Othello Group

Question:

lostneedhelp
lostneedhelp
Student
College - Sophomore

How Desdemona and Emilia are depicted in Othello?

This means comparing their own words and deeds with the things they are accused of doing and saying.

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Posted by lostneedhelp on Wednesday November 19, 2008 at 11:23 PM and tagged with characters, desdemona, emilia, othello.

Answers:


  1. danylyshen Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Desdomona is as pure and as white as the similies Shakespeare uses to describe her. Desdemona is always faithful to her current "lord," but we also must remember that she DID deceive Brabantio in secretly marrying the Moor. Desdemona does everything she says she will. She agrees to further Cassio's case at his urging and continues to do so even when Othello begins to get angry with the pestering issue. Emilia, on the other hand, says one thing and does another. When Desdemona is frantically looking for the gifted handkercheif Emila could have saved her mistress, but instead remained silent in the knowledge she found the scarf and gave it to Iago for her own advancement in his favors. It is not until the end of the play that Emila wises up to her heartless husband's plots. I hope this helps. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/othello/
    http://www.enotes.com/othello/desdemona-character-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/othello/emilia-character-analysis

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    Posted by danylyshen on Wednesday November 26, 2008 at 10:09 PM