Character Analysis: Emilia

Richard Pho

Mr. George

Honors World Literature

1 December 2010

Character Analysis

Emilia, a cynical but faithful wife to Iago, deteriorates from her sphere of domesticity, showing her true loyalty to her mistress than her husband.

As the play progresses, Emilia succumbs to the faults made by her husband, causing her to break free from the traditional role of women.  Emilia acts as the guileful wife, paralleling to the actions of Iago.  When Othello desires answers about Desdemona, Emilia explains that she never "heard, nor ever did suspect" relations between Desdemona and Cassio (4.2.2).  Even though Emilia recognizes the truth, she fulfills her duties by fostering Iago's ideas.  Desdemona's death sparks Emilia to emerge as her true self.  Finally, Emilia expresses her own beliefs: "I will not charm my tongue.  I am bound to speak. / My mistress here lies murdered in her bed" (5.2.220-221). Talking back to her husband breaks the standards related to a marital couple.  She proclaims true loyalty to Desdemona, rather than Iago.  Her act of rebellion sets her free to express her own personality.

Emilia resembles the Farival Twins from The Awakening by Kate Chopin.  The Farival Twins embody society's expectations of how women should act.  The fact that they are twins demonstrates that every woman is a duplicate of one another.  In the beginning of the play, Emilia expresses the characteristics of the ideal woman, remaining loyal to her husband no matter what the circumstances are.  In the end, Emilia defies the Farival Twins as she breaks free from society's standards by speaking up for herself.

In The Wizard of Oz, the wizard feels the need to fulfill his expectations of being dark and powerful, when he really is overpowered by society's pressures just like Emilia.