Othello by William Shakespeare
With so many outspoken and strong minded characters in this play, it is ironic that Emilia of all people would be the one to finally expose Iago. For one reason, it was bound to happen that one of the pawns in Iago's elaborate chess game would stumble across proof and put two and two together. Othello spoke of how Iago informed him of the adultery and the handkerchief, and Emilia had helped with the stealing of that very same handkerchief. It was not even as subtle as Rodrigo yelling out Iago's name as Iago stabbed him. Anyone could have placed Rodrigo as one of Iago's cronies. They would be like, "Yes, I have seen that guy before, he's the weirdo that Iago always whispers to and then runs off to do God knows what!" Somehow this little flaw in not picked up on. Back to the actual smart one of the play, Emilia. Not only does she catch on right away as she is given this clue, but she has no problem pronouncing it to the council of men around her. Emilia is already a timid woman and now her husband is ordering for her leave in front of many other macho men and she defies him to try to lay out this elaborate truth. After Iago commands her to go home, she denies saying, "I will not" (Shakespeare V.ii.223). She is soon after stabbed by Iago. How ironic is it that the one who exposes Iago is not only the most timid and seemingly unsubstantial of all the characters, but also the villains wife. Most wives would out of shock or loyalty, deny the fact. However, Emilia, Iago's wife, is at the forefront as the blamer. She does not bat an eye towards blaming her husband as the cause of all the misery. Good for her!
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