Context in Othello

Context in Othello

1. Race

   • Othello was the first major/heroic role not given to a white man
   • The term "Moor" was used loosely by Shakespeare because it held many meanings
     • Modern day audiences give the term a much more defined and racist meaning, causing some modern readers of Othello to be shocked by the volume of racism used by Shakespeare
   • Shakespeare uses Iago to voice the stereotypical views of black people in Venetian society at the time

2. Women

   • Women during this time period had very few rights and weren't allowed to make decisions for themselves, especially during the Renaissance
     • Their fathers would be in charge of deciding the important things in their lives then when a husband was chosen for them the 'ownership' was passed to them
     • First major change for women in Elizabethan times was the crowning of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558
     • This plays a key role in Iagos and Emilias relationship as he tells her what to do and she follows in order to make him happy

3. Europe (Venice vs Cyprus)

   • Ottoman Wars 11463-79 and 1570-73
     • Cyprus was the main outpost used by Venice therefore most of the play took place there
     • Mainly between Venice and Turkey
     • War provides a suitable backdrop for a tragedy because of the ongoing war

4. Religion

   • Othello and Desdemona could loosely be seen as Adam and Eve, inevitably leaving Iago to be the serpent that deceives and manipulates them

5. Theatre

   • Othello was the first play created by Shakespeare set over a time frame longer than 24 hours
     • He set them over 24 hours to fit with The Globe's open roof and used the sky as a symbol for the time within the play
     • As it was longer than 24 hours Shakespeare used the characters dialogue to inform the audience where abouts the play had moved to