An Analysis of Relationships in Othello

For the first unit of a workshop, I took for Spring Term called Healthy Relationships in Shakespeare, we read the tragedy, Othello. As we read through the play, we consistently switched off the roles of the characters and gained an understanding of what the relationships between the characters were. The antagonist's true intentions are revealed as we continue, especially with Roderigo, who he had been working with since the beginning. For this Action Project, we had to pick a relationship between two characters in the play and analyze why or why not that relationship was unhealthy.

    Othello is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. The main conflicts result from Iago’s jealousy after passing up for promotion. He uses Othello’s secret marriage to Desdemona as a cause of conflict. He gets Cassio stripped of his rank and convinces Cassio to go to Desdemona for help, planting the seeds of distrust for Othello’s wife.

Written in 1603, Shakespeare’s tragedy has a handful of relationships, some better and some worse. But, surprisingly, healthy relationships do exist Shakespeare. In this essay, we will analyze the friendship between Desdemona and Emilia. According to the University Health Services at UC Berkley, they have three criteria for making a healthy friendship.

First up on the criteria is a healthy friendship that involves caring for each other. In Othello, Desdemona and Emilia care for each other in their company. We see both characters turn to each other throughout the play, seeking comfort. For example, in Act IV, Scene III Desdemona airs her despair to Emilia about her now troublesome marriage to Othello with the mention of the Willow Song. Emilia, who is more experienced and well versed in the marriage life compared to recently wed Desdemona, shares that marriage isn’t easy. It is not her fault for failing to meet the unrealistic expectations set for the circumstance. 

“EMILIA:          Let husbands know

Their wives have sense like them. They see, and smell,

And have their palates both for sweet and sour,

As husbands have. What is it that they do

When they change us for others? Is it sport?

I think it is. And doth affection breed it?

I think it doth. Is’t frailty that thus errs?

It is so too. And have not we affections,

Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?

Then let them use us well. Else let them know,

The ills we do, their ills instruct us so. “- Act IV, Scene III (244)

The second criterion is being open with one another. Desdemona is very vulnerable with Emilia when she opens up to her about how her marriage with Othello has suddenly gone stale and wants to help Cassio. Emilia was always able to offer advice and console Desdemona. 

"DESDEMONA: I ne'er saw this before.

Sure, there’s some wonder in this handkerchief,

I am most unhappy in the loss of it.

EMILIA: 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food. To eat us hungerly, and when they are full, 95 They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband!"- (Act III, Scene VI)

The third and final criterion of a healthy friendship is being able to overcome barriers and adapt to new situations. There isn’t much conflict between Desdemona and Emilia throughout the play. However, the central conflict they are involved in is the accusation of Desdemona cheating on Othello with Cassio. With these accusations, Emilia stuck by Desdemona’s side and said she was a faithful and innocent woman. 

 

"EMILIA: What did thy song bode, lady?

Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan.

And die in music.

(singing) Willow, willow, willow—

Moor, she was chaste, she loved thee, cruel Moor.

So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true.

So speaking as I think, alas, I die." - (Act IV, Scene II)

    It is no secret that Emilia indirectly played a big role in developing Othello’s jealousy and the death of Desdemona. But it was not her fault! Iago was manipulating her as a result of their unhealthy marriage. Emilia was shocked about Desdemona’s death and repeatedly asserted that Desdemona was never unfaithful. So much that Emilia was willing to accept death after also being killed by her husband. Emilia and Desdemona had a healthy friendship; however, outside forces manipulated it.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Othello. I thought it was an exciting play. However, it irks me how gullible Othello and Cassio were. Though that may be coming from me as an outsider who already knows Iago is the villain. It is crazy how literally 5 people die within the last ten pages in the final act and scene. Though I do feel sympathetic towards Othello, to an extent, because he was betrayed and thought Iago was an honorable person.