Chapter 3 Flashcards
In what way does Othello open with an ethnocentric atmosphere, and is this racial malevolence Venetian or English?
Othello reflects the diverse nature of the Mediterranean in the 16th century, with the Venetian army led by an African Moor (Othello), a Florentine (Cassio), and possibly a Spaniard (Iago). This diversity mirrors the multi-cultural atmosphere of Venice at the time.
Describe the character of Cassio and his role in representing the admired traits in Venice.
Cassio embodies the admired traits in Venice – good manners, wit, urbanity, and sophistication. He represents the civilized Venetian ideal. This contrasts with Othello, who lacks urbanity but is honored for his martial heroism.
What is the significance of Venice as a setting in Othello?
Answer:
Venice serves as the backdrop for Othello’s achievements and his relationship with Desdemona. The city’s multi-cultural atmosphere is reflected, with tensions existing despite peaceful coexistence. The portrayal captures the anxieties and complexities of the Renaissance view of the exotic ‘other.’
How does Othello’s relationship with himself and those around him reflect Renaissance imaginings of the exotic?
Answer:
Othello’s relationships mirror Renaissance perceptions of the exotic, seen as both glamorous and dangerous. The play reflects the societal anxiety of the time towards the ‘other,’ exploring the complex mixture of racial malevolence in both Venetian and English contexts.
What conflicting accounts of Venice’s treatment of ethnic minorities existed during that period?
Answer:
Accounts varied; some described Venice as ghettoizing its ethnic minorities, while others, like Thomas Coryate, portrayed a more integrated and racially diverse society. The multi-ethnic society in Venice created a sense of anxiety and blurred social boundaries.
In what way does Othello open with an ethnocentric atmosphere, and is this racial malevolence Venetian or English?
Answer:
The play begins with ethnocentric language, reflecting a profound abhorrence of ‘otherness’ in both Venetian and English contexts. Othello presents a complex mixture of racial malevolence, capturing the societal anxieties prevalent in both cultures during the Renaissance.
What prompts Othello’s mission to Cyprus, and what does this signify in the play?
Answer:
Othello is sent to Cyprus to repel a Turkish attack, as declared by the Duke in 1.3. This mission becomes a crucial plot point, shaping the events that unfold in the play.
What occurs in Act 2, scene 1, and why is it a turning point in the plot?
Answer:
Act 2, scene 1 represents a turning point with the introduction of strong gales, immediately following Iago’s soliloquy expressing his hatred for Othello. The violent wind foreshadows the domestic storm awaiting Othello and Desdemona in Cyprus.
What event disrupts the Turkish fleet’s plans in the play, and what historical event does it allude to?
Answer:
A providential tempest wrecks the Turkish fleet, echoing the historical event of the Invincible Armada’s defeat in September 1588. Critics suggest that Shakespeare conflated different sea battles in this scene, alluding to England’s triumph over the Armada and the Holy League’s 1572 victory against the Ottoman empire at Lepanto.
How does Othello equate the tempest with intense sexual satisfaction, and what does it reveal about his character?
Answer:
Othello associates the tempest with intense sexual satisfaction, expressing joy and desire for tranquility after the storm. This reveals Othello’s view of the erotic as a supreme form of romantic narrative, involving risk, violence, and a final release from desire.
Explain the Renaissance interpretation of Othello’s passage about the tempest and sexual satisfaction.
Answer:
In Renaissance Self-Fashioning, Stephen Greenblatt interprets Othello’s passage, explaining that death, a common Renaissance term for orgasm, suggests gratified desire and the longing for a final release from the dangerous violence and uncontrollable nature of both the tempest and physical love.
What historical events does Othello’s storm and bonfires evoke, and how are they more complex than a simple allusion to England’s triumph?
Answer:
While Othello’s storm and bonfires evoke England’s triumph over the Armada in 1588, they also conjure the Holy League’s 1572 triumph against the Ottoman empire at Lepanto. The scene is more complex, as Shakespeare likely had different sea battles in mind and merged them, creating a layered historical and symbolic reference.
In the imaginative geography of Othello, where does Cyprus stand, and what does it symbolize?
Answer:
Cyprus stands halfway between Italy and the Ottoman Empire in the imaginative geography of Othello. It symbolizes a geographical reflection of the Christian civilization of Europe on one side and the pagan barbarism of the rest of the Mediterranean world on the other, representing the poles between which Othello tragically finds himself torn.
What historical event may have influenced Shakespeare’s portrayal of Cyprus in Othello?
Answer:
Shakespeare likely drew inspiration from the 1570 battle of Famagusta, where the Turks attacked Cyprus, leading to the loss of the fortress of Famagusta to the Ottoman Empire in 1571. This historical context adds depth to the play’s setting.
How does Cyprus, as a setting, contribute to the themes of violence and conflict in Othello?
Answer:
Both Venice and Cyprus are impregnated with violence. Iago’s drinking song in Venice transforms into the clash of weapons in Cyprus, emphasizing the unsettled nature of both locations. In Cyprus, Othello’s crude language of lustful animals and his abuse of Desdemona parallel the violence present in the streets of Venice.
