An Introduction to Othello

Mrs. Shean

Setting: Venice

• Venice– Because of its location,

Venice was known for its commerce (import and export).

– This is the perfect setting for Othello because of the ethnic tension one would find in a city of trade.

Setting: Cypress

CypressVenice

• In the play, Cypress is an island occupied by Italy; it was a precious commodity because of its placement in the Mediterranean Sea.

Characters

• Othello: A Moore from Morocco (black), a loyal officer in the Venetian Army; he repeatedly proved himself in battle. He married Desdemona (white).

• Desdemona: the wife of Othello; she thinks for herself unlike many women of her day; she is honest and loyal to Othello

• Iago: The ensign of Othello, the antagonist of the play; he plots and schemes against the other characters for his own selfish gratification

• Emilia: Iago’s wife; Desdemona’s attendant• Brabantio: The father of Desdemona• Cassio: 2nd in command to Othello; loyal friend and battle

strategy advisor.• Roderigo: a gentleman, he wants Desdemona for his

wife

Basic Situation• Othello and Desdemona are an interracial

couple; they are unique during this time period, yet the world is not ready for them. Their tragic fate is foreshadowed at the outset of the play.

Themes• Race (Brabantio, Roderigo, and

Iago use derogatory stereotypes when gossiping about Othello.)

• Class (Upper class characters have a sense of entitlement; in other words, they think that they should receive promotions or other favors simply because they are born into a privileged household.)

• Gender (Iago often criticizes the female gender saying that they are all disloyal)

Puns and Metaphors• Pun: a play on words that sound the same but

that have different meanings. – Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, accuses Desdemona

of “treason of the blood.” On the one hand, he is saying that Desdemona betrayed her closest blood relative, her father. On the other hand, he is saying that marrying a black man will contaminate her bloodline or offspring.

• Metaphor: an object or idea is expressed as if it were something else; something with which it shares common features. – Iago articulates his scheme: “I will turn her virtue into

pitch.” Pitch is a metaphor for what Iago will transform Desdemona’s goodness into. Iago wants to turn her goodness into pitch (a black, smelly substance that is extremely sticky).

Homework

• Go to the library and checkout Othello• Read pages xxiv-xl (Shakespeare’s Life &

Shakespeare’s Theater)• Take notes on the following:

– Birth and death dates– Education– Acting and writing career– An overview of the intellectual and historical time (literary output,

scientific discoveries, London)– The conspiracy behind Shakespeare’s authorship– Playhouse reputation: Why did playhouses have to be built

outside of London? What type of neighborhood might you find a playhouse?

– Characteristics of the public theatre (architecture, shape, seating, snacks, yard, stage, props, trapdoor, women actors?)