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Character Role Analysis

Emilia to Desdemona

An older, more experienced, more cynical woman, Emilia's attitude towards men contrasts with Desdemona's naïve idealism. Think, for example, of Desdemona's naïveté when she wonders if there are any women who would actually cheat on their husbands.

Emilia's response is more worldly. She says something like, "Yep, there sure are women who cheat on their husbands." Not only that, Emilia says "[b]ut I do think it is their husbands' faults / If wives do fall" (4.3.97-98). Check out our discussion for "Gender" for more on this.