Is Emilia the real hero?

Emilia, the behind the scenes wife of the villain Iago, is in many ways the hero of the story yet she also plays a part in the destruction of Othello's trust in Desdemona. When Iago tries to find 'proof' of Desdemona's disloyalty, he has Emilia blindly play a part in the devising of Desdemona's disloyalty. However, towards the end of the play when Desdemona has been killed, Emilia stands up and lets out the truth against her husband, a move he did not expect.

Throughout the play, Emilia is never close to her husband, Iago. She does not suspect him of foul play between Desdemona and Othello's marriage but she does know that there is someone who has upset their union and disturbed Othello's mind. Although she plays a part in the devising of proof against Desdemona, she does not have evil intentions against Desdemona but is merely trying to please her husband. Also, without her input in this, she would not have been able to reveal her husbands real character at the end of the play.
3.3. 315:
Iago: ...Give it me.
Emilia: What will you do with't, that you have been so earnest to have me filch it?
Iago: [Snatching it] Why, what's that to you?
Emilia: If it be not for some purpose of import, give't me again. Poor lady, she'll run mad when she lack it.
Iago: I have use for it. Go, leave me.

The relationship we see here between Iago and Emilia is far from an equal love and respect for each other. Emilia even asks for the handkerchief back as she knows Desdemona will miss it. With this knowledge of Iago's intention to use the handkerchief, at the end of the play when it is said by Othello that Iago had told him the handkerchief was proof against Desdemona's disloyalty, Emilia knows that there has been foul play on Iago's part. She understands who is the real villian and is able to reveal Iago's evil character.
5.2.209
Othello: 'Tis pitiful; but yet Iago knows that she and Cassio hath the act of shame... I saw it in his hand: it was a handkerchief...
Emilia: Oh God! O heavenly God!

At this line what Iago does not expect of Emilia happens. She reveals the truth about Iago and his plan to set up Desdemona. Although all does not end happily as Desdemona, Othello and Emilia are killed, Iago's crime does not go unpunished and unknown. In this way she is a hero as she sacrifices her own life to tell the truth about her husband.