The Old Switcher-o

(Othello, Shakespeare)

Character Focus: Emilia and Desdemona

Within Acts I to III, the women of this play have opposite personalities: Desdemona is an independent, bright, and persistent young gal while Emilia is a simple victim to her husband Iago. However, Act IV offers a tole reversal for these two characters. After Othello confronts Desdemona about his thoughts of her cheating, one would imagine that she would defend herself and refuse to let him think such things and that Emilia would just play along. But truthfully, Desdemona steps down and weeps her accusations. It is Emilia that turns to anger and vows against gossip (III. ii. 150) and it is Emilia that calls for action and fears the future. Desdemona has resorted to a lowly state of confusion and submission, perhaps out of love and hurt.

Basically, these foil characters switch roles. This switch displays the shifting actions of the play as the plot reaches its climax and the seemingly end of Desdemona draws close. This switch seems to imply that Emilia will end on top.