Obedience And Loyalty In Shakespeare's Othello

Shakespeare displays a world of obedience and loyalty through the women in his play, Othello. Shakespeare strongly expresses Desdemona and Emilia’s characters as women in the Elizabethan era throughout the play, as they both have entirely different views on marriage. Shakespeare also characterizes both females with contradicting personalities.Desdemona and Emilia are disguised as vulnerable against their husbands and therefore concludes that women fail to please.

Shakespeare establishes Desdemona and Emilia to have complications in their relationship because of their contrasting views on marriage. Shakespeare introduces Emilia as an outspoken character. She shows this when Iago was insulting her and she does not accept his comments. Emilia

Emilia goes against the traditional Elizabethan norms expected for a woman to follow. At the time, it was normal for women to obey all orders given to them by their husbands, if not they “[seen] as traders.” (Roy) Comparing this societal norm from more than four centuries ago, women have come a long way. Where disobeying their husband could be seen as not betrayal, but “self- defense” (Rosenberg) Shakespeare later gives Emilia trust in her relationship with Iago. When she finds Desdemona’s handkerchief, which Iago “often… bid [her to] steal.”(3.3.309), Emilia surrenders to her husband’s orders, and gives it to him, justifying her new loyalty. We see Emilia now following the social norm, and helping her husband execute his evil scheme. However, Emilia quickly starts to disregard Iago’s orders. She becomes unfaithful to Iago as she exploits his plan “[that] villainy hath made mocks with love!” (5.2.151) In contrast, to Desdemona who in the opening scene we familiarize ourselves with her as the character who stays devoted to her husband and is also brave because she disobeyed her father's orders. Desdemona also breaks social norms of

Elizabethan society pressured wives to always put their husband as their first priority. Desdemona once again follows the social norm and becomes powerless in their relationship, making the marriage between Desdemona and Othello, a more one sided love. On the other hand, Emilia slowly progresses to become extroverted about her opinion when Iago insults her she does not stand for it “[he] shall not write [her] praise”. (2.1.123) Emilia continues throughout the play as stubborn, and selfish. Desdemona shows a variety of traits including caring, naive, timid and forgiveness, after she loses power in her relationship. She validates her traits when Cassio obtained his own resignation and needed Desdemona to persuade Othello to regrant his position. Desdemona “assures...Cassio, [she] will do All [her] abilities in [his]behalf.” (3.3.1-2) She is willing to help anyone in any situation. Nevertheless, Emilia reveals her stubbornness when she tells Desdemona “[she] would you had never seen him!” (4.3.17). Emilia becomes selfish. for not thinking of Desdemona’s affection towards Othello, she does not believe in happy marriages because her own is dreadful. Emilia’s relentless thoughts of marriage result in her disinterest in it, whereas Desdemona’s obedience tricks her into believing her marriage is perfect. Emilia is not easily influenced, society does not affect her in any way. However, Desdemona’s