In Shakespeare’s famous play Othello, Emilia’s actions can be seen as morally reprehensible by society. She betrays her dearest friend by stealing Desdemona’s precious handkerchief in order to please her husband, lago. However, by elaborating on her motives and the cruel circumstances of her marriage, Shakespeare is able to humanize Emilia, ultimately allowing the reader to be more sympathetic to her despite her actions.
Desdemona’s seemingly perfect relationship with Othello is contrasted by the terribly flawed marriage between lago and Emilia. lago constantly berates his wife throughout the play. Saying she talks “too much” and “without thinking” in act 2 scene 1, lago is portrayed to be an abusive husband. He also refers to both Desdemona and Emilia as “foolish women.” By creating such a despicable character as lago, Shakespeare shows the reader that Emilia is not solely an evil person, but rather a victim to a vicious and sexist man. In Act 1, Cassio exclaims “I marry her! What, a customer! I prithee bear some charity to my wit,” in reference to Bianca. Along with lago, Cassio also exhibits sexist qualities, finding the idea of marrying Bianca absurd. As his courtesan, she is utterly inferior to him, and he could not possibly wed her. By including Cassio, Shakespeare draws pity from the reader as Emilia is forced to live in a society where women are treated solely as property.
Shakespeare’s depiction of Desdemona also draws sympathy for Emilia. Emilia and Desdemona are the same in the way that they try with their best efforts to please their husbands. However, Desdemona is really in love with Othello, having stood up to her father and society to marry him. lago shows absolutely no affection to Emilia, and he uses her as a tool for his own purposes. The reader pities Emilia, as they are constantly reminded of how Desdemona’s marriage to Othello is mutually beneficial as opposed to the terrible marriage between Emilia and lago.
Shakespeare is able to allow the reader to relate to Emilia, which is his strongest way of drawing sympathy for her. In Act 4 Scene 3, Emilia has a monologue where the reader is able to draw powerful conclusions about her attitudes in her marriage to lago. Emilia powerfully proclaims “Let husbands know/Their wives have sense like them.” In this statement, Emilia powerfully asserts that women are equal to men. The reader sees how Emilia has realized she is not inferior, and they begin to root for her as she continues to question the societal norm. Everyone can relate to learning a harsh or powerful truth, so even though Emilia commits a terrible act, the reader stays able to sympathize. The reader ultimately feels sorry for Emilia, as she has lived in a terrible marriage for so long, she can only see equality between men and women in the fact that both can commit adultery.
Shakespeare’s Othello is a powerful play with complex characters, centered upon the themes of love and treachery. The character Emilia acts in ways considered evil, or even unforgivable by society. Through elaborating on her marriage and the terrible circumstances surrounding it, Shakespeare is able to soften Emilia, allowing the reader to truly understand her actions and the motives behind them.
