ACT 4 Scene 3

DESDEMONA
Would you ever do such a thing for all the world?

EMILIA
Why, wouldn’t you?

DESDEMONA
By the light of heaven, no, I would not!

EMILIA
I wouldn’t either, by daylight. It would be easier to do it in the dark.

DESDEMONA
Could you really do such a thing, for all the world?

EMILIA
The world’s huge. It’s a big prize for such a small sin.

DESDEMONA
I don’t think you would.

EMILIA
Actually I think I would, and then I’d undo it after I did it. I wouldn’t do it for a nice ring, or fine linen, or pretty gowns or petticoats or hats. But for the whole world? Who wouldn’t cheat on her husband to make him king? I’d risk my soul for that.

DESDEMONA
I’d never do such a bad thing, not for the whole world!

EMILIA
Why, a bad action is just a wrong in this world, but when you’ve won the whole world, it’s a wrong in your own world, so you can make it right then.

DESDEMONA
I don’t think any woman like that exists.

EMILIA
Yes, a dozen of them—as many as there are women in the world, in fact. But I do think it’s the husband’s fault if we wives cheat on them. For instance, our husbands may stop sleeping with us, and give it out to other women instead. Or they may get insanely jealous, and keep us from going anywhere. Or let’s say they hit us, or cut back on the money they give us out of spite. We have feelings. We may be able to forgive them, but we want to get back at them too. Husbands need to know that their wives are human