OTHELLO: She was false as water.
EMILIA: Thou art rash as fire to say
That she was false: O, she was heavenly true!
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 5, Scene 2. Emilia shows her loyalty to Desdemona by immediately standing up for her mistress and challenging Othello’s statement that his wife was false. Protector of her friend’s honor, Emilia continues to defend the reputation of her mistress throughout this scene. Othello and Emilia use two similes as they trade blows – "false as water," "rash as fire." It is ironic that Othello should call his wife false, since he murdered an innocent woman on the most circumstantial and hearsay evidence.