Emilia

            Emilia plays a pivotal role of loyal wife and servant in the tragedy Othello. This role that she plays of wife to Iago and servant to Desdemona cause her to make conflicting decisions. She must be faithful to her husband but at the same time faithful to her friend Desdemona who she serves. Both her positions in the play are comprised by the villainous plot her husband has composed. This plot two destroy Othello's marriage causes Emilia at the very end of the play to question her husbands motives and show her true loyally to Desdemona. She unwillingly plays a key role in Iago's plan without any knowledge of what her husband scheme is.
             Emilia's two roles make her a key supporting player. She is married too the man who wishes to ruin Othello's life by causing him to question the faithfulness of his wife Desdemona. She has no Knowledge of her husband's underhandedness and therefore believes her husband is a good man. Emilia behaviors has a good and faithful wife doing what her husband asks. For example she says "I am glad I have found this napkin. This was her first remembrance from the Moor. My wayward husband hath a hundred times Wooed me to steal it" (II.II.306-309). This shows her loyalty to Iago and how she does what is asked of her without questioning.
             By stealing The handkerchief and handing it over to Iago she has played an important role because Iago will only use this item to his advantage in breaking up the happy couple. She has blindly helped her husband further his plans without evening knowing why her husband wished to posses it. Emilia states "And give"t Iago. What he will do with it Heaven knows, not I; I nothing but to please his fantasy" (II.II.313-315). She says herself that she only took the handkerchief to please her husband. She is fulfilling her role of a loyal wife. Emilia does not find out until the end of the play the reason her husband so desperately desired the handkerchief but when she does she realizes the significant role she has played.