Context Flashcards
Shakespeare’s sources for Othello…
-Comes from Gli Hecatommithi by Cinthio which are a collection of short stories written in Italian
-Tells the story of Disdemona(the only named character) and a moor captain
-The Moors ensign falls in love with Disdemona and when he is rejected, he threatens to tell the Moor that she has cheated on him with the corporal
-Moor kills Disdemona by beating her with a sand-filled stocking
-The moor and the ensign turn on each other and the former is tortured and then killed by Disdemonas relatives
What are the differences between Cinthios stories and Shakespeare’s Othello?
-Shakespeare’s Iago is far more ambiguous and therefore seems more evil than Cinthios ensign
-Gives more time to Iago’s soliloquies
-Seemed that Shakespeare wanted Iago to be bloodthirsty and merciless for seemingly no reason.
-Fleshes out the plot by using more characters, including Brabantio and Roderigo
-The addition of Brabantio adds more depth to Othello’s situation-Desdemona’s father being opposed to the marriage offers us another reason for Othello’s insecurities and may be why he succumbs to Iago’s manipulation so easily
-Having the addition of Roderigo allows further depth into Iagos character as it allows the audience to witness the web of authority Iago obtains.
Working class and upper class audience…
-Although the plays were enjoyed by high society like the Monarch, they were watched and loved by the working class
-‘Groundlings’=those who could not afford a seat and who would pay one penny to stand in the pit of the theatre.
-Whilst reading this from a critical and academic perspective, the plays were primarily written and produced for all
What is the point of comedic subplot in the play?
-To entertain the groundlings and lesser educated audience members
-Scenes serve to mimic and undermine the main plot but also to provide some comedic relief from the main plots intensity
-Not the case in Othello as the play remains sombre throughout, with an intense focus on Iagos manipulations and
Who originally played the role of Othello?
The role of Othello was almost undoubtedly first played by Richard Burbage, the leading actor in Shakespeare’s company.
How were female roles portrayed in Shakespeare’s time?
The cast would have been entirely male, including the female roles which were played by young boys.
Who was the first actor of African heritage to play Othello in Europe?
Ira Aldridge is the only actor of African heritage to have played Othello in Europe in the 19th century.
How did early portrayals of Othello differ in terms of race?
The role was taken by white men in make-up, such as English actor Edmund Kean who wore light brown make-up.
What does the casting of Othello by a white Englishman imply?
It alters our perception of race in the play and raises questions about Othello’s characterisation as a stereotype or a genuine depiction.
What concerns did Hugh Quarshie express about playing Othello?
He questioned whether a play written by a white Englishman for another white Englishman in blackface is a credible profile of a genuine black man.
(Playing Othello, British Library)
What is the title of the Bollywood adaptation of Othello?
The Bollywood version titled Omkara was produced by Indian director Vishal Bhardwaj in 2006.
What themes does Omkara explore?
By transposing the play to an Indian setting, it explores colourism, the caste system, and cultural and religious differences in India.
How did Patrick Stewart’s portrayal of Othello differ?
Patrick Stewart played Othello in an otherwise all-black performance in the United States in 1997.
What perspective do different adaptations of Othello provide?
They allow us to see the text from different perspectives and in a new light.
Where does Othello begin and where does the action move to?
Othello begins in Venice, but by Act II the action has moved to a Venetian war outpost in Cyprus.
What was Venice’s reputation in the 16th and 17th centuries?
Venice had a reputation as a cosmopolitan and diverse city, full of wealth and political stability.
Why was Venice significant to Shakespeare’s audience?
Venice was a rare example of a contemporary republican government, fascinating to Renaissance viewers due to the end of the Tudor era and uncertainty about succession.
What cultural diversity existed in Venice?
Venice was home to people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including immigrants like Othello who adopted Venetian values.
What was the economic situation in Venice during the 16th century?
Despite the Ottoman-Venetian Wars, Venice was bustling with trade and cultural exchange.
How did Venice’s geographical position affect its perception?
Venice was geographically familiar yet exotic, with close trading ties to North Africa and the Middle East.
