Desdemona obviously did not share this view, as she was a devoted Christian, and so would not have falling in love with something unholy. Many people saw black people as Devils, and believed that they were destined to Hell. There was a lot of racism in England during the17th century, and so Desdemona’s decision to marry a black man was not only unusual in the play, but would have been the same views expressed by the Jacobean audience. An example of this is after Othello has left Desdemona in Act 4, one of the first things she asks Desdemona is “what’s the matter with my Lord” and so it seems strange that something as confusing as Othello’s accusations did not intrigue her into finding out more. One of the problems with Shakespeare’s decision to make Emilia not discover that it was all Iago’s fault until it is too late, is that she is portrayed as a person who likes to know other people’s business. She represents a lot of women during that period, who although had the intellect, where constantly belittled by either the husbands (as is Emilia) or men in general, so remained silent. The character of Emilia is one who although is outspoken, is also very dutiful, and knows her place. It is also Emilia who later suspects that Othello believes that Desdemona is a whore because somebody has been spreading lies about her: “The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave” but again is told to keep quiet by Iago, and so she does. She does suspect Iago of not being honest when she gives him the handkerchief asking him: “what will you do with’t, that you have been so earnest to have me flinch it? ” Emilia does not attempt to go any further with her questioning, and so instead of going with her instincts she chooses to believe in her husband, and forget about it.
Therefore the character’s are not entirely drawn from life, for it is unlikely that many people could claim they are as noble as Desdemona, who continues to defend her husband’s name even after he has tarnished her own.Įmilia is obviously an intelligent woman, as she is the only one who is able to realise that it is Iago who is to blame for all of the problems that have occurred. This could also strengthen the validity of the characters, especially Emilia, for not all marriages were as blissfully happy as Desdemona and Othello’s, and so portrays the other side to society.
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