Foil Characters

Othello, the Moor of Venice, by William Shakespeare, features two characters that are near opposites.  These characters, Desdemona and Emilia, act as foil characters to each other, complimenting and accentuating the features of the other.  Their situations seem to reverse each other too.  Desdemona was in a caring relationship with a kind man who loved her, but has since become a jealous beast.  Emilia was never in an actually emotional relationship, her significant other consistently mocking and verbally abusing her.  Desdemona is strong and not willing to tolerate Othello's mistreatment, while Emilia shows no sign of desiring to leave Iago.  Emilia is a weak individual, who seems to want to get back at somebody with silent revenge.  When Desdemona claims she would not cheat on Othello for the world, Emilia responds with, "The world's a huge thing.  It is a great price for a small vice," (Shakespeare, 1444).  These characters, though constantly pulling each other, have remained good friends throughout the story.  There conflicting viewpoints and positions on most every situation and circumstance makes the reader easily notice the features of the other in contrast.