Othello IV

In Act II of William Shakespeare's play,  Othello, the Moor of Venice, Emilia simply has three lines. The final line is "how if fair and foolish " when Iago and Desdemona speak of the compliments for each type of women (II.i.135). She does not respond afterwards and exits the stage. It seems like a small bit of information just characterizing Iago distaste for women's manipulations. However, it also characterizes Emilia. She is fair but foolish to a certain extent. Shakespeare did not mention anything about her fairness, but she cannot be ugly because Cassio gave his attention to her by kissing her upon the mouth. Secondly, she demonstrates her senselessness within the third act by handing Iago the handkerchief, which seems like a random token for which to ask without a reason. She asks what he wants to do with it, and he refuses to divulge his plot to her. Then, she allows him to take it without further questioning. Iago even declares, "to have a foolish wife (III.iii.305)."