Emilia’s Monologue from Othello, Act 4, Scene 3: "But I do think it is their husbands’ faults"

Synopsis

In this powerful and progressive monologue, Emilia reflects on the double standards in marriage and society. She argues that men, through their infidelity, jealousy, and mistreatment, are often to blame when women stray. Emilia boldly asserts that women share the same emotions, desires, and weaknesses as men, and if women act poorly, it is often because they have learned such behaviour from their husbands. This speech is a passionate and feminist critique of gender inequality and the injustices women endure.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

Desdemona and Emilia prepare for bed after the tense events of the day. Desdemona, distraught by Othello’s accusations, questions Emilia about the nature of infidelity and whether women are ever unfaithful to their husbands. Emilia uses this moment to deliver her candid and cutting observations about men’s faults and how their actions often lead to their wives’ moral failings.

Original Text

"But I do think it is their husbands’ faults
If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties
And pour our treasures into foreign laps;
Or else break out in peevish jealousies,
Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike us,
Or scant our former having in despite,
Why, we have galls: and though we have some grace,
Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know
Their wives have sense like them: they see and smell
And have their palates both for sweet and sour
As husbands have. What is it that they do
When they change us for others? Is it sport?
I think it is. And doth affection breed it?
I think it doth. Is’t frailty that thus errs?
It is so too. And have not we affections?
Desires for sport? and frailty, as men have?
Then let them use us well: else let them know,
The ills we do, their ills instruct us so."

Translation of Text into Contemporary Language

"I believe it’s the husbands’ fault
When their wives are unfaithful. If they neglect their responsibilities,
Waste their love on other women,
Become jealous and controlling,
Abuse their wives, or deprive them out of spite—
Well, we’re human too. And though we try to forgive,
Sometimes we seek revenge. Husbands should remember
That their wives have feelings just like they do:
We can see, smell, and taste
What’s sweet and sour, just like they can.
Why do men cheat on us? Is it just for fun?
Yes, I think so. Is it because they feel affection for someone else?
Yes, that too. Is it because of weakness?
Yes, absolutely. But don’t we have feelings too?
Don’t we also want fun and sometimes make mistakes like men do?
So let them treat us well, or else let them understand:
The wrongs we commit are taught to us by their own bad behaviour."

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words

  • Slack their duties: Neglect their responsibilities as husbands.

  • Pour our treasures into foreign laps: Be unfaithful, giving their love and affection to other women.

  • Peevish jealousies: Childish or irrational jealous behaviour.

  • Throwing restraint upon us: Imposing unreasonable restrictions on women.

  • Scant our former having in despite: Deprive us of what we once had (e.g., love, affection, or resources) out of spite.

  • Galls: Courage, bitterness, or resentment.

  • Grace: Forgiveness or moral decency.

  • Sport: Entertainment or fun, often used in the context of infidelity.

  • Frailty: Weakness, particularly moral or emotional weakness.

Suggested New Thoughts Chunking / Paragraphing

  1. "But I do think it is their husbands’ faults If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties And pour our treasures into foreign laps;"

  2. "Or else break out in peevish jealousies, Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike us, Or scant our former having in despite,"

  3. "Why, we have galls: and though we have some grace, Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know Their wives have sense like them: they see and smell And have their palates both for sweet and sour As husbands have."

  4. "What is it that they do When they change us for others? Is it sport? I think it is. And doth affection breed it? I think it doth. Is’t frailty that thus errs? It is so too."

  5. "And have not we affections? Desires for sport? and frailty, as men have? Then let them use us well: else let them know, The ills we do, their ills instruct us so."

Journey Keypoints

  • Hook: Emilia boldly claims that husbands are to blame when wives stray, immediately challenging societal norms.

  • Turning Point: She lists the specific ways men mistreat women, from neglect to abuse, creating a vivid picture of the injustices wives endure.

  • Climax: Emilia asserts women’s equality with men, emphasizing that women share the same feelings, desires, and flaws.

  • Resolution: She warns husbands that their wives’ faults are often learned from their own bad behaviour, driving home her argument for mutual respect.

Famous or Notable Actors Who Have Played the Role

  • Sheila Hancock (National Theatre, 1964)

  • Zoë Wanamaker (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1985)

  • Emilia Clarke (National Theatre Live, 2022)

  • Jane Lapotaire (BBC Television, 1981)

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