In the vast majority of Shakespearean works, female characters are used as mere pawns in male plots for power, revenge or glory. In the tragedy Othello the same applies to the two central female characters: Desdemona, Othello's wife, and Emilia, Iago's wife. Throughout the play, they are manipulated, objectified, and brutalized by Iago and Othello, which furthers Iago's deviant agenda. Shakespeare may have had a tragic end to their fate, but he did not paint their characters with a broad stroke. Desdemona and Emilia are both individuals in their own right, differing in status, thought and language/diction. Although there are stark differences in the characters of Desdemona and Emilia, their shared loyalty to their husbands allows Iago to entangle them in his web of deceit. The exploitation of women by men ultimately leads to the destruction of all. The similarities and differences between Desdemona and Emilia not only demonstrate the range of femininity in the play, but also juxtapose how they are treated by men in Othello, which contextualizes the theme of betrayal and deception. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayDesdemona and Emilia are at odds with each other, as many of their characteristics are directly opposite. In the 16th century, outward beauty was thought to translate into goodness and virtue, so when Desdedomona is described on several occasions as "such a tender, fair, happy maiden," Shakespeare is commenting on her beautiful and gracious personality as well as her appearance (Shakespeare 1.2.85). Desdemona's beauty is described before she enters the scene, so the audience assumes her goodness before even meeting her character. Emilia's physical appearance, however, is never explicitly described either before or after her entrance on the scene. However, during Iago's first soliloquy, he states that “abroad it is thought that 'between my sheets / 'Has done my office'”. He claims that Othello slept with his wife Emilia. Although this information is dubious, the audience subconsciously creates a negative and ugly portrayal of Emilia based on the idea that her actions may be immoral and ugly. Quite simply, Desdemona is initially characterized as the light, while Emilia is the darkness, which suggests that Desdemona is naive and pure, while Emilia is more worldly. Not only are their physical appearances (contextualized or not) opposite, but so are their personalities. While Desdemona initially appears outspoken and eloquent, Emilia is quiet and soft-spoken. Desdemona is bold, independent, and kind, especially during her testimony before the Venetian Senate: My noble father, I perceive here a divided duty. I am tied to you for life and education. My life and upbringing teach me how to respect you. You are the lord of duty. So far I am your daughter. But here is my husband, and so much duty as my mother has shown you, preferring you to her father, so much challenge that I can profess it due to the Moor my lord. The divided duty that Desdemona speaks of is shown in the difference in lines for “My noble father” and “husband”. Not only does it visually show the change in loyalties, but it also isolates their titles to highlight their importance in Desdemona's life. her father owes her life and education, to her husband her love. The thought and eloquence of such a monologue demonstrated how cultured she is and her sensitivity towards her relationships is in prose, which it is the language of wit and logical thinkingusually require verse, the fact that it is in prose hints at Desdemona's logical and principled nature. In contrast, Emilia is described by Desdemona, who "has no words!". Even when Iago insults her in the second act scene, it is Desdemona who talks back, while Emilia simply suffers the verbal insults. Perhaps this is not necessarily a difference in their personality, but rather a difference in their social status. Generally, both women are wealthy, however Emilia is Desdeoma's assistant, so she is lower in Venetian society. As both women develop throughout the show, they remain at odds with each other. There is a turning point in Desdemona and Emilia's behaviors when Iago's plot begins to take effect, especially around Act 4, when Othello begins to suspect Desdemona of infidelity. Desdemona, the ideological female, becomes meek and gentler as her marriage to Othello weighs on her. In contrast, Emilia, the “everywoman,” becomes more alert and independent-minded. In Act 4, scene 3, Desdemona and Emilia argue about a wife's infidelity. Desdemona cannot believe that a woman could ever cheat or be disloyal towards her husband: "Do you think in conscience - tell me, Emilia - that there are women who abuse their husbands, in such a gross way?". Desdemona's reaction to the fact that some women cheat on their husbands suggests her strict principles, ideals of marriage, and love for Othello. She states: “I am not much more mature, as she has a deeper understanding of the desires of men and women as time goes on in a monogamous relationship. Emilia believes that if men can cheat, why can't women? Emilia says to Desdemona: Let husbands know that their wives have sense like them. They see, they smell,...When do they change us for others? Is it sport? I think so. And does affection generate it? I think so... And don't we have affections, desires for sport and fragility, like men have? At the beginning of the play, it was Desdemona who delivered long and eloquent monologues. However, when Desdemona begins to speak in shorter, more fragmented prose, Emilia switches to longer, more logical prose. His short monologue defines his character, not only because he expresses a dangerous opinion, but because he isolates the similarities between men and women in delivering his speech and is clear about their meaning. She goes beyond the simple role of wife, assistant that has been assigned to her. All the women in the play are essentially the property of the men in their lives. Desdemona is owned by her father, then when she marries Othello she becomes his. Othello says, “I will assign my wife to her conveyance.” The line implies that Desdemona is his possession and must be guarded and transported. This would have been a matter of normality for the time, as women were considered the weaker sex and required protection obtained through marriage. As Othello leaves, the First Senator exclaims: “Farewell, brave Moor; use Desdemona well”, the accent of the word “use” replaces the phrase “look after you” in a darker tone, alluding to forced sexual relations. Othello not only claimed Desdemona in passing, but directly over her. When Othello says, "Let me speak to you - Come my dear love, the purchase made, are the fruits that will follow" he further supports the idea that women's purpose in a marriage is to procreate, no matter how lovely she says it . Emilia is Iago's possession and pawn, especially when he manipulates her into stealing the all-important handkerchief. In Act 3 Scene 3, after Emilia takes Desdemona's handkerchief when she accidentally drops it, Emilia says "I do nothing but please her fancy" and meets Iago. She is defeated in every attempt.