Iago's wife and Desdemona's friend and serving woman. Although Emilia is far less idealistic about marriage and the world in general than Desdemona is, she is loyal to her mistress. Though she steals Desdemona's handkerchief for Iago, she doesn't know else anything about Iago's plot. In fact, when she learns of his plot, she reveals Iago's duplicity, and he kills her for it.
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Emilia Character Timeline in Othello
The timeline below shows where the character Emilia appears in Othello. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 2, scene 1
The Venetian ship carrying Desdemona, Iago, Emilia (Iago's wife), and Roderigo is the next to arrive. As soon as they arrive, Desdemona...
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...wants to sleep with her because he wants revenge on Othello for possibly sleeping with Emilia. If he's unable to sleep with Desdemona, though, he reasons, at least the confrontation he's...
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Act 3, scene 1
Cassio gives the clown a gold piece, and asks the clown to bring Emilia to him so that he may speak with her. The clown exits and Iago enters....
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Emilia enters, and tells Cassio that Othello and Desdemona have been talking about his situation. Desdemona...
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Act 3, scene 3
Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia enter. Desdemona assures Cassio that she will help him regain his position. Just then, Othello...
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...Othello to trust only what he sees, not Iago's suspicions. Othello tells Iago to have Emilia watch Desdemona, and Iago tells Othello to watch how Desdemona acts regarding Cassio.
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Desdemona and Emilia enter to tell Othello it is time for dinner. Desdemona tries to soothe him with...
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Iago enters. To his delight, Emilia shows him the handkerchief. He grabs it from her hand. She asks for it back...
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...once gave Desdemona a handkerchief with strawberries embroidered on it (this is the kerchief that Emilia earlier picked up). When Othello says yes, Iago sadly informs him that earlier that day...
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Act 3, scene 4
When the clown exits, Desdemona wonders what has happened to her handkerchief. Emilia, who is also present, says she doesn't know.
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...she tries to change the subject back to Cassio's suit. This enrages Othello, who exits. Emilia wonders if Othello is jealous, then comments on how fickle men are towards women.
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Desdemona surmises that Othello's bad temper must arise from some affair of state. Emilia wonders again whether it might be jealousy. When Desdemona says he can't be jealous, since...
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Act 4, scene 2
Othello questions Emilia, who insists that nothing has happened between Desdemona and Cassio. He orders her to go...
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Emilia returns with Desdemona. Othello sends Emilia outside to guard the door. Othello than says he...
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Desdemona asks Emilia to fetch Iago, whom Desdemona then questions about Othello's behavior. Emilia thinks that it must...
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Act 4, scene 3
...a walk. Before leaving, he orders Desdemona to go directly to bed and to dismiss Emilia. Emilia helps Desdemona prepare for bed. As they discuss Othello, Emilia says that she wishes...
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Desdemona then asks Emilia whether she would commit adultery. Emilia responds that woman are just like men, and will...
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Act 5, scene 1
Cassio is carried offstage and Emilia enters. When Iago explains what has happened, Emilia curses Bianca. Bianca responds by saying that...
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Act 5, scene 2
Emilia calls from the doorway. Othello mistakes her calls as noises made by Desdemona, and smothers...
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Finally, Othello realizes that it is Emilia who is calling. He draws the curtains back around the bed to hide Desdemona's body....
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Emilia opens the curtains and to her horror sees Desdemona, who with her dying breaths says...
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Though Emilia does not appear to suspect him, Othello voluntarily (and almost proudly) admits that he killed...
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Emilia is dumbfounded as she digests this information, but recovers herself enough to say that Iago...
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Meanwhile, despite Iago's demands that she obey him and be quiet, Emilia begins to piece together what happened. Othello insists again that Desdemona was unfaithful and brings...
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...to him, Othello attacks Iago, but is disarmed by Montano. In the uproar, Iago stabs Emilia and flees. Montano chases after Iago while Gratiano stays to guard the door. Othello is...
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