Othello Context notes

James I

Jacobean Society

Ideas about race

In 1601, there was a draft proclaimation asking for the deportation of Black people from England - the justification being that they were draining national resources during a time of ‘dearth’ or hardship (the rebellions again)

Black people were seen as being lower on the Great Chain of Being - they were considered as having animalistic qualities & being of a primitive nature, also as being exotic & mysterious yet savage, evil and highly sexual creatures - linked to witchcraft, due to the colour of their skin

They were primarily considered as only being fit to be slaves; making Othello’s entire character (born of high status & highly respected) a stark contrast to society’s expectations
There's a high cross over between race and gender within the play - as during the 1600s, black men were considered as being able to ‘contaminate’ white women’s chastity and purity.

Religious Conflict

Due to the Reformation and Counter-reformation movements within the time period, there was heavy religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants - due to Queen Elizabeth I and James I, being Protestant monarchs

Gender & Patriarchy

Women were viewed as objects and, due to the heavily patriarchal nature of Jacobean and Elizabethan society they were lower on the chain of being than men were; women went from being objects of their fathers to being belongings of their husbands. As part of being seen as objects, women were expected also to be obedient; which makes Desdemona going against her father to marry Othello, scandalous within Jacobean society

Further to this, many men considered women as being promiscuous; which created a threat to masculinity.

Men would have high ranking positions within society - Dukes, Generals, Lords, Senators; while women would remain at home and carry out domestic roles

Depictions of Venice/ Venician society

Venice was a multinational hub in the 16th Century; Contarini noted Venice had a ‘wonderful concourse of strange and forraine people… of the farthest and remotest nations’

There was religious-based conflict, between the Turkish and the Venicians

Literary context

Cinthio

The original idea for the plot of the play, came from Cinthio’s Gli Hecatommithi & was published in 1565. However the plot of Cinthio’s play varies, as although Disdemona's (Desdemona) husband (Othello - has no name in Cinthio's version) is still manipulated by his ensign (Iago - no name in Cinthio’s version) but the ensign's motivation is lust for Disdemona. Also the characters of Brabantio and Roderigo did not exist.