What dual perception did Shakespeare’s audience have of Venice?
Venice was seen as both alluring and mystical, yet also a place on the edge of civilization and something to be feared.
How does Othello’s character reflect the audience’s perception of Venice?
Venetians fear Othello as Iago uses anti -black derogatory language to describe him yet the white Venetian character’s are fascinated by his backstory and experiences.
Quote for Desdemona linking to Venetian characters intrigue of Othello and his backstory…
Desdemona listens ‘with greedy ear’ to Othello’s speech detailing ‘the story of my life’.
Why did Shakespeare set Othello in Venice?
Venice is both familiar and exotic, making it an ideal setting for exploring English anxieties and preoccupations.
How did Andrew Hadfield describe Venice?
Andrew Hadfield called Venice ‘a critical utopian space’, a seemingly ideal society with underlying tensions.
Was Cyprus considered more or less civilised than venetian society?
-Even more removed from the English audience, both geographically and symbolically
-Whilst Venice sits at the edge of ‘civilisation’
How did society interpret Cyprus during this time?
-Cyprus was even more unknown, therefore more dangerous and closer to the Arab and Turkish world
-Therefore, the further the play is removed from venetian society the more civilisation and honour breakdown
How does Venetian society allow the exploration of?
-Interracial and intercultural encounters
e.g Venetians treatment of Othello, would of mirrored English peoples behaviour
True or false: There was a large minority of people of colour living in Tudor England?
False
There was a small minority and for the most part their lives and stories are unknown
Is it possible to define Othello’s race?
Not for certain and it is questionable that we should be doing so
Why is it unimportant to pin down Othello’s race?
Precise origins do not matter as the other characters are aware of his otherness and this is clearly enough to set him apart from them
There are mutliple interpretations
What can the term Moor refer to?
-Could assume that it refers to an Arab inhabitant of North Africa
-Many definitions could describe people from any region in Africa
What does Black or ‘Blackness’ refer to?
-Simply means not white and does not necessarily refer to sub-Saharan African origin
-White stood for purity and innocence while black was the antithesis
What are some quotes referencing blackness?
“When devils will the blackest sins put on”-confirms the association the audience have between morality and blackness because the very worse sins are the “blackest”
“The association with blackness with evil is one reason why Othello and his otherness are feared by white venetian society
What are Iagos references to Othello’s blackness loaded with?
-Moral undertones so as well as describing him physically, he also believes him to be evil
“Your son in law is far more fair than black”
Explain this quote in reference to race…
-In the Dukes defence of Othello’s marriage to Desdemona, the Duke has to look past his colour in order to describe him as a good moral person
-Also shows the constant conflation of blackness and evil that Shakespeare’s character and audience would of assumed
How is Othello ultimately treated because of his race?
-Mixture of both respect, fear and fascination
-He is respected as a military leader but purged from the white European society where he only ever partly belonged
-Venetian society are fascinated by Othello due to being a minority. When he recalls his backstory in a speech everyone is fascinated listening eagerly
What was the general dramatic convention about Moors?
-Menances intent on destruction and when they appeared on stage, it was seen as a threat to the moral, social and political order
Who is Aaron in Titus Andronicus(one of Shakespeare’s plays) and what does he represent?
-Force of pure evil who takes pleasure in causing pain and suffering
-Caricature of remorseless evil almost comically so in the extremity of his character
-A typical depiction of moors on an Elizabethan stage
How does Othello contrast the typical characteristics of a Moor and how is he similar to the characteristics of a Moor?
-Plays protagonist and begins as a noble and respectable character
-Contrasts a stereotypical depiction
-However, there are echoes of this typical Moor depiction as he quickly succumbs to jealousy, rage and ultimately murders his wife
Is Othello led astray by Iagos manipulation or has Shakespeare in part followed the typical characterisation of a More on Elizabethan stage?
Background information about the religious conflict between christianity and Islam…
What is Othello’s religion in the play?
-Converted from a Muslim to a Christian
What are the wars a reminder of?
-Reminder of not only the subtle conflict between Christians and Muslims
-Also, reminder of how Othello is set apart from the rest of society
Why is the knowledge of Othello’s past religion of conflict to him?
