Othello

Act 4, Scene 3

Explain the contrasts between Emilia’s views of marriage and Desdemona’s.

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Emelia basically says that marriage is impossible with men while Desdemona is desperate to find a way to make it work. Emilia regrets Desdemona's marriage, although Desdemona cannot say that she does not love Othello. Desdemona knows that she will die soon; she sings a song of sadness and resignation, and decides to give herself to her fate. Desdemona asks Emilia whether she would commit adultery to win her husband the world. Emilia, the more practical one, thinks that it is not too big a price for a small act; Desdemona is too good, and too devout, to say that she would do so.