Emilia in William Shakespeare's Othello Essay Sample

In the 16th century women were seen as a possession. There are many plays and books that portrayed women in that way as well. The play Othello by Shakespeare is just one of many plays that have shown this. This play didn’t have many women in it but the ones who were a part  of the play showed just how they were treated while being a woman in this town. A character that stood out in the play is Emilia. Which can be seen as a possession but throughout the play she grows to be her own person and be able to speak up for herself. She has such a big character development from the beginning to the end of the play. 

Unequal and obedient. Emilia can be described as these key words. It had to be for her husband for the way she acted. The beginning of the play you can see Emilia really step into that role of just being in command of what her husband orders her to do. She shows the weak side of women that is portrayed and we’re the norm before. Her husband is shown to be the villain in the story but she is pretty naive to that at first and simply does what he asks. Because of this,  she doesn’t think twice when Iago asks her to steal the handkerchief. This shows a very big significance in the story. She just simply “(picks up the handkerchief )

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..” (3.3.299-308). She put her marriage over her friendship which many women of this time would do. She believed her husband had her best interest at heart and knew that her husband needed the handkerchief and didn’t question it because that’s all she knew was to be obedient and don’t ask questions.

Outspoken and Confident.  This Was exactly what Emilia was able to accomplish at the end of the play. She has shown lots of character development through all of the situations and issues that have occurred.. This was very important because it showed that she was able to step into her higher power and set things straight even if her husband was gonna get into trouble. She decides to finally let out and tell Othello that “O thou dull Moor! 

That handkerchief thou speak’st of I found by fortune and did give my husband. 

For often, with a solemn earnestness—

More than indeed belonged to such a trifle—

He begged of me to steal it.” (5.2.238-241). Women of this time period usually don’t do this, even if their husband is doing something wrong they stick by their side regardless. It was known as the basic standard. This just goes to show that Emilia was a very different woman of this time period showcasing how women should’ve stepped up to men in general. 

Overall, Emilia is a great example of how much of a black sheep she was during this time period. Women weren’t able to do much as their jobs would be to be housewives that cared and devoted their lives to their husbands. Even though she may have done this at the beginning of the play we were able to see Emilia really become that confident woman. She has set an example for other women to become independent of themselves.