Presentation of Emilia in 'Othello'
First Impression
Negative
Due to Iago's soliloquy
His suspicion of her infidelity with Othello
Betrayal VS loyalty
Similarity: Initially both Iago and Emilia betray those they serve
Difference: Emilia protects Desdemona
Iago continues to manipulate Othello mercilessly
Intelligence
Awareness of men’s betrayals VS Desdemona's innocence and gullibility
Analysis of Othello’s behavior VS Othello’s raging passions
Dramatic tension
First to suspect Othello's true motive when he wanted her to be absence
Gender Inequality
Her obedience to Iago
Willingness to steal HANDKERCHIEF for Iago
Low self esteem
To reveal Iago’s manipulative powers and to move the plot forward that will ‘prove’ Desdemona’s adultery
Shakespeare used her to raise gender issue in Elizabethan times
Resonate of audiences' sense of injustice of woman in the society
Tolerates men’s affairs while women are bound to absolute fidelity
In Act 3, 4
Audience aware of men's attitude toward women and their point of view in Venetian women
