Is Emilia the real hero? Cont...

Although Emilia's deed of stealing Desdemona's handkerchief made her able to defend Desdemona and reveal Iago's evil character, she was still responsible for the setting up of proof against Desdemona. She does not show heroic characteristics when Desdemona really needs the help but instead plays the hero when Desdemona is already dead. We see her intentionally take the handkerchief from her mistress and show no guilt for taking it when Othello becomes very angry at Desdemona for losing it.
3.4.51-88
Othello:That's a fault...Fetch me the handkerchief. My mind misgives.
Desdemona: I say it is not lost.
Othello: The handkerchief!

After Othello rudely accuses Desdemona, thinking she has given the handkerchief to Cassio as a token, Emilia does not confess her act of stealing the handkerchief. Of course this would have faltered Othello's unjust suspicions against Desdemona, but Emilia does not confess; not until it is too late.

3.4.93
Emilia: Is he this man jealous?

Instead of feeling guilty after witnessing the fight between Othello and Desdemona over the handkerchief and knowing full well she had a part in provoking Othello's anger, she asks Desdemona if Othello is jealous. Although these feelings she has picked up from him are in fact true, she seems to be changing the subject of the handkerchief so that Desdemona will not be suspicious. After the fight scene, Desdemona might have then questioned Emilia as to whether she knew where the handkerchief was but to avoid this, Emilia questions Desdemona about Othello's behaviour. It is obvious throughout the play, that Emilia knows Desdemona needs the handkerchief and knows she is being falsely accused for having misplaced it. However, she does nothing  to help Desdemona, only when it is too late and she is no longer living. In this way, she does not show heroic qualities until it is too late to save Desdemona.

Emilia plays the role of the hero at the end of the play by revealing Iago's villainess hand in the death of Desdemona. Without her hand in the devising of 'proof' against Desdemona, Emilia would not have been able to reveal the truth entirely at the end of the play. Despite this heroic act on her part, it would have been more effective if she had confessed her part in the stealing of the handkerchief earlier in the play rather than once Desdemona was already dead. Emilia is the most heroic character for confessing and taking a stand against her husband but does not fit the typical hero as she does not 'save' anyone, not even herself.