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Othello

Othello. William Shakespeare. Plot. Set primarily in Cyprus (3 rd largest island in the Mediterranean Sea) Othello is presented as having a shaky standing in Venice , although he exudes bravery and good morals Desdemona, his wife, comes from a privileged background

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Othello

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  1. Othello William Shakespeare

  2. Plot • Set primarily in Cyprus (3rd largest island in the Mediterranean Sea) • Othello is presented as having a shaky standing in Venice, although he exudes bravery and good morals • Desdemona, his wife, comes from a privileged background • Iago is a manipulator and trouble-maker (arch-villain) • His anger stems from Othello choosing Cassio over him as his second in command • Convinces Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful – tragedy ensues • Themes: • Racism, love, jealousy, betrayal

  3. Historical Context Venetian-Turkish WarsThe Sub-Plot • Wars between Venice and Turkey that raged in the 16th century for ownership of land (naval battles) • Cyprus was a Venetian settlement attacked by the Turks in 1570 and conquered the following year

  4. Othello’s Race? • Othello’s “darkness” is alluded to many times in the play • Shakespeare and Elizabethans frequently described brunette or darker-than-average Europeans as “black” • Opposition of black and white imagery is a marker of difference between Othello and his European peers • Difference isn’t as racially specific as we may believe it to be

  5. List of Characters • Othello, the Moor (name given to the native inhabitants of the continent of Africa): A general in the Venetian military. • Desdemona: Othello’s wife and daughter of Brabantio. • Cassio: Othello’s lieutenant. • Iago: Othello’s ensign (officer of lowest rank) and Emilia’s husband. Antagonist of the play. • Emilia: Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maidservant • Brabantio: A Venetian senator, Desdemona’s father • Roderigo: an immoral Venetian, in love with Desdemona

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