# Emilia — The Two Noble Kinsmen character guide > Emilia in The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Emily, Queen Emilia, Emilia Poor wench, Emilia Men, Emilia Half-sights **First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-i ## Snapshot Hippolyta's sister, whose cool appraisal of both kinsmen's faces and fortunes makes her the prize two cousins will destroy each other to win. ## Who they are Emilia stands beside Theseus and Hippolyta at their wedding, then quietly refuses to attend the tournament that will decide her future, insisting she would rather never have been born than cause harm to either suitor. Her long speech weighing Arcite's gentle visage against Palamon's menacing brow reveals a woman who reads men carefully yet feels no urgency to choose. That reluctance — half modesty, half dread — makes her the still center of a story driven by male violence, and her divided sympathy keeps the audience from rooting simply for one knight. ## Relationships ### [Palamon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/palamon) _romantic_ Emilia is the object of Palamon's love and desire, though she is conflicted and initially uninterested. ### [Arcite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/arcite) _romantic_ Arcite is deeply in love with Emilia and fights Palamon for her hand. ### [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/theseus) _family_ Emilia is the sister of Hippolyta, Theseus's wife, making Theseus her brother-in-law. ### [Pirithous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/pirithous) _friendship_ Pirithous is a close friend of Theseus and a respectful acquaintance of Emilia. ### [Palamon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/palamon) _romantic_ Emilia is the object of Palamon's love and desire, though she is conflicted and initially uninterested. ### [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/theseus) _family_ Emilia is the sister of Hippolyta, Theseus's wife, making Theseus her brother-in-law. ### [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/theseus) _family_ Emilia is the sister of Hippolyta, Theseus's wife, making Theseus her brother-in-law. ### [Palamon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/palamon) _romantic_ Emilia is the object of Palamon's love and desire, though she is conflicted and initially uninterested. ### [Pirithous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/pirithous) _friendship_ Pirithous is a close friend of Theseus and a respectful acquaintance of Emilia. ### [Arcite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/arcite) _romantic_ Arcite is deeply in love with Emilia and fights Palamon for her hand. ## In the story ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i) Emilia shows compassion to the third queen and promises to advocate for her, even vowing not to marry if Theseus refuses to help. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii) Remembers her childhood friend Flavina, arguing that the love between maidens is purer than romantic love; remains steadfast in her belief. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-v) Accepts Arcite as her servant and promises kindness if he is faithful. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i) Referenced as the object of both cousins' affections; Arcite praises her beauty and her favor toward him. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v) Present with Theseus, she praises the dance as excellent. ### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vi) Kneels to beg mercy for the princes, arguing that Theseus's oath was rash and reminding him of his promise. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii) Emilia is torn between Palamon and Arcite, first favoring Arcite's beauty, then Palamon's manly face, lamenting her own indecision and the impending bloodshed. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i) Emilia prays to Diana, asking to remain a virgin or to be given to the truest lover; she receives a sign of a rose that falls. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii) Emilia is conflicted and distressed, unable to watch the combat directly, and later sorrowful when Arcite wins, feeling pity for Palamon. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iv) Present as Arcite dies; she closes his eyes and vows to give the day to tears. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters/emilia - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/characters