Emilia quotes

Question 1

‘What he will do with it,
Heaven knows, not I.’ (3.3.)

Answer 1

Emilia says this line after she picks up the handkerchief Desdemona has dropped, planning to turn it over to Iago. This quote shows that Emilia at this point feels little moral responsibility, and in fact might prefer not to know the details of what her husband is plotting. Later in the play, she will be devastated to realize how her action contributed to a chain of events culminating in Desdemona’s death.

Question 2

‘They are not ever jealous for the cause
But jealous for they’re jealous.’ (3.4.)

Answer 2

Here, Emilia and Desdemona argue about whether Othello will ever be satisfied about Desdemona’s innocence. Desdemona thinks she can prove her fidelity to her husband, but Emilia is more cynical and believes that now that Othello has become suspicious, he will never be able to fully trust his wife again. Emilia’s insight might come from her less-happy relationship, but it turns out to be true.

Question 3

‘No, faith; she let it drop by negligence’ 3:3

Answer 3

Emilia is the foil of Othello at this moment, like Othello she oscillates in allegiance to Desdemona
‘negligence’ has been forced upon Desdemona by Othello and reinforced by Emilia

Question 4

“But I do think it is their husbands faults, If wives do fall” 4:3

Answer 4

Shakespeare writing - he bring females down at the hand of their husbands
foreshadows her own and Desdemona’s downfall downfall