Emilia in Shakespeare's Othello

Often in our society people are labelled as, or fit into a, certain character mould and their behaviour and actions remain consistent. However, in William Shakespeare's Othello, Emilia's character portrays three completely different archetypes and they all come through in strategical places throughout the course of the play. When introduced to Emilia, the reader sees her as a whore because of her worldly demeanour. While later on her husband, Iago, tricks her, thereby becoming a …

…the heroism she displays towards the end of the play. She makes the greatest sacrifice possible by giving her life defending the honour of sweet Desdemona. The three archetypes Emilia portrays all play a significant role in William Shakespeare's Othello. It is rare, yet refreshing that one person can possess such a wide range of traits; it makes for a more complex and interesting character which one should enjoy reading about for years to come.