Desdemona can't imagine "That there be women do abuse their husbands In such gross kind." (4.3.63) Whereas Emilia is portrayed in complete contrast, going on to say that she knows of such women and describes why a woman might do such a thing: " But I do think it is their husbands' faults If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties./ or say they strike us." (4.3.89-93.91-92) She continues on to say; "Then let them use us well; else let them know, The ills we do, their ills instruct us so." (4.3.105-106) She is so passionate about the issue and appears to be defending such women, leading one to believe that she is such a woman. One might note the rumour of the alleged affair between Emilia and Othello. Whether such an event took place or not is of little importance in determining that Emilia's character is that of a whore, but that is not the only archetype in which she possesses.

             Emilia becomes that of a dupe soon after she's introduced and this trait plays an important role in Shakespeare's plot. In Act 3, Scene 2 the reader learns that Iago desires Desdemona's handkerchief, so when she drops it, Emilia takes notice and tucks it away to give to her husband: "What he will do with it, Heaven knows, not I; I nothing but to please his fantasy." (3.2.296) Little does she know that Iago plans to plant the handkerchief in Cassio's bedroom in order to provide some evidence to Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Emilia also comes across as a dupe when she says; "I will be hanged if some eternal villain, Some busy and insinuating rogue, Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, Have not devised this slander. I will be hanged else" (4.2.129-132) because the man responsible for putting the idea of jealousy into Othello's head is her husband, who just so happens to be standing next to her, and she had a hand in creating this myth by stealing the handkerchief. Towards the conclusion of the play Emilia is proven to be a dupe yet again when Othello reveals to her that it was Iago that told him of the affair between Cassio and Desdemona.