Emilia - Critics

Question 1

Carol Thomas Neely (1985):

Answer 1

“Emilia serves as a counterpoint to Desdemona, providing a voice of pragmatism and skepticism in contrast to Desdemona’s idealism and innocence.”

Question 2

Karen Newman (1987):

Answer 2

“By exposing Iago’s villainy, Emilia disrupts the patriarchal order of the play, asserting a form of female agency that is rare in Shakespeare’s works.”

Question 3

Dympna Callaghan (1996):

Answer 3

“Emilia embodies the play’s critique of male domination, especially through her assertion of women’s rights in her conversation with Desdemona.”