Colonialism in OTHELLO

1. Colonialism in OTHELLO By: David Pichardo

2. What is Colonialism??? • Colonialism is the extension of a nation's sovereignty over territory beyond its borders by the establishment of either settler or exploitation colonies in which indigenous populations are directly ruled, displaced, or exterminated. Colonizing nations generally dominate the resources, labor, and markets of the colonial territory, and may also impose socio-cultural, religious, and linguistic structures on the indigenous population

3. Who is Othello??? • Othello the Moor is the main character of William Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello. The character is significant as a hero, as in Shakespeare’s day, racism was widespread and non-white characters such as Othello were generally portrayed as ignorantor evil. He is also an unusual hero in that he is afflicted with a condition that causes fits of rage and delusion. The tragedy of the character is that even though he is a brave and brilliant man, he brings about his own death by allowing ego and fear to rule him.

4. The Moors • Elizabethan attitudes toward Moors and others of different races was very different. • It is difficult to determine how many English people had actually even ever seen someone with a different color skin than their own.

5. Did you know… • It is known that in 1596, Queen Elizabeth I ordered the banishment of ten "black moors" from her country. Shortly after this, English prisoners being held in Spain and Portugal were traded for "black moors."

6. Montano • Montano, the governor of Cyprus, enters with some gentlemen. He speaks about storms at sea. He wants to know if the Turks have been harmed or if Cyprus is still in danger. One of the gentlemen tells him that the Turks' ship has indeed been ruined.