Desdemona and Emilia in Othello

What differences are there between Desdemona and Emilia?

One of the main differences between Desdemona and Emilia is how they act in relationships. Emilia says that she would cheat on her husband for the world however Desdemona said that she wouldn't dream of cheating on Othello and can not see how women can do it. Emilia says that lots of women do it and it is often the husbands fault as their behaviour makes the women want to cheat. Desdemona can still not see this and says that she loves everything about Othello even his angry temper.


Why do you think Emilia does not mention the handkerchief to Desdemona? Use what you hear in the video, as well as your own ideas. Consider the relationship between Iago and Emilia, as well as the relationship between Desdemona and Emilia.

I think Emilia doesn't tell Desdemona about the handkerchief because that will put their friendship at risk. In the clip/play this scene brings the two women closer together and it is almost like a mother and daughter relationship as Emilia is a lot older than Desdemona. Emilia wants to please Iago so much and by spoiling his plans with the handkerchief this will also ruin their relationship and will cause Iago to be angry at Emilia.As well as this, if Emilia comes clean about the handkerchief she will link herself to other events that have happened.

“Desdemona is presented in the play as a sexual subject who hears and desires, and that desire is punished because the non-specular or non-phallic sexuality it displays is frightening and dangerous.”Karen Newman: Femininity and the monstrous in Othello.
To what extent do you agree with this view? Discuss and write down your ideas - post to your blog. Be ready to feedback.

In the play Desdemona is presented as a young and attractive woman who acts as a sexual object for the men of the play. Her desires are punished as they are often frightening and dangerous, however this is not always the case as Desdemona means well and wouldn't mean to cause a dangerous situation through her desires, she just wants what is best for her and Othello. Although Desdemona is seen as a sex symbol in the play, her desires tend to be non-phallic apart from the time when she asks Emilia to put her wedding bed sheet son, suggesting she was going to have sex. 

Othello and Iago

According to Adrian Lester, how long has Othello been fighting for?
Since the age of 7


According to Adrian Lester, Othello is not born into a 'sense of nobility', like those around him. How does Adrian Lester say this impacts the character?
He is very aware of how he appears in front of the venetians and his appearance is very important to him.


 What increases Othello's status in Venice?
 He has married the only child of the senator and he is set to inherit a good position.


 Why does Rory Kinnear say Iago is disgruntled with Othello?
 Because he doesnt get the promotion and instead Cassio, a younger better looking man gets it.


What do Othello and Iago have in common, according to Rory Kinnear?
They have been to war together and worked as a team together.


Around 4.20, Rory Kinnear lists some of the ways Iago aims to bring down Othello and Cassio. What are they?
subterfuge
insinuation 
getting people on side   

Act 4 scene 2

1. What does Othello ask Emilia at the beginning of the scene, and how does Emilia respond?

Othello asks Emilia whether Desdemona has been having an affair, ‘yes, you have seen Cassio and she together.’ Emilia tells him that she has not seen them together and reacts by saying ‘but then I saw no harm, and then I heard each syllable that breath made up between them.’ Emilia constantly says ‘never’ as she knows that nothing is happening as she is with Desdemona at all times so can not see how this could happen. she doesn't think Desdemona could betray Othello as she is madly in love with him. Emilia tells Othello how much Desdemona has for him and tries to reassure him.

2.   What does Othello say to Desdemona and how does Desdemona respond? Is Othello treating   Desdemona fairly?

Othello calls Desdemona a ‘subtle whore.’ But Desdemona doesn't respond as she is so naive, therefore she has no idea what is going on. This then means that she does not know why her husband is saying these horrible words about her. From an audiences perspective we would say that Desdemona is being treated unfairly as we know that Iago is making things up about Desdemona’s affair. Therefore she is being treated badly by her husband as he has been made to believe that it is true. But from Othello’s view she is being treated fairly and she is getting what she deserves as he believes that she is having an affair with Cassio. Therefore he believes that she is in the wrong. 

3. When Desdemona and Emilia tell Iago about Othello’s behaviour, how does Iago respond? What does Iago say he thinks is the cause of Othello’s anger? What does Emilia think is the cause?

Iago responds to the situation of Othello’s behaviour in panic, as he has realised that they are going to be able to work out that it is him that has set the plot up about Desdemona’s affair with Cassio. Therefore he is worried that he is going to get caught out and this will make Othello very angry. He blames Othellos cause of anger on ‘the business of the state does him offence, and he does chide with you.’ This means that the letter that Othello was given has angered him and he has a bad day at work, therefore this is Iagos excuse to get himself out of trouble. But Emilia says ‘ I will be hung’d if some eternal villain, some busy and insinuating rogue, some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, have not devis’d this slander: ill be hung’d else.’ This suggests that Emilia has realised that someone has lied to Othello as she is inquisitive enough to work this out. Although if she did know it was Iago she would not be able to have the power to stand up and speak out about it as she is female.

4. Why is Roderigo angry and how does he threaten Iago? In response, what does Iago say Roderigo must do and why? According to Iago, what will be Roderigo’s reward if he follows Iago’s advice?

Roderigo is angry at Iago as at the start of the play Iago said that he was going to give the jewels to Desdemona but he did not do this which caused Roderigo to be very annoyed at him. Another reason why Roderigo is angry at Iago as at the start of the play Iago promised that Roderigo would get Desdemona but has not completed his one job that he was supposed to do. Therefore he tells Roderigo that Othello and Desedemona are leaving and the only way to get them to stay is killing Cassio, ‘non can be so determinate as the removing of Cassio.’ Therefore Roderigo is not very happy with this so he threatens Iago by saying ‘I will seek satisfaction of you.’ This means that he wants to beat him up as he is very annoyed at Iago. Iago tries to calm Roderigo down by saying he can kill him if him and Desdemona do not have sex.