The Vision That was Tragically Visualized

There are several players that play a part in a tragic vision and they all bring their special “talents.” In Othello, two women play some of the most important parts, but one would never guess. Desdemona’s bursting love for her new husband and Emilia’s attempts to keep her husband get theses women entangled in someone’s “sport and profit.” But their fate is what makes the vision so tragic.

Her loyalty to her husband is what puts Desdemona in the path of tragic vision. The naivety of the young bride influenced her to put all her trust in Othello hoping that he would return the trust, and then some. This full hearted commitment and her unwillingness to be “disobedient” destroyed what she thought was a blessed marriage. “You [Barbantio] are the lord of duty; I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband, and so much duty as my mother show'd to you, preferring you before her father” (Othello). Desdemona’s hopes and wishes were denied with each whisper Iago gave Othello about her “disloyalty”.

For Emilia, she was so fixated on pleasing her husband that she was not aware of what was going on with her mistress. Although she has the most direct contact with the “divine lightening,” her lack of skills did not prove to be useful to Iago until the handkerchief. “And give't Iago: what he will do with it heaven knows, not I; I nothing but to please his fantasy” (Othello). In fulfilling her husband’s wish she endangers not only her friend’s life, but her own. Emilia’s devotion is her ultimate weakness and connection to the tragic vision.

As the “clumps of grass” around the victimized “great tree,” Emilia and Desdemona suffer for the trust in one man: Iago. Because of one’s loyalty and the other’s devotion, they were swept up in the whirl of the tragic vision. Although Othello is perceived to be the true tragic hero, some credit is deserved for Desdemona and Emilia for making it a tragic vision.