In Shakespeare's play, Othello, the character of Emilia is essential in exploring the theme of gender and the expectations placed on women. The anonymous author of “From Counsel to the Husband: To the Instruction of the Wife” believes that the answer to maintaining a happy marriage is for men and women to know and respect their God-given roles (279). Through the character of Emilia, Shakespeare challenges the idea that if a woman is ideal in the role given to her and an obedient wife, then she will be able to maintain a happy and successful marriage. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The anonymous author states that “the highest level of society is between husband and wife” (278). In Othello, Emilia is married to Iago, which means that her greatest allegiance is to him, and we see this when it comes to the handkerchief. Emilia is Desdemona's servant, but also, as readers see, her friend and confidante. However, when Desdemona drops the handkerchief given to her by her husband, Emilia picks it up and gives it to her own husband Iago. Although she has no idea why Iago asked for it or what he intended to do with it, she states, "I'm just fulfilling his fantasy." (3.3.343.) She does what a wife is supposed to do and maintains the "highest standard of society." The anonymous author also mentioned that in terms of the body, the husband is the head while the wife is the body (279). This can be interpreted as the husband is the brains and in control, while the wife physically performs the movements she is told to do, a situation which can be compared to the handkerchief scene and Shakespeare's portrait of obedient Emilia and of controlling and manipulative Iago. The idea that maintaining a relationship and being faithful to your husband is important for a happy marriage is challenged by Shakespeare. The action of Emilia handing the handkerchief to Iago unknowingly triggers the ultimate end of their marriage. When Emilia discovers that her loyalty and obedience to her husband has put her in a horrible situation, she admits, "It's okay for me to obey him, but not now." » (5.2.233). Shakespeare makes Emilia realize that being loyal and obedient to her husband, what a good wife is supposed to do, has gotten her into trouble. Ultimately, this calls into question the anonymous writer's idea that being loyal and obedient to one's husband above others will guarantee them a happy marriage. The anonymous author also comments that to maintain a happy marriage, the man and woman must obey their God-given roles: "they must turn to God's wisdom and order...[and] each keep their place, its order and its celestial policy. (279). A woman's role as a wife was to be loyal, obedient, and helpful to her husband. Wives were expected, especially by God, to be monogamous and not commit adultery. Shakespeare challenges this expectation of God and the anonymous writer through Emilia. When Desdemona asks Emilia if she would ever cheat on her husband, Iago, Emilia says of course she would. She says: “I would not do such a thing for an alliance, nor for a measure of lawn… But for the whole world: who would not turn their husband into a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture into purgatory for that” (4.3.82-87). If this were to advance Iago in the social world, particularly at the level of the nobility, of course Emilia would deceive him. Isn't it an expected role of a woman to help her husband maintain a good social standard? She does this for him, in a way.”