Learn all about Othello, ask questions, and get the answers you need. • It was then performed in the Jacobean Era (James I). Othello – Context. In Cinthio's story, Cassio is married and his wife is a prominent character. 1 of 10. that they speak i' the nose thus?..." The Willow Song sung by Desdemona predates Shakespeare’s play. Lay down my soul at stake. This line is either a reference to this story or evidence of an intended character that Shakespeare either never wrote or removed from the plot. Othello- Historical Context study guide by Sarah_Judd includes 14 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. On one level, adultery in Othello can be seen as an individual infidelity that destroys both Iago and Othello as jealousy is incited in Othello by the promptings of his only confidante, "honest Iago." Historical Context and Race in Othello. He spoke about how he and 'his people' would "rather lose their lives than put up any disgrace in the behalf of their women." Word Count: 640. In this time, Cyprus was a Venetian port but Rhodes was not, though both were under almost constant siege by the Ottoman Turks. The message throughout was that women should not marry men from other nations and is based off a true story in 1508. Shakespeare’s source material for the plot was Giraldi Cinthio's Hecatommithi, published in 1565. In Othello Shakespeare represents a society in many ways fundamentally different from his own, and rather than minimizing or obscuring these differences he explores them in a politically creative way. 2 Othello is set against the backdrop of the wars between Venice and Turkey that raged in the latter part of the sixteenth century. The play takes place in Cyprus, which was a Venetian outpost that was attacked and conquered by Turkey in 1571; Venice was hence at war with Turkey, and war rages throughout most of the play; If any wretch have put this in your head, Learn more. What is the name of the Moroccan ambassador who visited Queen Elizabeth? The context of Othello. Info on King&'s Men, The Globe and the play. Charge up your understanding of Othello. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, an eclipse of the sun is an omen of misfortune on earth. "green-eyed monster..."  The struggle inspired intense prejudice and suspicion that lasted well after the Moors were overthrown. Maybe Iago takes his being passed over for promotion to extremes—but maybe not. But it is a love constituted by neither lust nor an attraction to inner beauty. Shakespeare was also familiar with fifteenth and early sixteenth century accounts of wars between Venice and Turkey, during which time Venice regained temporary control of Cyprus. Despite the differences, textual commentators generally agree that the folio edition was printed from a copy of the First Quarto, together with corrections and additions from some reliable manuscript, such as an acting company prompt-book. In the same way, the depiction of Desdemona as the flower of Venetian society, the ideal of virtuous fidelity, is perhaps less a description of Venetian gender expectations than it is a depiction of woman designed to allay English fears that miscegenation (procreation between a man and a woman of different races) would threaten the order and culture of English society. Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. Shakespeare's Globe Skip to main content. First seen in England in the writings of Sir Thomas Moor and Sir Thomas Wyatt. The question of Othello’s race is also up for debate. | Should yawn at alteration....". Othello is a racial ‘outsider’ in Venice but Shakespeare stresses his noble origins and his power and status as a mercenary general. At the same time, they can be challenging to directly teach to students and … While there are a number of issues in Othello that twentieth-century audiences can connect with (crimes of passion are not new to today's society; just turn on the evening news), modern audiences often come away from Othello feeling uncomfortable with the racism they see in the treatment Othello receives from the other characters in the play. "the Moor..."  10 months ago. Othello was written in the Jacobean era (during the time when King James I was monarch). It is agreed by most scholars that Shakespeare wrote Othello in 1604, but some have suggested a composition date as early as 1603 or even 1602. There's no man happy; the purest of their wives Shakespeare’s source material for the plot was Giraldi Cinthio's Hecatommithi, published in 1565. Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones”— Yet from its first staging to the present, Othello has also been among the few Shakespearean plays to be repeatedly staged to enthusiastic audiences, not only … moral evil, the devil, decay, dishonesty etc. English Literature; Othello; A2/A-level; Edexcel; Created by: Kate McGowan; Created on: 14-09-17 22:56; What was the racial stereotype of black men in the 1600s? ", "Prithee, tonight He never whimpered, whined or blubbered; in his rage he never mouthed or ranted.”