Time and Place in Othello

Time and Place in Othello

1. Aristotle suggested that Tragedies should have unities of Time and Place. They should take place over a single period of time, in a single place

2. Other than in the first act, Othello's tragedy is set entirely in Cyprus

3. Even though the play proceeds over a number of weeks, it appears to the audience as more or less a single day as time progresses that way.

4. Starts at Venice after midnight

   • Senate meeting at dawn
     • Morning storm in cyprus
       • Afternoon arrival
         • Early evening drinking party
           • Night time murder

5. The impression of an abstract day unfolds