Emilia in William Shakespeare's Othello is often seen as just a maid, but she is much more than that. She is a typical wife who submits to her husband's will, a faithful servant who defends her mistress, and a classic Shakespearean woman who shows extraordinary wit and courage when given the chance to speak (Shakespeare, 1603/2007).
1. A Faithful Servant to Desdemona
As the play unfolds, Emilia's respect and loyalty to Desdemona is shown by how she speaks to her and obeys her commands. Her concern for her mistress is clear when Desdemona worries about Othello's jealousy.
Emilia tries to comfort her by explaining the nature of jealousy:
"But jealous souls will not be answer'd so; They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster Begot upon itself, born on itself" (Shakespeare, 1603/2007, Act 3, sc. 4, lines 155-158).
When Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona's faithfulness with Cassio, Emilia defends her mistress with a straight and honest answer:
"I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, Lay down my soul at stake... If any wretch have put this in your head, Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse! For, if she be not honest, chaste, and true, There's no man happy" (Shakespeare, 1603/2007, Act 4, sc. 2, lines 13-19).
Here, Emilia not only justifies Desdemona's faithfulness but also displays wisdom beyond what is expected of a maid-in-waiting.
2. A Wife Trapped by Obedience
Emilia's most tragic act is stealing Desdemona's handkerchief. It is not because she wants what her mistress owns. It is because her husband Iago has pressured her for it. She is ignorant of his evil plan to use it to destroy Othello and Desdemona.
When she finds the handkerchief after Desdemona accidentally drops it, she says:
"I am glad I have found this napkin: This was her first remembrance from the Moor: My wayward husband hath a hundred times Woo'd me to steal it... I nothing but to please his fantasy" (Shakespeare, 1603/2007, Act 3, sc. 3, lines 290-297).
Emilia is compelled by her social and marital status to submit to her husband, despite Iago's low regard for women. Iago insults her openly, saying "You rise to play and go to bed to work" (Shakespeare, 1603/2007, Act 2, sc. 1, line 114) and calling her "a foolish wife" (Shakespeare, 1603/2007, Act 3, sc. 3, line 303). Despite his hostility, Emilia continues to value her marriage and her husband's reputation.
3. A Woman with Extraordinary Wit and Courage
Shakespeare gives Emilia one of the most feminist speeches in all his plays. In Act 4, scene 3, Desdemona asks Emilia if she would ever be unfaithful to her husband. Emilia answers honestly:
"In troth, I think I should; and undo't when I had done... for the whole world... I should venture purgatory for't" (Shakespeare, 1603/2007, Act 4, sc. 3, lines 58-61).
When Desdemona asks who should be blamed if wives fall, Emilia boldly answers that it is the husbands' fault if they slack their duties, strike their wives, or pour their treasures "into foreign laps" (Shakespeare, 1603/2007, Act 4, sc. 3, lines 85-90). She reminds husbands that "wives have sense like them: they see and smell And have their palates both for sweet and sour, as husbands have" (Shakespeare, 1603/2007, Act 4, sc. 3, lines 93-95).
These answers show Emilia as an ordinary woman with extraordinary wit. If Desdemona had said these lines, it would be less powerful. Coming from a maid, the message becomes distinctive and brave.
Her emotional strength peaks at the end. She tries to prevent Othello from killing Desdemona, confronts the Moor after the murder, and calls for help. She then dares her own husband to tell the truth:
"Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man: He says thou told'st him that his wife was false" (Shakespeare, 1603/2007, Act 5, sc. 2, lines 171-172).
When she realizes that the handkerchief she stole contributed to the deaths of Desdemona and Othello, she feels deep despair. But she does not return to Iago's side. For her truth-telling, Iago stabs her from behind.
Conclusion
So tragic is the death of a woman who remained loyal and true to the people she loves. Emilia's role is not as profound as her mistress Desdemona's, yet she leaves a lasting mark. Her advice makes women readers aware of their rights as wives and as persons apart from being their husband's wife. Through Emilia, Shakespeare once again proves the strength and wisdom of women, who during his time were deprived of a voice.
References
Shakespeare, W. (2007). Othello (B. A. Mowat & P. Werstine, Eds.). Folger Shakespeare Library. (Original work published 1603)
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