. Context: Cassio, lieutenant to Othello, the noble Moor of Venice, has gained the position that Iago, ensign to Othello, had hoped for. Using Critical Lenses to Analyze Othello: Historical, Cultural and Feminist Context November 12th, 2014. While getting familiar with the play, the readers see a dramatic love story of Othello and Desdemona. Sing willow, willow, willow. Very popular. These debates have played themselves out in stagings of the play: the role of Othello has been filled by actors of various races, including white actors in blackface. Othello was crafted at the dawn of the 17th century, shaped by complex social and geopolitical issues that new historicist critics, who seek to place literary works within a historical framework, have recently sought to unravel. Lay by these:—(50) Podcast View all Podcast ... His season opened with Othello (“considerable discrimination and effect,” said the Coventry Herald) and was a great success. Tragedy-According to Aristotle, a tragedy must be about characters that begin as good or noble and who fall from grace as Othello does. Shakespeare's Othello is set in Venice and Cyprus, but the Venetian society's fear of cultural difference, manifested in its racism, may be viewed as an indicator of Elizabethan England's concern to maintain its cultural identity in the face of extensive exploration and initial colonization of the New World. In one sense, this exclamation continues his power and control to the end. Context Elizabethan Era (Elizabeth I, 1558-1603) General • Othello was written after 1601 and before 1604 and was therefore created in the last years of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. What is the meaning of Othello's expression "goats and monkeys!" The Moors, how they were regarded-Regarded as exotic and strange, lawless and barbarous. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. One of the stories in the volume concerns an unnamed Moor of Venice, his new bride “Disdimona,” and his villainous Ensign. Basis of Othello- Altered Story: Shakespeare took the story and altered it for the English audience. This is especially prevalent when Iago states ‘the old black ram tupping the white ewe.’ The adjective old gives way to the idea that Othello is haggard- an unattractive use of imagery. Lay on my bed my wedding sheets. Ira Aldridge, the most famous figure in Black theater history, played Othello with Edmund Kean as his Iago. The story of “Othello” has its roots in the historical events and cultural atmosphere of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It was a revival of artistic and intellectual endeavor. Othello – Context . Mystery and morality plays; Permanent theatres; Design of theatres. It was a common practice of playwrights at the time to borrow or lift plot ideas from other preexisting stories, and Shakespeare was no exception to the rule. Just hoping to give you a general understanding of these concepts. In contrast, the First Quarto contains about 13 lines or partial lines not found in the First Folio. A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus...."  Account; Donate; What’s on; Menu. Is foul as slander....", "“The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, The plot of a tragedy must follow the chain of events leading to a character’s fall . Assertive women were considered a threat to the social order. And just as we are well aware of the racism in our own society, it may be that Shakespeare was writing about the racism in his own society, not just the racism in the Venetian society depicted in the play. The exercise of authority; The faith setting of Shakespeare’s plays; The nature of humanity; Astronomy and astrology. View all Topics . Prithee, hie thee; he'll come anon:— Within Othello, Shakespeare questions the meaning behind heroism and admirability in the context of a Venetian society, in which the play is set. PLAY. Sing all a green willow must be my garland. But in another sense, perhaps he cannot articulate his motives because they are the deep and unidentified racist feelings of his society in general. "I learned it in England, where indeed they are most(70) Iago in this scene heavily focuses on Othello’s race- this within the historical context would give the audience a preconceived idea of what he is like connoting themes such as otherness and darkness. This one opens a comparison between England in Shakespeare's day and England as it is today. Othello: A Level. The Turk and the Moor, two traditional symbols of cultural values different from those of Western culture, threaten Venetian society but may be read as the embodiments of Elizabethan England's fear that its cultural values will be lost through colonization and the intermingling of different cultural values. Historical Context of Othello . Hark, who is't that knocks?..." Created by. Rhodes and Cypress are islands located in the Adriatic Sea. The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her moans; This battle