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Ethos
Foil Mind Map
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Key Examples in Othello
Act 4, scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—Desdemona and Emilia:
Emilia’s cynicism functions as a foil for Desdemona’s naivety, emphasizing Desdemona’s honesty and innocence. Emilia’s worldly experience, perceptiveness, and dark sense of humor form a contrast with Desdemona’s purity. This difference becomes apparent in the following exchange:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Desdemona: Dost thou in conscience think—tell me, Emilia—
That there be women do abuse their husbands
In such gross kind?Emilia: There be some such, no question.
Desdemona: Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?
Emilia: Why, would not you?
Desdemona: No, by this heavenly light!
Emilia: Nor I neither, by this heavenly light.
I might do ’t as well i’ th’ dark.[...]
Desdemona: In troth, I think thou wouldst not.
Emilia: In troth, I think I should
Related Themes:
Act 5, scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Iago and Othello:
Shakespeare sets up Iago and Othello as foils of one another, with Iago’s duplicity and control designed to emphasize Othello’s honest and open nature.
Related Themes:
