orientalism

ORIENTALISM

• Coined by Edward Said in 1978.
• Describes Western cultural tradition depicting "the East" as an exotic "Other."
• Prevalent during the 18th and 19th centuries; narratives are older.
• Conflates various cultures into a totalizing idea of “the East” and “the West.”
• Exoticization can be attractive (e.g., sexual liberation) or frightening (e.g., threats to culture).
• European encounters with the Ottoman Empire crucial for early Orientalists' views on East-West conflict.

OTTOMAN EMPIRE (1299-1922) & EUROPE

• Key historical milestones:
  • 1354: Empire invades Balkans.
  • 1453: Conquest of Constantinople.
  • 1460: Conquest of mainland Greece.
  • 1830-32: Greek War for Independence.
  • 1922: Dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.

EXPANSION OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

• Major acquisitions periods:
  • 1300-1359: Initial expansion.
  • 1359-1451: Continued acquisitions.
  • 1451-1481: Mehmed II’s expansion.
  • 1512-1520: Selim I's expansions.
  • 1520-1566: Süleyman I the Magnificent.
  • 1566-1683: Further acquisitions.
• Greatest extent of the empire 1683-1699.

INDIA & BRITISH IMPERIALISM

• Timeline:
  • 1600: Establishment of East India Trading Company (EIC).
  • 1615: EIC acquires first territory in Mumbai.
  • 1857-58: First Indian War of Independence.
  • 1858-1947: End of EIC rule; British Crown takes over (British Raj).
  • 1947: Partition into the Union of India & Dominion of Pakistan.

LORD BYRON & JOHN POLIDORI

• Lord Byron associated with Orientalist themes.
• John Polidori’s "The Vampyre" influenced by Orientalist tradition.