brought together the vast majority of all galley ships that then existed in the Mediterranean region, and the results of the engagement were decisive. Remember; "Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse "Why, masters, have your instruments been in Naples, It was a tradition in Elizabethan times for a newlywed couple to display their bedsheets in public. Such harsh consequences led to frequent paranoia, also called horn-madness because of the metaphorical horns that supposedly sprout from the cuckold's brow. As a ‘modern’ reader and with regards to historical context, one can understand why Shakespeare’s Othello challenges the ‘norms’ of society. The full entry reads: "By the King's Majesty's Players. Shakespeare & his ambiguous literature allows for many opportunities of discussion! But Othello is not only a great fighter; he is also a great speaker. Othello was written in the Jacobean era (during the time when King James I was monarch). As Othello reflects, the “affrighted globe/Should yawn at alteration.” The alteration—or change—Othello speaks of is Desdemona’s death. Let nobody blame him; his scorn I approve Othello is set amidst these wars, particularly the 1570 Turkish invasion of Cypress. For if she be not honest, chaste, and true, This would certainly seem to be the perfect opportunity to reveal his anger at the loss of promotion and his jealous suspicions of Othello. Test. Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,(45) Most significantly, when Othello was first written and performed, the African slave trade was just beginning to be known and practiced in London, and this too is part of the play's ancestry. Lieutenant – Cassio is promoted to this rank by Othello. Racism and woman's unchecked sexuality are themes that resonate throughout the play and ignite the most confusion and fear when they are conceptualized as the offspring of a union between Desdemona and Othello. The events of Othello take place around the year 1500, when the Venetian and Ottoman empires were in conflict over the cities, islands, and ports of the Mediterranean. Heritage visits . Desdemona's own father cannot believe his daughter would be one. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. Using Critical Lenses to Analyze Othello: Historical, Cultural and Feminist Context November 12th, 2014. More on Astronomy; The Renaissance; Theatrical context. In each of his plays, one can find both serious meditations and dirty jokes. Aldridge’s performance made a deep impression in America and abroad. The opposition of black and white imagery runs throughout the play and is a marker between Othello and his European peers, but the difference is never specifically racist, as the modern reader would expect it to be. The moors were Muslim (Othello converted to Christianity). The primary source for Othello is a short story from Gli Hecatommithi, a collection of tales published in 1565 by Geraldi Cinthio. A cuckolded man (a man whose wife is cheating on him) faced both social humiliation and ruined credit. Have You Not Read of Some Such Thing? HISTORICAL CONTEXT. Othello - Historical Context Notes When Othello was written the English were becoming more and more aware of the existence of other races in the world besides themselves As Loomba explains in 'Othello and the radical question' (1998), Venice was seen by Londoners as a cosmopolitan society and a place for female devience. It is widely speculated that Shakespeare knew Leo, and that Othello is based off of him Sex and Sexual Stories in Othello, Iago's Alter Ego: Race as Projection in Othello, That's She That Was Myself: Not-So-Famous Last Words and Some Ends of Othello, The Adaptation of a Shakespearean Genre: Othello and Ford's 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, Theatricality and Textuality: The Example of Othello, Voice Potential: Language and Symbolic Capital in Othello. Historical Context of Othello. 2. Othello Historical & Literary Context Introduction to Renaissance Literature: Characterizing Authors and Works 11:40 Introduction to Shakespeare: Life and Works 16:45 Find full texts with expert analysis in our extensive library. However natural a Black Othello seems, at that time, it was a novelty to audiences for whom the tradition of a Berber chieftain went virtually unchallenged. Sing willow, willow, willow” Dudaeva/Shutterstock Although questions were being asked about the social hierarchy, women remained in subordinate roles, their lives controlled by patriarchy during the Renaissance. Thus, Iago makes his fiercest appeal when he cries out to Brabantio: "you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans" (I.i. Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,(45) Flashcards. Match. Terms in this set (14) The Moors, basics-From north Africa. wife..."  