Emilia is Iago’s wife, immediately evoking sympathy from a contemporary audi- ence, especially due to the way in which her husband speaks to and about women whilst she remains loyal to him despite this. She retrieves the handkerchief for him to begin his insidious conspiring against Othello. However, despite the expectation that there would be at least some affection or interaction between the couple, they have no exchange at all until Act 3 Scene 3... when he initially calls her a “foolish wife.” But it’s not all bad news, as he later calls her “good” when she pleases him! Except the full quote here is actually “good wench,” so their relationship is hardly healthy.
