Othello

Othello

In the tragic play Othello, William Shakespeare deals with a wide variety of social issues, which he articulately presents as his major themes. One of these themes is respect and the lack of it. In the play, Shakespeare explores the respect characters have for each other, as well as the lack of disrespect in certain instances, all while building on the implications of each. Shakespeare manages to posit that respect between two people is essential in cultivating healthy and long-lasting relationships. At the same time, the lack of it presents a challenge, and could as well be the source of confusion and resentment between tow individuals, and rub off to those around them. Shakespeare explores the different facets of the relationship between Emilia and Desdemona and impounds on the effects of the positive attribute of this relationship, as well as the negative implications. Emilia treats Desdemona with respect through her loyalty and stands by her at all times while always defending her name, although, at some point, she disrespects Desdemona by stealing from her, thus affecting Desdemona’s relationship with Othello.

Although Emilia and Desdemona’s relationships start on a wrong foot, mainly because Emilia knows she is in Desdemona’s service for Iago’s ulterior motives, she soon develops a healthy relationship with Desdemona and becomes respectful. Her level of respect for Desdemona is seen in the way she not only defends her when she is accused of cheating but also in the manner she interacts with Desdemona on a typical day. The two ladies talk about their place in society as women, their responsibilities to their husbands, and other matters that show Emilia’s wisdom. Although Desdemona is younger compared to Emilia, Emilia treats her like a small sister and chooses to guide her on the way of life and how to navigate the challenges in her marriage with Othello. The respect governs this level of closeness Emilia has for Desdemona.

Emilia not only respects Desdemona because she is her mistress, and so the respect is required of her service, but Emilia’s respect comes from a place of love and concern. As she gets to know Desdemona better, she realizes that although Desdemona is more privileged financially, she still suffers the same marital challenges as Emilia. Both ladies are married to chauvinistic men who only treat them as ordinary people when they need a favor or the other. Iago, Emilia’s husband, and Othello, Desdemona’s husband, are in many ways similar, although they are sworn enemies. They share the same ideologies about the institution of marriage and masculinity and have no respect for their wives or other females. Initially, Emilia is jealous of Desdemona’s seemingly happy marriage, although when the bubble bursts, she realizes as women, they face the same societal issues. This connection forms the basis of their friendship and cultivates Emilia’s respect for Desdemona.

“They are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they are jealous” (act 3). Here Emilia shows her support and understanding of Desdemona’s situation after Othello accuses her of cheating. She shows Desdemona that it will take time for Othello to trust her again, and tells her she should not be worried because it is not her fault, but rather the nature of all men. “If any wretch have put this in your head, Let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse” (Act 4). Emilia defends Desdemona’s honor to Othello by cursing whoever has lied to Othello that Desdemona cheated on him. Although she does not know it is her husband who is behind everything, Emilia stands by Desdemona, defending her against Othello’s claims, thus putting her job on the line.

Emilia is not only Lago’s wife, but she is also Desdemona’s maid. Being the wife of Lago, Othello’s sworn enemy, Emilia is caught between doing what is right for young Desdemona and helping her husband in his wicked plot against Othello. Initially, Emilia comes into Othello’s household and disguises herself as Desdemona’s maid so that she can spy on Othello for Lago, and cause havoc in the house while at it. Her loyalty to her husband leads her to steal a handkerchief from the household, and in her lack of respect for Desdemona denies having seen the scarf. This little incident causes havoc in the house as Othello accuses Desdemona of being unfaithful and a liar, thus takes away his trust from her.

By helping Lago in the plot against Othello by stealing the handkerchief, Emilia betrays the trust and respect that she had built with Desdemona. Although she knows that she has a duty of protecting his mistress from any harm, Emilia plays along with the evil plot by giving Desdemona’s handkerchief to Lago, who then makes a copy of it and plants it in Cassio’s quarters. It is sad to observe how the lady Desdemona had grown to love, respect, and admire lets her down when she needs her the most. Had Emilia refused to give in to Lago’s plan, she would have saved her mistress from being accused of infidelity, and the shame that comes with such an act. Moreover, she would have played an integral part in uncovering Lago’s plan to take down Othello, although she would not have been able to save her husband from Othello’s equally evil plot.

Emilia acknowledges her duties as a wife, although she knows she will harm Desdemona in the process. “They are all but stomachs, and we all but food” (Act 3). In her conversation with Desdemona, Emilia shows remorse for being used by her husband. However, she resides herself to the fact that it is what is expected of her, even though it means betraying Desdemona’s trust and respect. “What he will do with it, heaven knows, not I” (Act 3). In this scene, Emilia picks up the handkerchief as requested by Iago, and admits her moral responsibility for betraying her mistress in this manner. She knows that Iago wants to do something evil, and prefers not to know the details of the act since she feels bad enough. Although Emilia might not know precisely what her husband has planned for Desdemona, this quote proves that she knows it is something terrible, yet she still hands him the handkerchief anyways.

In conclusion, Shakespeare manages to explore the tow sides of Emilia and Desdemona’s relationship by examining the effect of Emilia’s loyalty to Desdemona versus when she acts in disrespect of her mistress. In the first instance, Emilia’s respect for Desdemona is influenced by the things they have in common, such as the challenges they face as women in the male-dominated world. She becomes the big sister Desdemona never had and fights to defend her mistress’s owner. However, by stealing the handkerchief to help her husband Iago in his fight against Othello, Emilia puts her relationship with Desdemona on the line by betraying her trust and confidence. Although her intuition about her action was wrong, and she could feel that Iago was using her for something sinister, Emilia went ahead and stole the handkerchief from her mistress, aiding to solidify the infidelity allegations against Desdemona.