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Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maid, friend, and unofficial advisor. The first thing we learn about her is that it’s rumoured she had an affair with Othello: this rumour is cause enough for Iago to hatch his cunning plan. Because of this, it can be argued Emilia is one catalyst for the events of the play.
Emilia enters to deliver news of Roderigo’s death, raising the alarm once she sees the murdered Desdemona. Realizing what has happened, Emilia denounces Iago, and he stabs her and flees. Once Iago is brought back, the whole truth is revealed. Overwhelmed by his own guilt at what he has done, Othello kills himself. Iago is arrested and taken away.
Emilia is used as a pawn by Iago in his psychological warfare against Othello: he blames her alleged adultery for his actions and uses her to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief. Despite this, Shakespeare doesn’t portray her as a mindless, passive victim.
a letter recalling Othello and promoting Cassio to the command of Cyprus. Desdemona renews her pleas on Cassio’s behalf, and Othello strikes her. Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona, but Emilia declares she is honest. When he questions Desdemona, she swears her innocence. Othello
He reveals that he has heard rumours that Othello may have had sex with his wife, Emilia. As well as being overlooked for promotion, he uses these things as motives for his behaviour towards Othello, Desdemona and Cassio. However, Iago’s willingness to act on “suspicion… as if for surety,” suggests there is an inherent evil nature
Take the five characters Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Cassio and Emilia. From your descriptions of the two worlds, think about where they most ‘feel at home’.
Emilia arrives to tell Othello that Roderigo is dead and Cassio alive, when she hears Desdemona's dying cries. When Emilia demands why Othello has killed Desdemona, Othello explains how Iago proved to him that Desdemona slept with Cassio. As Montana, Iago, andGratiano, a relative of Brabantio's all arrive, Emilia accuses Iago of lying and explains
