DESDEMONA. The whole scene is an exchange of thoughts and feelings between Desdemona and Iago’s wife, Emilia, regarding the act of infidelity. How is the conversation about jealousy between Emilia and Desdemona ironic? “(Marsh, 1998) Desdemona’s conversation with Brabantio suggests that she is a strong woman. She does not shy away from her fear and bids for Othello to do the sensible thing and ask Cassio how he obtained her handkerchief. They see, and smell, and have their palates both for sweet and sour, as husbands have. 0 votes. Emilia Desdemona Relationship In the play “Othello”, by William Shakespeare, there are two major feminine figures that attract our attention. Iago tries to blame the fight on who? What dramatic function does the conversation between Montano and the 2 gentlemen serve? Ed. Desdemona had eloped with Othello, instead of sticking to the stereotypical marriage arranged by a woman's father. Emilia’s actions on stage, however, might suggest nonchalance, or that she rises above her husband’s gross humour. This leads Emilia into a bit of a rant. Emilia responds that she would be able to betray her husband. She says you could justify cheating in lots of different ways. Pray heaven it be state-matters, as you think, And no conception nor no jealous toy. Desdemona asks Emilia if Emilia believes that there are women who are unfaithful to their husbands. What has just happened? Asked by Budova E #970025 on 3/26/2020 2:49 PM Last updated by Aslan on 3/27/2020 3:51 AM Answers 1 Add Yours. Iago’s attitude towards his wife is proprietorial and controlling. Emilia … As the story developed, she desperately tried to detach herself from her more scandalous decision in the past, by being overly faithful to Othello in letting him question her and her intentions with Cassio. “Desdemona‘s language is as absolute as possible: we notice ‘ever’ and ‘never’ in her declaration of love. Is it sport?”(IV.3.360-1). Emilia becomes a parallel to Desdemona, as another woman killed by her husband for insisting on a truth that he did not want to hear. Desdemona; the innocent wife, Bianca; the courtesan and Emilia; Desdemona’s attendant and Iago’s wife. However, as the scene progresses, Desdemona takes control of the conversation, having Iago invent praises while she and Emilia criticise them. Her dying words affirm her innocence and she insists that Othello is not to blame. She states that she would never be unfaithful even if it was to save the world (1020). Desdemona is a romantic who has married for love and values loyalty absolutely. Strangled by Othello. Emilia sympathises with Cassio’s plight and is confident that he will be restored. There is an acute sadness to Desdemona’s declaration of fidelity between herself and her husband, Othello, as the whole scene is foreshadowed by the tragic events that are to happen in Act 5 Scene 2. What information does Iago use to spark Roderigo's interest in his plan to discredit Cassio? asked Mar 14, 2017 in Language Arts & World Languages by Cyclops. In the scene, Emilia articulates the reasons why she might betray/cheat her husband. Cassio asks the clown to fetch Emilia to see him, but Iago arrives and promises not only to send Emilia to him but also to devise it so that Cassio can have some private conversation with Desdemona. She too offers to arrange an opportunity for him to talk privately to Desdemona. 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. Explain the significance of the handkerchief to Othello. Emilia’s relationship with Iago is a chilling example of marital disharmony. Othello and Emilia argue about Desdemona until she reveals he has been deceived by her husband, Iago. I never gave him cause. What does the conversation between Emilia and Desdemona (Scene iii) tellus about the nature of each? Emilia is an interesting character. Desdemona says that “O, these men, these men! What will be an ideal response? However, by the end of the play, she shows herself to be brave and heroic, an act that costs her her life. Desdemona’s downfall began when her husband stopped trusting her. The conversation between Desdemona (Othello’s wife) and Emilia (Iago’s wife) occurs after their relationship starts to deteriorate based on Iago’s manipulations. ACT III.iv. Emilia has already been accused of cheating on her husband and moved on. However, Othello is in too emotional a state to listen, and he has already ordered the lieutenant's murder. Marriage has made Emilia cynical about male–female relationships; she knows she is merely 'food' (III.4.105) for Iago, acceptable until she disobeys him and refuses to be silent, at which point she is dismissed as a 'Villainous whore' (V.2.227). However, while Desdemona’s death reflects the murder of an innocent victim, Emilia dies seeking atonement for her participation in Iago’s crimes. In Act 1, Scene 3, Desdemona shows true courage by standing up against her father, Brabantio in oppose to the marriage for Othello. As she is definite in her language, using short sentences at the end of her speeches and has a direct purpose in what she says. Now Desdemona asks Emilia’s opinion on marital abuse and deceit, and Emilia starts to show a darker side to her character. Desdemona's banter with Iago and Emilia at their arrival in Cyprus (2.1.100ff) has been traditionally regarded as distasteful and cut on moral and artistic grounds, being deemed unworthy of a noble tragedy such as Othello and out of character for Desdemona. Desdemona revives temporarily and Emilia hears her cries. Enter Othello, Lodovico, Desdemona, and Emilia: The state dinner is over, and Othello -- followed by Desdemona and Emilia -- is walking with Lodovico, who says, "I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further" (4.3.1), but Othello says that it will do him good to walk some more.Apparently they are just outside of Othello's quarters, so Lodovico bids Desdemona good night. convinced of the fact that Desdemona is having an affair as a result of Iago’s manipulative antics, Othello proceeds to bombard Emilia with questions in an attempt to force her