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The definition of the view of friendship
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The definition of the view of friendship
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Emilia and Desdemona were best friends and were always together. No matter if dead or alive Emilia is always alongside Desdemona. "Ay, ay; O, lay me by mistress' side" (Shakespeare 5.2.235). Emilia is a true friend and loves Desdemona and wants to die next to her. Emilia did everything in her power to please Desdemona, but when Desdemona died she saw no reason to live. When Desdemona was upset so was Emilia, everything that affected Dedemona also hurt Emilia. Emilia is the true definition what it means to be a best friend.
Emilia displays to Desdemona a helping hand and says to leave Othello if she is so hurt by his “understandings”. “…Having the world for your labor, ‘tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right” She is basically explaining to Desdemona to leave Othello for his ludicrous antics.
At the beginning of the action, the two ladies relationship furthers the plot by creating a circumstance in which Desdemona’s handkerchief goes missing. Desdemona’s most valued token of Othello’s love is a supposedly magic handkerchief that belonged to his mother and Desdemona keeps it with her at all times. When she drops it Emilia swipes it to try to please her husband, Iago. By stealing the handkerchief Emilia unwittingly sets in motion Iago’s scheme that will eventually lead to the death of herself, Othello, and her beloved Desdemona. Without this handkerchief Iago’s scheme would never work because it is the only piece of substantial proof of Desdemona's infidelity can use to convince Othello. Therefore, without Desdemona and Emilia's close friendship there would be no plot. Toward the end of the play, Emilia and Desdemona’s relationship becomes crucial to the plot again. After Othello kills Desdemona Emilia is the one who puts together the facts and unearths Iago’s scheme, risking her own life to do so. After witnessing Desdemona’s death Emilia says, “O thou dull Moor, that handkerchief thou speak’st of I found by fortune, and did give my husband- for often, with a solemn earnestness he begged of me to steal ‘t”(5.2.267-272). At the threat of her own death she revealed Iago’s treachery and concluded the plot by explaining how Iago’s scheming led to the death of four different people. Without Emilia’s proximity to Desdemona she would never have been able to take the handkerchief and her knowledge of Iago and Desdemona’s natures made her the only character able to uncover Iago’s scheme. Certainly, Desdemona’s close relationship and differing characters were essential to the plot of the
...stablish that Desdemona has sacrificed many relationships for the sake of her marriage to Othello, though there is textual evidence that suggests that Desdemona might not have friends. Like Cassio, Emilia uses “friend” as a manipulative rhetorical device, though her use is more effective. Bianca uses “friend” to show her displeasure and provide insight into her relationship with Cassio, proving the superficiality of their relations. Most notably, Othello believes that he and Iago are mutual friends, which also shows that their relationship is superficial. Throughout Othello, the term “friend” is repeated to show that there is something wrong with these characters’ idea of what it is to be a friend or simply to advance one’s standing. In its truest sense, what we consider a friend is not referred to by name in Othello, the very reason its reiteration is unsettling.
She is a caregiver. Emilia becomes close to young Desdemona. It could be implied that Emilia is a older than Desdemona, and not just because she is stated as “young Des”, but also because she is a bit naive. This is revealed when Emilia and Desdemona talking about women cheating on their husbands. Desdemona says, “I do not think there is any such woman.” With this she is trying to say that she doesn’t think any women would be capable or actually cheats on their husband. Emilia, then explains that many women do it and it's not their fault it’s their husbands. Emilia: “Yes, a dozen; and as many to th’ vantage as would store the world they play’d for. But I do think it is their husbands’ faults, If wives do fall.” In essence, Emilia is teaching young, naive Desdemona things she wouldn’t know if she didn’t have her. If she didn’t have a caregiver, and most importantly an important
Emilia is a realistic woman. She does not always do what is right, but does things to make life easier for herself. When Emilia steals Desdemona’s handkerchief she says,
First, in order to defend Desdemona's chastity, Emilia challenges the societal norm of silence. Recall the incident when Othello calls Desdemona a "whore" for cheating. In response, Emilia protests loudly against Othello and attempts to disprove his belief that Desdemona is not chaste: "A halter pardon him [Othello]! And hell gnaw his bones! / Why should he call her [Desdemona] whore? (4.2. 143,144). Instead of Emilia conforming to the attribute of Renaissance women as silent, she condemns Othello for his false accusations against her mistress, Desdemona. Later in the play, after finding Desdemona killed, Emilia challenges silence again: "As ignorant as dirt! Thou hast done a deed-... / The Moor hath killed my mistress!" (5.2. 171,174). Although Othello tells Emilia that it would be "best" for her to remain silent, she ignores his request and ridicules him for killing "sweet" Desdemona (5.2. 169).
Both Desdemona and Emilia are very faithful wives of men that are in the Venetian military. These men are both held in high esteem by the Venetian society. Othello is a general of the
She is unwittingly responsible for her friend’s death because, she never mentions the handkerchief until Desdemona has been killed. Although, Iago is the mastermind behind Desdemona’s death and Othello is the person who murdered her, if then, it were not for Emilia who initiates Iago’s plans, Desdemona would still be alive. Emilia is unwittingly responsible for Desdemona’s death because she is nave about her husband’s actions; she is silent about the handkerchief and lacks courage to prove to Othello that Desdemona’s is innocent. Desdemona’s death is caused because Emilia is naive and has poor judgment of Iago. Iago believes that Emilia is promiscuous; this sparks his jealousy toward Othello.
Emilia, while lying next to her best friend on her deathbed, began to suppress her passive nature and attempts persecute the murderer. Nonetheless, the only woman who stood up for herself got killed in the end by her own husband. Othello and Iago’s wives were thought to be disloyal to their husband, while only one of them was correct in this accusation, Desdemona and Emilia were both murdered by the people they pledged their allegiance to. But, Emilia was the only woman who denounced the authority men had over women and compares the qualities of both men and women. She is fully aware of the gender
The Christian Bible tells us that “pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18 KJV). For Desdemona in William Shakespeare’s Othello, this is certainly true. Although Desdemona is innocent of the sins of which she is accused, she still bears responsibility for her own downfall. If not for Desdemona’s pride, she could have lived a long and happy life with Othello. From a psychological standpoint, Desdemona is ultimately responsible for her own demise because of her prideful nature.
The pursuit of knowledge has led many a philosopher to wonder what the purpose of life truly is, and how the material and immaterial are connected. The simple fact is, we can never know for certain. Arguments can be made, words can be thrown around, and rationale can be supported, but we as mere humans are not capable of arriving at the perfect understanding of life. Nonetheless, in the war against our own ignorance, we seek possible explanations to explain that which science and math cannot. Philosopher 's such as Plato and Aristotle have made notable contributions to our idea of the soul and its role in the grand scheme of life, while some, such as Descartes, have taken a more metaphysical view by pondering the impact one 's mind has on
Iago controls Emilia and treats her as less when she does not act as a submissive wife. Therefore, Emilia follows to keep Iago satisfy. Further, Iago tells Emilia to steal the handkerchief; which she follows without knowing his intentions, to then be insulted by Iago calling her a “foolish wife” (3.3.313), and demanding her, “Go, leave me” (3.3.330). Apparently, Iago makes Emilia lesser, and she accepts her role as a submissive wife. Moreover, although Othello proclaims loving Desdemona, he perceives her as inferior as a result of jealousy. As in Act 5, Scene 2 where Othello says to Desdemona, “Down, strumpet!” (89), suggesting that he puts her in an inferior position to kill her reflecting his true perception of Desdemona. And likewise Emilia, Desdemona accepts the role of an obedient wife by using her last breath to take the fault off Othello
Emilia is not necessarily naïve nor is she stretching her reach often. She shows respect to her husband Iago despite disagreeing with him “Emilia steals the handkerchief for the sake of Iago’s “fantasy” (III.iii.303) and assures the success of his plot.” (140). She is loyal and kind to her lady Desdemona and gracefully takes on situations. Still Emilia is prudent “She rejects identification with Bianca yet sympathizes with female promiscuity. She corrects Desdemona’s occasional naivety but defends her chastity.” (Neely.140) Bianca so there is clear understanding why Emilia does not associate with her. Still Emilia shows empathy to the lady’s situation she does not turn a blind eye and snub her. With Desdemona, she is quick to offer advice and encourage right actions. She shows toleration and kindness to both ladies, even with the men she has a measured reaction for most of the play. Emilia isn’t blind to the situations facing both the girls still “Although she comprehends male jealousy and espouses sexual equality, she seems remarkably free of jealousy herself.” (Neely.
Emilia is a minor but necessary character in Shakespeare’s Othello. She battles playing the role of a loyal wife and caretaker, while possessing inner strength to rebel against society and man’s invisible reign on woman. Emilia is a wife to Iago, a caretaker to Desdemona, but most importantly she is a lady of potency and character. Through these qualities Emilia unwillingly follows her wifely obligations to Iago, but additionally develops a strong relationship with Desdemona. This connection between the two women, allows Emilia to hold Shakespeare’s key to the entire tragic plot.
Emilia’s role shows us that no matter what you do for Iago, nothing is ever good enough. B. Desdemona and Emilia are similar in their honor to their husbands, yet they are strikingly different because their motivation comes from different areas. Both Desdemona and Emilia show honor and respect to their husbands Othello and Iago; the two women each respond to her husband's bidding. Yet the two women are in very different relationships, and this causes them to have different motivating factors. Desdemona and Othello have a relationship that is based on true love, and the two want to see each other happy.