A full, in-depth A* essay plan exploring the relationship between Emilia and Desdemona in Shakespeare's "Othello", for the Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature.
emilia and desdemona
Introduction
o Within critical reception Wheale – challenging to interpret due to variation between
quarto and folio (quarto published first but folio includes willow scene and includes
subtle differences in speech which change our critical interpretation)
o Emilia is often seen as a dramatic foil to Desdemona (emphasising her purity and
Emilia’s controversy)
Deep relationship –
o Arguable that they have a deeper relationship than we may first imagine. One of
Emilia’s last requests was to “lay me by my mistress’s side” – burial next to someone
else is traditionally romantic, reserved for husband and wife. Shows eternal devotion
to each-other
o Both sing Willow – united in their emotional state (only included in folio, not quarto,
making her critical interpretation challenging)
o Women should be loyal to husbands (seen through Desdemona) but Emilia dedicates
her last words to Desdemona instead “she was chaste”
Dramatic foils to each-other – Saunders “polarise Desdemona and Emilia”
1) Attitudes to men
o Emilia blames men for women’s sin “it is their husbands’ faults if wives do fall” but
Desdemona doesn’t “think there is any such woman” who could commit adultery
o Despite Desdemona’s loyalty and Emilia’s defiance, both die as a result of toxic
masculinity (Shakespeare presents futility of female defiance); despite these
characters being polar opposites, they remain women, hence fundamentally
submissive to men
2) Last words
o Desdemona’s are self-denigrating and false “I, myself” – shows loyalty and reinforces
wedding vows where woman have to “honour and obey” husbands (willing to sacrifice
soul for Othello) but Emilia tells truth. Desdemona is headstrong
o Last words also link to Bible (I am = ego eimi = I, myself) showing her purity in
comparison to Emilia’s husband, “I am not what I am”
o Highly ironic that the supposed wife of the devil is going to heaven for telling the
truth on her death bed whereas a figure of innocence is going to hell for lying
3) Desdemona used to highlight Emilia’s defiance
o Desdemona often associated with purity (strawberries on handkerchief link her to
Virgin Mary) and is soft-spoken, submissive, willing to submit to men (“I do perceive
here a divided duty”) a whereas Emilia, although presented as fearsome and weak in
Giraldi, emerges as defiant and controversial: Iago accuses Desdemona of being
untruthful so E replies “you have little cause to say so”, resisting patriarchy instead
(possible appeal to temperament of Elizabeth I – “physically frail but strong in spirit” –
Worrall)
Conclusion
o Shakespeare “polarises Desdemona and Emilia” (Saunders) – dramatic foils to
highlight each-other’s characteristics (E encourages D’s innocence, D encourages E’s
defiance)
o Strong, deep relationship – only true, pure and positive friendship throughout play
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