Emilia in Othello

Emilia is an intelligent, cynical and witty character who is unafraid to challenge the authority of men. It could be argued that Desdemona and Emilia represent two different versions of womanhood. However, it is worth remembering that Desdemona’s elopement with Othello proves that she is not beyond defying patriarchal authority, too.

On matters of marriage, on the other hand, the pair have extremely differing views. Emilia makes her views on marriage clear in act four, scene three. She states of men, “'Tis not a year or two shows us a man: They are all but stomachs, and we all but food”(III.iv).
However, it is interesting to note that she speaks of women having frailty, too. She is perhaps speaking of herself here, given that she took the handkerchief to Iago and later lied about having seen it.
This, coupled with the fact that she was willing to take the handkerchief and later deny all knowledge of what has happened to it, suggests that Emilia is in fact a loyal wife.

Emilia as a Wife
Iago states on two occasions that he believes Emilia may have had affairs with both Othello and Cassio. While, unlike Desdemona, Emilia takes a very realistic view of sexual love and infidelity, “…but for the whole world,—why, who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for't.”(IV.iii), there is certainly no other evidence in the play to suggest that she has bedded either Othello or Cassio.

After Desdemona’s death, she shows no concern for her own safety as she confronts Othello. However, when she learns of her husband’s plot, she confesses her part in stealing the handkerchief and is promptly stabbed by Iago. With her final breaths, Emilia asserts her friend’s loyalty and purity “Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee, cruel Moor; So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true; So speaking as I think, I die, I die.”(V.ii).