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.

 

Extract question

Othello Act 3 scene 3

For what two reasons does Desdemona agree to plead Cassio's case?

Desdemona agrees to help Cassio by talking to Othello in order to try and get Casio his job back; she does this because she knows that Cassio and Othello have a strong bond. This is demonstrated in act 3 scene 3 line 10, when Desdemona says to Cassio ‘You do love my lord’. Cassio however feels that Othello will forget everything that Cassio has done for him and only focus on the bad events that have happened. Desdemona reassures Cassio that she won’t let that happen and she shall keep nagging on at him until he gives in. Desdemona says that ‘For thy solicitor shall rather die //Than give thy cause away’. She feels very strongly about this.

What is Iago referring to when he says, "Ha! I like not that."?

 Cassio is referring to Desdemona and Cassio being together. He is saying he doesn’t like it to plant the idea in Othello’s head that there is something that he should be wary of between the twi characters. By saying this, Iago is coming across to Othello like he cares and only wants what is best for Othello.

After Othello repeatedly urges Iago to tell him what's on his mind, Iago says "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;/It is the green eyed monster, which doth mock / The meat it feeds on." What is Othello's response? What does he want from Iago?

After Iago tells Othello not to be jealous, Othello responds with ‘O misery!’  This is telling us that Iago has succeeded and has made Othello fall out of love with Desdemona by my making him think that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him and no longer loves him. This shows how much influence Iago has over Othello as he can make him change his mind in a matter of minutes. Othello wants Iago to be honest with him and tell him his thought however Iago can use this to his advantage.

What does Iago say about the women of Venice?

Iago says that women of Venice ‘do let God see the pranks/They dare not show their husbands’  Iago is saying that women do not show their husbands the mischief that they get up to. In this case Iago is referring to Desdemona and Cassio.

What contextual evidence do we have to support Iago's views of Venetian women?

In Shakespearian times women were expected to be seen and not heard. They would be seen as property of the husband and would obey to their orders therefor they would hide their antics in order to stay respectful.

Why might this cause Othello to believe this or, at least, not dismiss it immediately?

Because Desdemona will be doing it behind his back as she has to look respectful in front of other people and would like to withhold her reputation. Therefore she would not do it openly as not only would she get caught but it would impact how other people viewed her.

Act one Scene three 45-225