The Importance of Emilia in Shakespeares Othello Essay

The Importance of Emilia in Shakespeares Othello In Othello the Moor, Shakespeare combines destiny with a fatal character flaw and that flaw is jealousy. Shakespeares tragedy allows one character to hold the key to the entire web he has spun and that character is Emilia. Emilia is the lone character who garners the knowledge to all circumstances of the events surrounding the characters in Othello the Moor. Although other characters in the play are privy to certain details of the unfolding events, Emilia is the character that uses this knowledge to the benefit of the play. Emilias character is minor yet necessary. Without her character the play would have no means of unraveling the confusion created by the author. Emilia, wife†¦show more content†¦Shakespeares point in Othello the Moor is that each individual has a destiny and fate is central in the lives of his characters. Othello, a great warrior, is the lead character and the target for attack from a disgruntled soldier, Iago. Iago plots with the aide of his wife, Emilia, to plant subtle notions of jealously in the case of Othellos expedient marriage to Desdemona. Othello loves Desdemona and the same is true for Othello, but Iago successfully destroys the trust between the couple with a scheme in which Othello is unable to control his jealousy. There are several other characters that Iago uses to set his plan into motion such as Roderigo, Bianca and Cassio. Cassio is not so much a willing participant in the scheme of the play as he is a scapegoat (or object of irrational hostility; Websters Dictionary, 652) to pin the entire plot on. It is known that Emilias character becomes crucial to the plot, as she is the most essential character to her husbands crusade to destroy Othello and Desdemona. Iago is angered at being passed over in the nomination of first lieutenant by Cassio; along with Roderigo both are resolved to overthrow Othello. Emilia eventually is privy to the most intimate details of their plans. 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