Speeches (Lines) for Emilia in "Othello" Total: 103 print/save view OPTIONS: Show cue speeches • Show full speeches # Act, Scene, Line (Click to see in context) Speech text 1 II,1,895 You have little cause to say so. Emilia is worried about Othello’s strange behaviour and thinks he is behaving jealously towards Desdemona. ‘thieves, thieves, thieves! Emilia says this line after she picks up the handkerchief Desdemona has dropped, planning to turn it over to Iago. What he will do with it, Heaven knows, not I. [A3S3], ‘let nobody blame him, his scorn i approve’, Desdemona- Foreshadowing, shows Desdemona’s loyalty and love of Othello, foreshadows later actions and shows her undying love and affection. The characterization of a “Till close to the end [of the play] she frequently sets ones teeth on edge,” he writes of Emilia, “and at the end, one is ready to worship her.” Part of Emilia’s appeal is her sheer familiarity. and frailty? Each woman has her role to play in Iago's plot to bring down the mighty Othello. When Cassio shows courtesy to Emilia, Iago quickly adds his own criticisms to her character and shortly after begins his tirade: “Come on, come on. This quote shows that Emilia at this point feels little moral responsibility, and in fact might prefer not to know the details of what her husband is plotting. Desires for sports? These notes have considered Emilia’s seemingly feminist opinions, but it is Desdemona, who in conversation with Emilia, indicates that the tide may be finally turning: ‘Nay, we must think men are not gods’ (III.4.144) By definition, this suggests that Desdemona has certainly perceived men to be god-like figures in the past, but indicates that her experiences with Othello have taught her a lesson. This essay will focus on the feminist interpretation of Othello and how Othello provided an enabling outlet for feminist anger. Feminist criticism also provides a larger understanding of the time period the work was written in by highlighting these aspects of characters. Emilia even bravely challenges Othello when she discovers he has murdered Desdemona: “O the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!” (Act 5 Scene 2, Line 140). So would not I: my love doth so approve him Two contrasting images of womanhood dominate Othello: the virtuous and loyal woman, or Madonna, embodied by Desdemona; and the whore, embodied, to a certain extent by Bianca.. Emilia’s role in Othello is key, her part in taking the handkerchief leads to Othello falling for Iago’s lies more fully. Othello. Othello bids goodnight and asks for Desdemona to wait in bed for him, and Desdemona talks with her maid, Emilia about her love for Othello, as well as different attitudes to marriage and fidelity. In this way, he is like Othello… Emilia dies a true feminist. ). Shakespeare's Venice looks like some accounts of his plays, since it is not a Iago-presents Desdemona as an object owned by her father, almost irrelevant in list of stolen objects. Cuckold me?’, Othello-Reflects on Jacobean beliefs that should a woman cheat or defy husband, masculinity is destroyed, Othello enraged at this slight. Until the last scene, Emilia does not associate her better half with plotting against Othello. Emilia-revolutionary, contradicts patriarchal, jacobean norm of wifes unconditional loyalty, that upheld by Desdemona. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Shakespeare, you are too awesome. William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564 (allegedly)-April 23,1616), Beauty and the Beast Critical Lens Paper-Weebly Portfolio, The Poisonwood Bible Literary Analysis-Weebly Portfolio, Response to Invisible Man-Riding the Wave-Weebly Portfolio, And have their palates both for sweet and sour, As husbands have. Othello, Emilia: She loved thee, cruel Moor [graphic] / Louis Rhead. [A1S1], ‘And so much duty as my mother showedTo you, preferring you before her father’, Desdemona- irony that Desdemona, who disobeys her father and subverts patriarchal norms is in fact an upholder of tradition and is what a wife should be, faithful to her husband[A1S3], ‘Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:She has deceived her father, and may thee.’, Brabantio- Line is in form of couplet, gives a poetic and almost foreshadowing quality, Desdemona’s subversion of patriarchy tarnishes her name and forever will shed doubt. ‘I know thou didst not,’ she says to Iago in the last scene in the wake of finding Othello had killed her special lady, ‘…thou’rt not such a miscreant‘ (Act 5, Scene 2). Is't frailty that thus errs/. In a speech that is often described as ‘proto-feminist’, Emilia argues that a wife’s infidelity is a response to the husband’s behaviour: Say they slack their duties, And pour our treasures into foreign laps, Or else break out in peevish jealousies, (3.3.) Emilia is Iago's wife, and Desdemona's maid, a woman of practical intelligence and emotional resilience. Is is sport? Act Four: Emilia, The Feminist of Othello. Desdemona as beautiful daughter is seen as prized possession. [A4S1], Othello-Defies Patriarchal norm in juxtaposing Desdemona’s beauty with the rank of a warrior, shows her as his true equal and possessing of strength. For example, in Othello, Iago bends Othello to his will by feeding him lies that Desdemona is lecherous because, “She did deceive her father…” (Othello, Act III, scene iii, line 206). [A1S1] ‘the old black ram is tupping your white ewe!’