Emilia Flashcards
(14 cards)
“And she speaks for you stoutly; the Moor replies”
Act 3 scene 1
-Defending Cassio; succumbing to Iago’s plan
-His expectation for her to do what he says as his wife
-Mirroring Iago’s language
“They are all but stomachs, and we are all but food”
Act 3 scene 4
-Women are to be exploited by men
-Women are Iago’s pawn
-Women are objects for men to thrive and feed off
Othello: “What, did they ever whisper?”
Emilia: “Never, my lord”
Act 4 scene 2
-Insight into Emilia’s actual self
-Her purity and ability to stick up for her friend, even if it goes against her husband
-Hasn’t conformed to Iago’s villainy
“Hath she forsook so many noble matches, her father, and her country, and her friends”
Act 4 scene 2
-She gave up better matches for him, because Des is pure
-Again, Emilia is sticking up for Des
“There be some such, so question”
Act 4 scene 3
-She is understanding of human flaws
-Blunt in her speech
“Nor I neither, by this heavenly light: I might do it as well in the dark”
Act 4 scene 3
-Light suggests secrecy in the way women have to act as they wish
-Men commit the same sins but condemn women for them
“The world’s a huge thing: it is a great price”
Act 4 scene 3
-Fidelity is negotiable under certain circumstances
-Good things come from being flawed in society
“But I do think it is their husband’s faults”
Act 4 scene 3
-Men’s neglect drives women into being unfaithful
-Blame on men > subverting society’s views
“Why, we have galls…. yet have we sone revenge”
Act 5 scene 1
-Women aren’t passive
-They feel anger like men, even though they’re practically trained not to in society
“O fie upon thee, strumpet!”
Act 5 scene 1
-In private/with women she has her beliefs
-However, in public she lacks autonomy as she feels the need to do what Iago tells her to do
-Even though she has developed as a character, she still feels the need to conform to Iago’s wishes
“O, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil”
Act 5 scene 2
-Admits quickly that he is chaotic
-Religious imagery semantic field
-She is innocent compared to her husband; who is impure and perhaps villainous
“O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love!”
Act 5 scene 2
-Acknowledges Desdemona as a victim
-Shifts some power to women
-She is the first to realise Iago is a villain
Iago: “Go to, charm your tongue”
Emilia: “I will not charm my tongue, I am bound to speak”
Act 5 scene 2
-Uses his own words to mock him
-Views her opinions as rational, rather than enchanted and false like he perceives them to be
-Finally views that women are worthy of a voice
“Ay ay; O lay me by my mistress’ side”
Act 5 scene 2
-Values her friendship with Desdemona over her marriage with Iago
-First time in public she has expressed this feeling
