Shakespeare’s portrayal of Emilia: Examining her character and role in the play

For the majority of the play the roole of Emilia is a subsidiary one. She is Iago’s wife, althouhg she is ignorant of Iago’s villanouse plots right up until the end of the play. It could however be argued that Emilia is the character who has the most influence on th plot. It is she who gives Iago the handkerchief which he un turn uses as evidence for Desdemona.s infidelity. She also spreads the news that Desdemona has been murdered at the hands of Othello.

Iago uses Emilia to his advantage, she plays the dutiful wife who longs to break free from the tyrannous affair with her husband, and he uses Emilia as a tool at every available oppertunity, whether it be to advance his social standing, or bring down Othello.

We first become aware that Iago is using Emilia in Axt 2 Scene 3 “My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress…………I’ll set her on.” This is said in a soliloquy at the end of the scene.

Iago wants Emilia to ask Desdemona to plead for Cassio’s re-enstatement after he has struck a fellow officer while he was drunk (Of course set-up by Iago). If Emilia is succesful this gives Iago a good foundation on which to build evidence of Desdemona’s infidelity with Cassio. Iago assumes that Emilia will do as he wishes, “I will get” implies that he belisves she will do it without question. Emilia is loyal to Iago, and tolerates his sciniscism but does not suspect Iago of such evil.

Shakespeare uses the wordly views of Emila to contrast with the naivety of Desdemona, both from very different backgrounds with different views. Emilia is a realist, she is loyal and commited, she has wide views on human nature. Iago dissmiss her as a “A foolish wife.” Desdemona is froma rich background whre she has been isolated from the ‘real world’ and it’s demons, Emlia has grown up in the harsh real world and as such