Emilia

Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant in the play Othello by William Shakespeare. Emilia has an important role in the play, as she is the one who reveals Iago’s betrayal to Othello.

At first, Emilia seems to be an obedient wife, who does what Iago asks her. When Iago wants her to bring him the handkerchief Othello has given to Desdemona, Emilia does so without thinking that she is doing something wrong. She does not even want to know what Iago intends to do with the handkerchief. All that matters to Emilia at this point is to please her husband: “What he will do with it/ Heaven knows, not I./ I nothing but to please his fantasy.” (3.3.341-343).

Emilia, however, is also loyal to Desdemona. She defends her mistress to the very end. She firmly tell...