However, it is in Act IV, Scene III that we really get a chance to see the bond between the two main female characters of the play. After singing the song "Willow" which is about a woman betrayed by her lover, Desdemona is left thinking about adultery which leads her to ask Emilia if she would ever cheat on her husband. Emilia's response is "no" but it is not the response which is really important. I think that the fact that Desdemona would even ask Emilia such a personal question is what is truly important. To me, it illustrates the trust and comfort that Desdemona feels towards Emilia, who is basically the only person who believes in and is true to her in the play.
Later in Act IV, Scene III, the women continue this "girl talk" when there is mention of Lodovico. After Desdemona makes reference to him, Emilia encourages her by also commenting on his attractiveness. This is her way of initiating Desdemona to talk more openly about her feelings. In my opinion, throughout the scene Emilia seems to hint at, without blatantly saying it, that she should try to find someone else rather than take both the verbal and physical abuse from Othello anymore.
4 comments:
The homosocial bond between Desdemona and Emilia is heartwarming: it seems that Emilia is the only person who Desdemona can speak to. Their relationship is particularly interesting when contrasted to that between Iago and Othello. Both Emilia and Iago are in classes lower than the other two, but their interactions with their social superiors are vastly different. While Iago "follows but [him]self," Emilia really does look after Desdemona. Her devotion to Desdemona is emphasized by the fact that she is married to Iago, and therefore an elevation in his rank (getting Cassio's military position) would directly benefit her, yet she still supports Desdemona and condemns Othello for his jealousy.
I agree that there are moments of bonding between the two women, especially when Desdemona ask Emilia "such a personal question" at the end of act IV. Emilia takes on a maternal role towards Desdemona. She sees how Othello mistreats Desdemona and having experienced a similar mistreatment from her own husband, she takes Desdemona under her wing and acts as a source of comfort and wisdom.
What a great post. I totally agree with a lot of the points that you made about Desdemona and Emilia. I feel that no matter what, even when two females may dislike each other or have negative feelings towards one another there is still some sort of bond between them and I think it is because they are the same sex. I agree with you, it seems as if Emilia truly cares about Desdemona and is there for her. I also think it is interesting that Desdemona has given up all hope but on the other hand Emilia feels that women have feelings and sexual cravings as well, just like men, so they should be able to act upon them. I also agree with the last point you made about Emilia, and how I think she wants someone else for Desdemona who is going to treat her how she should be treated.
Your post was very interesting to read and I am glad that you brought up the close bond between Desdemona and Emilia. While reading Act IV I was glad to see after all the lashing Desdemona has taken she finally has a true friend that she can confine in. I thought it was a ground breaking moment when Desdemona asked Emilia if she would ever cheat on her husband. Like you said it not the answer Emilia gives but the fact that Desdemona would actually ask her such a question and the trust she has in her. Since Emilia comes from a realtionship much like Desdeomonas I think that's why both women have such a special bond between one another.
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