To me, Iago's actions and Othello's reactions are integral to the play's military context. Log in here. Powerpoint teaching resource for Othello's social and historical context. In the nineteenth century, Edmund Kean was described by Samuel Taylor Coleridge as having brought “flashes of lightning” to the interpretation of Shakespeare. See in text (Act V - Scene II). ). The bloodstains on the sheets would serve as proof of the bride’s preserved virginity. 4.5 / 5. This video offers an overview of the social and historical issues of race, sex, reputation and geography. English Language & Literature; Othello; A2/A-level; Edexcel; Created by: lanahall; Created on: 06-10-15 08:56; General Information. The audience knows full well that Desdemona has not been unfaithful to Othello. Women expected to be ruled by men, as Desdemona’s submission to Othello demonstrates. And call thy husband hither....", "I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, ", "Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse See in text (Act I - Scene I). Renaissance men often suspected their wives of adultery because of the stigma around being a "cuckold." Sing willow, willow, willow; Othello's anxiety, though unfair, is understandable. What reason does Iago give for his hatred of Othello. The story of “Othello” has its roots in the historical events and cultural atmosphere of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The sharp, nasal tone of the instruments sounds similar to that of a man whose nose is affected by syphilis. Othello was first printed in quarto form in 1622, and then in the First Folio of 1623; however, there are many variations between the texts of Q1 and F1. The Moorish Ambassador and the Banishment of Africans. Jealous, Angry, short-tempered. (15) Sing all a green willow; Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom. While getting familiar with the play, the readers see a dramatic love story of Othello and Desdemona. We’ve discounted annual subscriptions by 50% for COVID-19 relief—Join Now! Got it! Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse! William Shakespeare. Othello- Historical Context. In regards to historical context, Shakespeare’s work was written to question common beliefs, assumptions and politics upon which Elizabethan Society was founded (in a true renaissance way!). 3.4. sf02. Othello The most influential writer in all of English literature, William Shakespeare was born in 1564 to a successful middle-class glove-maker in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. See in text (Act IV - Scene II). The earliest recorded performance of the play was that by the King’s Men “in the Banketinge house at Whit Hall” on November 1, 1604. See in text (Act I - Scene III). Othello’s real defect (or at least the real defect in Iago’s mind and plan) is the Moor’s insecurity over his appearance. Historical Q&As . Leo was a black man who had been brought up in Barbary. • It was then performed in the Jacobean Era (James I). The Fascinating Stage History of Othello According to the Accounts of the Master of the Revels (published in 1842), Othello was performed in 1604. Women had few legal rights. Like many of Shakespeare’s plays, Othello is set in Italy. The action of Othello likely takes place one year after the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus, during the Battle of Lepanto. In Shakespeare’s time, women did not enjoy the same freedoms that they do today. The primary source for Othello is a short story from Gli Hecatommithi, a collection of tales published in 1565 by It assumes that a text cannot be understood without the context of the point in history in which it was created/written about and the study of … Othello > Historical Context AO3 > Flashcards Flashcards in Historical Context AO3 Deck (33) ← Previous 1 2 Next → Loading flashcards... 1 The Renaissance Renaissance means 'Rebirth'. Othello is possibly the most famous literary exploration of the warping powers of jealousy and suspicion. The play takes place in Cyprus, which was a Venetian outpost that was attacked and conquered by Turkey in 1571; Venice was hence at war with Turkey, and war rages throughout most of the play; Trade between countries was on the rise in 16th Century Europe, so … Lay by these:—(50) As some people in Shakespeare's time may have felt, and as some people in modern times may feel, the society that fails to limit the sexual activity of women runs the risk of losing a paternal identification—we can never be certain who the father is in cases of infidelity—but also losing cultural identity in miscegenation. Sing willow, willow, willow; From the eleventh to the fifteenth century, Catholics battled to re-conquer Spain from the Islamic Arabs and Berbers, or Moors, who had successfully occupied it since the 900s. What he has blundered into in ignorance is swiftly avenged by powerful and unstoppable forces. Hide Show resource information. Podcast. Discuss the importance of race in Othello. General – Othello is the General of the Venetian army. The events of Othello take place around the year 1500 when the Venetian and Ottoman empires were in conflict over the cities, islands, and ports of the Mediterranean.