Just like I suspected, Emilia pulls through in the end. Taking a complete turn, Emilia is a dynamic character for her tenacity to stand up against Iago for what seems like the first and last time. Though her bold actions had a severe and deadly consequence, Emilia stood up for herself at the expense of telling of the honesty in Desdemona and the obvious lies and crimes committed. Once overly obedient to Iago (giving over Desdemona's handkerchief to Iago, even though he treated her terribly), Emilia turns on Iago calling his acts villainous. She now refuses to stay quiet even if it means her harm, for she believes the truth which she bares is relevant amidst all of the lies and corruptness her husband provoked: "'Tis proper I obey him, but not now" (V.ii.194-196). It is my understanding that Shakespeare is making point to present women as less inferior to men through the progression of Othello.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Shakespeare's Othello. I was thrilled to have finished the play without help from outside sources with a fairly clear understanding; I feel like I learned the WORK, not ABOUT the work!!
"I feel like I learned the WORK, not ABOUT the work!!"
ReplyDeleteI think I'm gonna cry.