English Lit "Othello" - Context

What did the Renaissance mark a revival in and what does it mean for “Othello” ?

• Interest in literature, art, philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome

• Influenced Othello as it is a tragedy which explores a noble hero’s downfall due to a fatal flaw

What was Cyprus like during “Othello” ?

• Furthest outpost of Christianity

• Isolated

• Vulnerable

• Fought over by the Venetians and Islamic Ottomans

How does Elizabeth’ I reign facing challenges with Catholic Spain link to “Othello” ?

Iago’s manipulation can reflect the fears of the ‘other’ and the threat by those who were different in religion, race or nationality

How was rape and adultery seen as in this ‘patriarchal’ establishment ?

Crime against the mans reputation

What was considered when a women would marry without the consent of her father ?

‘Theft of male property’

What keyword was used to describe Venice during the 16th and 17th Century ?

Cosmopolitan - place where memebers of different races commerced

What was Venice known as in the 16th and 17th Century ?

cultural meeting of power, romance and wealth but also a place of sexual immorality and hedonism

How were black men portrayed at in dramas during this period and how is it seen in Othello ?

• Negatively

• Othello is portrayed as the stereotypical ‘black man’ when corrupted by Iago - he is lustful and murdererous

• However, Iago being white and being the villain suggests that good and evil is not tied to exclusivity

Why is Othello viewed as an ‘outsider’ during this time ?

While it was common to see black people in early modern Venice, English people would not have most or any contact with black people at the time