I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,
Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other,
Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 4, Scene 2. Desdemona’s maid Emilia, wife of the nefarious Iago, vouches for Desdemona’s honesty to Othello. Standing up for the sisterhood against the corrupt brotherhood, she stakes her soul on her mistress’s goodness. This is after Othello, his mind poisoned and corrupted by Iago, questions Emilia about Desdemona and Cassio’s relationship. Emilia shows her loyalty to Desdemona and commitment to protecting her reputation.