at he could ever set either of them up in such a profound and disgraceful manner. The irony of course is that all the open declarations of love are made during conversations where Iago is deceiving other characters. One is therefore left to ponder on the naivety and innocent nature of all the characters. How can no-one see through his mask? The answer - Emilia can.Iago's beloved wife, Emilia, is the one who eventually unravels her husband's masterful plan in the ultimate scene, but that is already too late, for Iago has gained his revenge with the murder of Desdemona by Othello. Another irony is that she actually failed to connect the persona she described, after Othello strikes Desdemona, with the persona of her husband. "I will be hanged if some eternal villain, some busy and insinuating rogue, some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, have not devised this slander; I'll be hanged else."What does this tell us about the relationship between Iago and Emilia? She does not seem to know her husband very well. To my mind, this is due to Iago's animal like attitude to love and life. He is very individualistic, concerned with only himself and what he wants. Very self-centered - a closed door. This is made evident even in the first scene when Iago shouts up to Brabantio, "an old black ram is tupping your white ewe...you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins, and jennets for germans." The constant metaphoric association of animals and humans in this way portrays Iago's bestial attitude to sex.This relationship between Iago and Emilia is masterfully contrasted by Shakespeare with the relationship between Othello and Desdemona, who openly express their love and passion for each other:Othello : O my fair warrior!Desdemona : My dear Othello.Othello : It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me. O my soul's joy! If after every tempest come suchcalms, may the winds blow till they have wakened...
