Emilia’s role in Shakespeare’s Othello demonstrates the disturbance
between rationality and irrationality. At first, Emilia repetitively questions “My
husband?” (V, ii, 141) in order to clarify that truly Iago is behind his
manipulative schemes. Emilia’s rationality within this scene deliberately contrasts
to Othello’s irrationality and wrongful accusations he deems upon Desdemona. In
Venice, Othello’s clear rationality is maintained as his logical reasoning in
court deems him clear and concise; however, in Cyprus, his rationality flips to
the point where Iago’s manipulative scheme interferes with Othello’s ability to
think clearly and concisely. Emilia’s statements against Iago demonstrate how
she, out of all other characters, possesses an ability to think rationally
unlike Othello, and she refers to Iago that “O, are you come, Iago? You have
done well, / That men must lay their murders on your neck” (V, ii, 170-171). Her
condescending statement initiates her abrupt responsibility to defend purity
and innocence against irrationality and anger. Emilia makes a clear attempt to
rationalize for Desdemona’s sake in order to convince Othello that Desdemona is
innocent and crime-free. Despite her attempts, Othello’s irrationality
overcomes his ability to begin thinking rationally and causes a tragedy at the
end of the play. The disturbance between rationality and irrationality is one
of many key concepts in understanding the nature of Shakespeare’s tragedies.
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