. [A2S1], ‘The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;The profit’s yet to come ‘tween me and you’, Othello- Sex, this is interrupted by Cassio’s drunken actions, arguably Desdemona and Othello never consummate- testament to the forces of society that doom their love to failure. And doth affection breed it? Say that they slack their duties’. [A2S3]. It is so too. A Feminist Analysis of Othello In William Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello there are numerous instances of obvious sexism aimed at the three women in the drama -- Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca – and aimed at Analysis, related quotes, timeline. Folger ART Box R469 no.95 (size L) Emilia and Desdemona’s bodies haunt those that remain onstage: a testament to friendship between women and witness to the dangerous threat of false, faithless friendship among men. She is mistreated by Powered by WordPress. Set in the later part of the sixteenth century Shakespeare explores symbolism, allegory, and imagery throughout this Claudia–“Emilia: Feminist Wisdom”: Out of the many themes and motifs in Othello , Emilia represents those strong feminist values and ideals of equality. Emilia's super-bitter take on her married life with Iago contrasts with Desdemona's (temporarily) idealistic marriage to Othello. [A4S3], ‘But i do think it is their husbands faultsIf wives do fall. Emilia dies for standing up for what she believed in and for justice and she paid the ultimate sacrifice. ‘I will chop her into messes! I think it is. Describe the Character of Emilia? Unlike many of Shakespeare’s characters, she needs little translation to come alive to the 21st-century reader. She follows Iago in wifely duty, but during the play develops a strong loyalty to Desdemona and, at the end, denounces Iago's lies to defend Desdemona's reputation. [A4S3], ‘Who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch’, Emilia- Contrasts Desdemona’s naive idealism with pragmatic assertion. Farewell” – Final words are lying for Othello’s sake to Emilia that she wasn’t killed by him. The character of Emilia develops in almost the exact opposite way. Bianca, Emilia and Roderigo [Bianca] ‘shatters the pleasant illusion that sexual relations will conform to the norm of female subordination and faithfulness’ – Wiltenberg 1992 ‘Emilia is prey to the dominant ideology of wifely virtue.’ – Carole Thomas Neely English Literature- OTHELLO- Black Verse vs Prose, ‘thieves, thieves, thieves! Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!’, Iago-presents Desdemona as an object owned by her father, almost irrelevant in list of stolen objects. Emilia. Detailed quotes explanations with page What is it that they do. Get everything you need to know about Emilia in Othello. Start studying Othello A-Level English Literature Quotes From Critics. [A1S1], ‘the old black ram is tupping your white ewe!’, Iago-Desdemona is seen as property ‘your’ but also sexualised, her choice to be with Othello is seen as a violation. EMILIA is the feminist voice of the play and wife to the most abominable man ever. Feminist Role of Emilia Othello is often argued to be one of William Shakespeare’s most heart wrenching tragedies. A patriarchal perspective on women Women as possessions A strong voice crushed Submission and strength Emilia – finding her voice A declaration of autonomy Female solidarity Bianca – a woman abused Reflecting the culture in which Othello was written, none of the three female characters is ultimately treated as an equal by the men. In this way, Iago taps into social anxieties to further cast doubt into Othello, Othello as an outsider to Venice presumably unaware of Venetian women. Shakespeare, you are too awesome. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. In the final scene of the play, Emilia stands up for Desdemona against the powerful Othello, knowing that this confrontation could end her life: ‘Thou has not half the power to do me harm As I … Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca are the only three women in the play. Othello. Her stupidity in this matter is gross, but it is stupidity and nothing worse Although she had betrayed Desdemona for the attention of her husband, she later unmasks Iago with her honesty. Emilia dies a true feminist. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other, Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom. The best quotes from Othello by William Shakespeare - organized by theme, including book location and character - with an explanation to help you understand! PDF downloads of all 1386 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!’. The Willow Scene Act 4 Scene 3 – Key Scene In this scene, Emilia helps Desdemona get ready for bed. Eileen Atkins speaks Emilia’s lines from Othello, act IV scene 3. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Desdemona has never even thought of engaging sexually with anyone other than Othello, but at some point in the play Emilia admits that she would be unfaithful to Iago in the right circumstances. as men have? You are pictures out of door, bells in your parlours; wildcats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries; devils being offended, players in your housewifery, and hussies in your beds.” (II.2.113-115) Othello- Gender Quotes. Shakespeare may offer an indictment of this socially entrenched notion of masculinity, that Othello would fly into such a rage when there is no real proof. I think it doth. Desdemona is much more naïve to her ideas of life and marriage … Focusing closely on the Designed by GonThemes. Right … That's strange. She starts off as doggedly loyal and faithful to her evil husband, Iago. Emilia's one dishonest act towards Desdemona—stealing her special handkerchief—turns out to have devastating consequences. Desdemona in Act 4 Scene 3 Then let them use us well, else let them know, The ills we do, their ills instruct us so" (Act IV, Scene III, Lines 83-. Emilia also shows courage and self-assurance in chastising Othello for doubting his wife’s virtue, scolding him “If you think other / Remove your thought” (4.2.). A Feminist Analysis of Othello In William Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello there are numerous instances of obvious sexism aimed at the three women in the drama -- Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca – and aimed at womankind When they change us for others? And have not we affections? [A3S3], ‘I know our country disposition well;In Venice they do let God see the pranks’, Iago- Contextual, ties into Elizabethan/Jacobean belief in the looseness of Venetian women, known for lax social attitudes and infamous for its courtesans. Also, Iago's unproven belief that Emilia cheated on him with Othello, leading to his hate towards the soldier, leaves Emilia suffering as the victim. 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