In-On-It or Out-Of-It

The essential Othello question... was Emilia involved in Iago's plan?

Emilia can accurately be described as the least jejune character in Othello. She is inherently deep and metaphorical but, is she conniving? I can assure you, there is no definite answer to this question cited in the text, so it is up for us to speculate. My original predilection - deep down she knows about Iago's plan, but is unwilling to admit it to herself.

Some people describe Emilia as sinecure, turning the other cheek to Iago's to benefit her own status, but I don't agree. I think she doesn't want to believe there is a malevolent side to her husband that she was blind to before. Emilia is not used to the evil side of Iago, and is a neophyte when it comes to plotting lies and murder.

In an attempt to retain the camaraderie she enjoys with Iago as husband and wife, Emilia does not warn anyone about Iago's plan when she finally allows the pieces to fall into place. Finally realizing she will be bereft of happiness if she keeps up the lie, Emilia finally confesses to Othello and a room full of Venetian soldiers. Emilia was not granted impunity, however, because Iago stabs and kills her as she finally tells the true.

So did Emilia know? In the back of her mind, yes. In her willing consciousness, no - not until the very end of the play.

Love Not-a-Triangle

An Overview:

Othello is married to Desdemona but has possibly slept with Emilia.

Desdemona is married to Othello but was accused of having an affair with Cassio.

Emilia is married to Iago but might have slept with Othello.

Cassio is married to an unnamed and barely mentioned character, but regularly hires Bianca the prostitute and is possibly in love Desdemona.

Iago is married to Emilia but concocts the entire plot because he is in love with either Desdemona or Othello.

In Othello, there are many tacit references to past affairs and secret lovers. Othello breezes through the beginning of the story with panache, confident in Desdemona's adoration and virginity. However, he soon becomes piqued after Iago's suggestion that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Despite Cassio's rather obsequious nature, Othello goes on a rampage to fulfill his vendetta against his highest lieutenant. The possibility of this affair, among many others, eventually leads to *SPOILER ALERT* the everyone-is-murdered-but-stays-alive-long-enough-to-climb-into-the-overly-conspicuous-bed-in-the-middle-of-the-room-already-filled-with-dead-bodies scene.

Up on a Pedestal...

~An Analysis of Status in Shakespeare's Othello~

Othello ~ Othello is able to enjoy the highest status of everyone in the play because he is General of the Venetian Army. However, when not in a military setting, he is ostracized as the only black man in the white society of Venice.

Desdemona ~ Blessed with money she did nothing to deserve, the affluent Desdemona has a high status based on both her wealth and her beauty. In her marriage however, she as almost no power because of her sex and Othello's higher status.

Iago ~ Iago fools some characters with his blasé attitude towards status. However, readers soon discover his desperate need to be Othello's lieutenant after Cassio is (perhaps unfairly) given the position.

Cassio ~ Because of his military position, Cassio had a relatively high status. But after the drunken brawl and the subsequent subjugation from Othello, Cassio lost his military and social rank.

Barbantio - Barbantio attempted to use his status as a Senator to prosecute Othello for "stealing" Desdemona, but Othello's high status allowed him to be exculpated.