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.