roderigo, Iago, and Cassio, undoubtedly form the main theme. Furthermore, each of the men, except Roderigo, also has woman that stands behind and cares for him. But the manor in whichRead MoreJames Bond1736 Words   |  7 PagesMonday: read Act 2 of Othello answer the study questions for Act 1 (they start with # 11, I dont know why!) Well look at the Act 2 questions during class Art: draw 2 faces following the instructions on this webpage: http://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Face its a lot like the other website, but also a little different, so youll get some different ideas on how to do this. STUDY QUESTIONS FOR OTHELLO Act I, Scene1 11. In Act I, scene 1 why does Iago say he hates Othello? What are all theRead MoreTreachery and Betrayal in Othello1408 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s play, Othello, acts of treachery and betrayal have great dramatic significance. They greatly contribute to the theme that appearance does not always portray reality, and reality is not what one sees but more often what one does not see. The acts of treachery and betrayal in Othello help to develop this theme through character development. Such acts include: how Iago deceives Othello by being his friend and enemy at the same time. Othello betraying his wife’s love and trust. Emilia (Iago’s wife)Read MoreThe Significance of the Handkerchief in Othello by Shakespeare566 Words   |  3 Pagesis significant to the plot, mainly to Iagos manipulation of Othello and his convincing the latter of Desdemonas infidelity. Moreover, it sheds light over Iago, Desdemona, Othello and Emilias characters, and is thus important to characterisation. The symbolic significance attached to the handkerchief reveals Othellos social background, his treatment of Desdemona and the latters feelings towards her husband. Interestingly, Othello provides two sides of the story of how he got the handkerchiefRead MoreDesdemona’s Handkerchief in Othello Essay891 Words   |  4 PagesIn Shakespeare’s play Othello, one of the main character’s Desdemona possesses the most essential symbol and object in the play, a handkerchief. The handkerchief appears in Act III of the play and is a particularly important part in the plot of the play. It helps weave the entire story together. The handkerchief symbolizes Othello’s love and trust to Desdemona and Desdemona’s marital fidelity to Othello. The first symbol of the handkerchief is Desdemona’s marital fidelity. In the play, Iago givesRead MoreThe Significance of the Handkerchief in Othello823 Words   |  4 PagesHow can one small piece of fabric manifest so much havoc? In William Shakespeare’s Othello, there is great significance of a powerful symbol that completely alters the fate of the story. â€Å"In the case of the handkerchief, it stands for several things, things that cannot be seen† (Hacht 663). This symbol, the handkerchief, is given to Desdemona by Othello, as a token of his love, and to their new beginnings as husband and wife. However, the meaning of the handkerchief is viewed differently in variousRead More Iago Essay1146 Words   |  5 Pages Iago, More than Just a Villain Iago, the evil villain of Shakespeares Othello, is more than just a villain. In many ways he is the most intelligent and appealing character in the play. Iago shows superiority over the rest of the characters in the play. He has the ability to manipulate the characters in the play, therefore controlling the play with every sequence of events. His intelligence shines through his ability to deceive, his ability to strategize, and his ability to twist the truth. Iago