Desdemona's Relationship

The relationship between Desdemona and Emilia is both important and its development is both intriguing and captivating throughout the play. Desdemona enters the play as a sheltered character, feeling divided between her father and her husband “I do perceive here a divided duty…How to respect you. You are the lord of duty; I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband” (1.3.183-185). Emilia is Desdemona’s attendant and she is a confident experienced women, who is cynical about men and their true motives (Ivasere, 71). The differences between the two women create a fascinating and intriguing story. Throughout the play, the relationship between Desdemona and Emilia changes dramatically. Emilia gets Desdemona’s handkerchief for Iago, although she does not know what his intentions are

As their relationship grows in the first true heartfelt interaction between Desdemona and Emilia, Desdemona is innocent, true, and loyal towards her relationship with Othello with her questioning, “Dost thou in conscience think-tell me Emilia- That there be women do abuse their husbands in such gross kind?” (4.3.64-65). Emilia is more realistic and pragmatic in her response, “There be some such, no question” (4.3.66). As they continue it is Emilia teaching Desdemona about the ways of the world, but Desdemona is still innocent of the world and faithful to her husband despite Emilia’s words. “Beshrew me if I would do such wrong for the whole world” (4.3.81-82), and skeptical that these kind of women really exist, “I do not think these is any such woman” (4.3.86). Emilia is cynical towards men and she once again shares her views about them with Desdemona, “but I do think it is their husband’s faults if wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties”