Emilia's Unyielding Loyalty in Othello

Kristen Yee

2017 November 13

World Classics H

Othello Narrative

Part 1:

Emilia has a fierce sense of loyalty. After Desdemona’s death she catches wind of Iago’s malicious scheme, and swears that, “I’ll make [Iago’s scheme] known,/ Though I lost twenty lives” (V.ii.87). Emilia had been a close friend of Desdemona’s throughout the play, and her death had a large impact on Emilia, who thought nothing but kindness and virtue of her late friend. Even when Othello tries convincing Emilia that “[Desdemona] turn’d to folly, and she was a whore” (V.ii.85), Emilia stays adamant on the fact that Desdemona would never cheat. Up until the point that Iago murders her, Emilia fights for the truth and defends her friend with a sense of loyalty unfathomable

Also in the scene is Iago, who receives Desdemona’s stolen handkerchief from Emilia. Emilia does not have very strong feelings of love for Iago, and her desire to please Iago may be simply to appease him, or perhaps to gain his approval. Compared to the perfect, “ideal” relationship that Desdemona and Othello display in beginning of the play, Emilia and Iago’s marriage is very much flawed and bland. He constantly degrades her, and that is what causes Emilia to seek for his approval.

It is dusk, just before dinner-time. The sky is a canvas of purples, blues and oranges; the sun is a deep red. There are little black silhouettes of houses and castles soaking up the red blood like oversaturated bandages, regurgitating the rest onto the streets are syrupy orange light. The air is crisp, soaked thoroughly in the scent of canal water and burning candles. From the handkerchief in Emilia’s hand just the slightest hints of fragrant spices arise. Around them, the doors of shops creak to a close as the day comes to an end. The torch in Iago’s hand chuckles heartily, sputtering incandescent sparks into the

This is a precursor to show how Emilia puts all this effort into pleasing him, only to be repaid in pain and suffering.

Just before this, Emilia had been having a conversation with Desdemona, Iago, and Othello and she probably notices a bit of the tension between Othello and Desdemona. They leave the scene for a while, then come back. Othello and Desdemona leave, and it is then that Desdemona drops her handkerchief.

Emilia is excited that she finally is in possession of the handkerchief. It has been something that Iago has been urging her to steal, and the fact that she did not explicitly steal it makes her feel a bit relieved as well.

Emilia is seeking to help Iago because of her loyalty towards him. She is trying to please her husband, who rarely shows her affection or gives her praise.

Part 2:

The handkerchief drifted to the floor in the afternoon Venetian