Temptation In Othello
Othello
In the world there are many forms of temptation. One form is evil. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare a very strong character plays the role of evil. From the outside looking in, Iago may seem like the good guy with all good intentions but as the play goes on and his plan unravels the evil side appears. Married to Iago, Emilia is faced with many challenges with Iago’s evil side. Starting off innocent and quiet Emilia has to find the courage to take a stand in her own life to save herself and others. Throughout Othello, Iago influences Emilia’s assertiveness by giving her a reason to voice her opinion.
One of the main scenes in the beginning of Othello where Emilia is present is the scene that is best described as the handkerchief …show more content…
scene. Emilia stands by Iago during his plan to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s relationship and fails to express her opinion about the plan. This can be seen in Act 3 Scene 3 in which Emilia explains I am glad I have found this napkin: This was her first remembrance from the Moor. My wayward husband hath a hundred times Wooed me to steal it; but she so loves the token, For he conjured her she should ever keep it, That she reserves it evermore about her To kiss and talk to. I’ll have the work tane out And give’t Iago.
What he will do with it, heaven knows, not I: I nothing but to please his fantasy. (3.3.292-301)
As Emilia talks to herself she reveals that she will give the handkerchief to Iago by saying, “And give’t Iago” (3.3.299). Even though Desdemona is a good friend of Emilia she betrays her trust and goes behind Desdemona’s back to help Iago. By talking rudely about Emilia while she is present Iago kills her self esteem and begins to weaken her assertiveness. When first meeting Emilia, Cassio gives her a friendly welcome kiss. Standing next to Emilia while this happens Iago tells Cassio, “Sir, would she give you so much of her lips/as of her tongue she oft bestows on me/you would have enough” (2.1.100-102). After this statement is made by Iago, Emilia does not react. By not reacting the audience can infer that Emilia lives to please Iago and does not want to upset him by talking back. Emilia is frail with her opinions which shows through her actions in this scene. The pressure put on Emilia to listen and obey her husband in this time period was very strong compared to what women are expected to do now. In this time period men were the ultimate rulers and women were there to listen. This plays a huge role in Emilia’s actions towards Iago and how she let him go through with his plan before she built up the courage to step
in. By paying close attention to Iago, Emilia spots tiny details that lead her to discover Iago’s plan to ruin Othello and Desdemona. While talking to Desdemona about how Othello is treating her, Iago walks in and joins the conversation. With knowledge of Iago plan, Emilia stands up for Desdemona and says I will be hanged if some eternal villain, Some busy and insinuating rogue, Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, Have not devised this slander: I’ll be hanged else. (4.2.129-132)
When Emilia made this comment Iago fought back by saying that “there is no such man. It is impossible” (4.2.133). With Emilia’s growing courage and assertiveness Iago’s comment did not affect her. It is said that evil does not go away but is overcome by the act of love. By facing the truth of the evilness of Iago Emilia grows in her confidence. Emilia begins the play with weak assertiveness towards Iago but with growing knowledge of who Iago really is she begins to become positive about her opinion and assertive with her thoughts.
In the world there are many forms of temptation. One form is evil. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare a very strong character plays the role of evil. From the outside looking in, Iago may seem like the good guy with all good intentions but as the play goes on and his plan unravels the evil side appears. Married to Iago, Emilia is faced with many challenges with Iago’s evil side. Starting off innocent and quiet Emilia has to find the courage to take a stand in her own life to save herself and others. Throughout Othello, Iago influences Emilia’s assertiveness by giving her a reason to voice her opinion.
One of the main scenes in the beginning of Othello where Emilia is present is the scene that is best described as the handkerchief …show more content…
scene. Emilia stands by Iago during his plan to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s relationship and fails to express her opinion about the plan. This can be seen in Act 3 Scene 3 in which Emilia explains I am glad I have found this napkin: This was her first remembrance from the Moor. My wayward husband hath a hundred times Wooed me to steal it; but she so loves the token, For he conjured her she should ever keep it, That she reserves it evermore about her To kiss and talk to. I’ll have the work tane out And give’t Iago.
What he will do with it, heaven knows, not I: I nothing but to please his fantasy. (3.3.292-301)
As Emilia talks to herself she reveals that she will give the handkerchief to Iago by saying, “And give’t Iago” (3.3.299). Even though Desdemona is a good friend of Emilia she betrays her trust and goes behind Desdemona’s back to help Iago. By talking rudely about Emilia while she is present Iago kills her self esteem and begins to weaken her assertiveness. When first meeting Emilia, Cassio gives her a friendly welcome kiss. Standing next to Emilia while this happens Iago tells Cassio, “Sir, would she give you so much of her lips/as of her tongue she oft bestows on me/you would have enough” (2.1.100-102). After this statement is made by Iago, Emilia does not react. By not reacting the audience can infer that Emilia lives to please Iago and does not want to upset him by talking back. Emilia is frail with her opinions which shows through her actions in this scene. The pressure put on Emilia to listen and obey her husband in this time period was very strong compared to what women are expected to do now. In this time period men were the ultimate rulers and women were there to listen. This plays a huge role in Emilia’s actions towards Iago and how she let him go through with his plan before she built up the courage to step
in. By paying close attention to Iago, Emilia spots tiny details that lead her to discover Iago’s plan to ruin Othello and Desdemona. While talking to Desdemona about how Othello is treating her, Iago walks in and joins the conversation. With knowledge of Iago plan, Emilia stands up for Desdemona and says I will be hanged if some eternal villain, Some busy and insinuating rogue, Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, Have not devised this slander: I’ll be hanged else. (4.2.129-132)
When Emilia made this comment Iago fought back by saying that “there is no such man. It is impossible” (4.2.133). With Emilia’s growing courage and assertiveness Iago’s comment did not affect her. It is said that evil does not go away but is overcome by the act of love. By facing the truth of the evilness of Iago Emilia grows in her confidence. Emilia begins the play with weak assertiveness towards Iago but with growing knowledge of who Iago really is she begins to become positive about her opinion and assertive with her thoughts.