.
"DES. I have heard it said so. O, these men, these men!.
Doet thou in conscience think, --tell me, Emilia, --.
That there be women do abuse their husbands .
In such gross kind?.
EMIL. There be some such, no question.
DES. Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?.
EMIL. Why, would not you?.
DES. No not by this heavenly light!.
EMIL. Nor I neither by this heavenly light; I might do "t as well i" .
the dark.
DES. Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?.
EMIL. The world "s a huge thing: it is a great price .
For a small vice.
DES. In troth, I think thou wouldst not." (IV.iii.901).
In this scene Desdemona is asking Emilia for advice and another persons" perspective. This is how many people solve their problems, by confiding in another whom they respect and trust enough to give an honest account of how they would react in the same situation. This scene shows that Desdemona has respect and trust for Emilia by taking her advice on the situation. Now the audience is able to see the impact that Emilia has on Desdemona which gives her the upper hand in the relationship. This upper hand is what Emilia takes advantage of.
Emilia uses the connection to Desdemona to steal a handkerchief that has been given to her by Othello, her new love. While Emilia is doing that, Iago, her husband, is busy planting lies in Othello's head of Desdemona's unfaithfulness. Emilia takes the handkerchief because Iago has requested it in order to provide Othello with hard evidence of Desdemona's disloyalty. While Emilia is questioned as to the whereabouts of the handkerchief she dismisses the subject, claiming that she has no idea. .
"DES. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?.
EMIL. I know not, madam.
DES. Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse.
Full of crusadoes: and, but my noble Moor.
Is true of mind and made of no such baseness.
As jealous creatures are, it were enough.
To put him to ill thinking.