to admit that she possesses knowledge of said affair. Desdemona is confident, or at least hopeful, that her husband is not jealous, while Emilia suspects that all men are jealous. She asks Emilia if she would be unfaithful if it would mean that her husband could have the world. She admits that she does in fact love Othello and wants to be with him. To use it against Cassio or Othello. Emilia's love for Desdemona is perhaps the purest of her feelings. Emilia's practicality comes forth when she makes the point that the world "is a great price for a small vice" (1020). Who first puts the pieces together and points the … Previously, in the same scene, Desdemona was ordered … However, Emilia and Desdemona have an interesting conversation when Desdemona, the absolute innocent, asks if any woman would cheat on their husband for the whole world. Shakespeare Examinations. Alas the day! One is the wife of the play’s tragic hero-Othello; the other is betrothed to one of the greatest villains of all time-Iago. There conversation is ironic because Desdemona claims that Othello holds no traits such as jealous when, in reality, Othello at the very moment has succumb to jealousy. She knows that men cheat and thinks it but a little vice to sooth a woman's soul in a world stacked up against them, "The world's a huge thing: it is a great price. She can't imagine cheating on her husband even if he deserved it, "No, by this heavenly light!" Desdemona and Emilia. How does Desdemona die? Begot upon itself, born on itself. Emilia has a practical intelligence and assesses each situation to decide which is the best course of action. Desdemona asks whether Emilia would ever cheat on Iago, and Emilia, much older and more cynical, tells her that plenty of women cheat. Whatever love is left is felt by Emilia, who tries to please Iago by giving him the handkerchief. In the opening conversation between Othello and Emilia, Othello incessantly questions Emilia about any and all interaction between Cassio and Desdemona. Back to the Othello Examination Questions main page. Her innocence is highlighted against Othello's unfair accusations. For all of this scene the main focus has been on Desdemona.She has led the conversation into dark and melancholy areas, with Emilia attempting to calm her and keep things normal. Desdemona and Emilia continue to have a lengthy conversation about whether they would cheat on their husbands and why women would cheat on their husbands in general. The bond, then, between lago and Emilia is the bond of evil, in the one case instinctive, in the other acquired. They are part and parcel of what goes on in the play and eventually how the crisis of the play is resolved. Desdemona and Emilia are both loyal wives who would do anything to please their husbands the best they can. The downfalls in Emilia’s marriage is the way in which she allowed herself to be treated. Desdemona is in love with him. Roderigo . As Emilia prepares her for bed, Desdemona says that she loves her husband in spite of his sudden rage, but she also makes an eerie reference to dying young. “My noble father, I do perceive a divided duty. The loss of the handkerchief is what convinces Othello that Desdemona is guilty of infidelity, and Emilia's little theft ends up causing her friend's death (at least in part). Emilia and Desdemona make a clear contrast in their approach to marriage and fidelity. But she redeems herself, or at least gives a good shot at trying. Discuss the conversation between Emilia and Desdemona about jealousy and men and what this reveals about Emilia's character. Answered by Aslan on 3/27/2020 3:51 AM Othello is acting paranoid and crazy over the handkerchief. At the beginning of the play she seems either complicate or naive to her husband’s plot to ruin Othello. Desdemona admits that … creative-writing; 0 Answers. The interview between Othello and Desdemona begins stiffly and formally: "Well, my good lady" (30), and she, taking her cue from him, answers formally. This tenacity of Desdemona is partly what serves as her downfall; … The conversation emphasizes Desdemona's virtue and loyalty. Of what do the two women speak? Roderigo is killed, Cassio is seriously injured. This proves that she is loyal for Othello because she does have a strong … Why does Iago carefully observe the way Cassio greets Desdemona? Desdemona combines rationality and tenacity in her final conversation with Othello. The fault in men. Desdemona proves herself to be faithful when she says, “Beshrew me if I did such a wrong for the whole world” (4.3.81). For instance, in act 4 scene 3, Desdemona and Emilia are having a conversation when Emilia says, “Let husbands know their wives have sense like them. In Desdemona and Emilia’s conversation, what does Emilia say causes women to cheat on their husbands? He sounds intensely jealous. Emilia's one dishonest act towards Desdemona—stealing her special handkerchief—turns out to have devastating consequences. Explain the purpose of the final conversation between Emilia and Desdemona. Iago is suspicious that Othello has cuckolded him, and dislikes the courtesy Cassio shows Emilia when she first arrives in Cyprus. Emilia calls for help and when Montano and Gratiano arrive with Iago, she accuses Othello of murdering Desdemona and Iago of being a liar. Shows imagery and what is going on in the story. For a small vice." She has suffered for some time from the emotional neglect and public scorn of husband … What is it that they do when they change us for others? EMILIA. The two women have very different opinions on the subject. Concerning you. In Desdemona´s character EMILIA. answered Mar 14, 2017 by Mr305 . Since the beginning of the play, she knew that she wasn’t getting treated properly by her husband,nonetheless she stayed with him. Desdemona declares again that she can't believe there's a single woman in the world who would cheat on her husband. Emila is much more world weary and realistic about love. Desdemona has a more romantic if not naive outlook on love. 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