-Although he fights against the Ottoman empire indicating his dedication to Christianity his Muslim background is another factor causing distrust of him
-May contribute to Iago’s destructive manipulations because of this religiously fuelled hatred
What is the Great chain of being?
-A hierachy of all creation from God at the very top,from angels to kings and other men, to animals and then plants
How does the Great chain of being hierarchy inform Iago’s derogatory descriptions of Othello?
frequently compares him to an animal
“black ram” “Barbary horse” “the beast with two backs”
Racism-As seen in the hierarchy, animals are below humans and therefore Iago perceives Othello and Moors/people of colour to be less than humans and ultimately less than God
How were women perceived during the 16th and 17th century
-subordinates of men
-When married everything they owned became men’s including themselves
Example of women being subordinate/objects to men…
-Brabantio(Desdemona’s father) expects to choose a husband for his daughter
-Considers her to be under his ownership and accuses Othello of being a “foul thief” who has stolen her.
Quotes supporting idea of women being subordinate…
“bound”-to both Othello and her father
She has a “duty” to them
Evaluation of Desdemona’s character…
-Strong willed and does defy Othello when convincing him to forgive Cassio
-Overall passive however and is powerless in the face of her husbands anger.
How does Emilia’s actions confirm this idea of women being subordinates/objects to their husbands?
Despite her distrust of her husband she knows he is “wayward”, so still takes Desdemona’s handkerchief as he demanded as she knows as his wife she is bound to him by social order
How does Emilia break the social expectation of women?
She exposes Iago’s manipulations saying that “I am bound to speak” even when he threatens and eventually stabs her
How is the social order disrupted/destroyed in the final act?
-Othello murders Desdemona
-Emilia is now free to speak up for herself
Does Emilia actually contradict the patriarchal hierachy?
Although she speaks out, the exposure of the truth comes out too late to see any real change
Desdemona is dead, Othello kills himself in grief and regret and Emilia is killed by Iago for her disobedience
What were some stereotypes of venetian women?
-City famous for the freedoms and liberality it offered its inhabitants
-As a result of this reputation, it was thought of a place of sexual freedom as well.
How does this idea of sexual freedom in venetian society manifest in Othello?
Male characters are quick to resume that their wives are unfaithful
-Othello quickly believes that Desdemona has cheated on him calling her the “whore of venice”
-Iago is suspicious that Emilia has slept with Othello
What was the religious state of England under King James I?
England was a Protestant state
This was a result of the Reformation initiated by Henry VIII.
What historical movement led to England’s separation from the Catholic Church?
The Reformation
This movement began with Henry VIII’s actions in the 16th century.
How did the religious conflict affect the contemporary audience of Shakespeare?
It made the conflict and controversy very close to home
Both Catholics and Protestants had suffered violence and oppression.
What two religious groups are represented in the conflict within the play?
Islamic Turks and Christian Venetians
This reflects the broader religious tensions of the time.
What does Protestantism emphasize regarding self-reflection?
A preoccupation with the self and introspection
This was important for maintaining one’s faith and self-improvement.
How is the theme of introspection reflected in the literature of the time?
Through tragic heroes tormented by their own consciences
Characters often embark on a spiritual journey to Heaven or Hell.
Which character in Othello is troubled by his own thoughts?
Othello
His internal conflict is a central theme in the play.
What does Othello discover when Iago exposes Desdemona’s betrayal?
What type of person he truly is
This self-discovery is not what he expects.
Fill in the blank: Protestantism encouraged a preoccupation with the _______.
[self]
This reflects the focus on introspection and self-improvement.
True or False: Both Catholics and Protestants experienced oppression during the Reformation.
True
The historical context shows mutual violence and persecution.
What main role does the subject of religious conflict take in ‘Othello’?
The subject of religious conflict takes a main role in ‘Othello’ as it reflects tensions between the Muslim and Christian worlds.
What historical event exacerbated tensions between the Muslim and Christian worlds during the time of ‘Othello’?
The rise of the Ottoman empire exacerbated tensions between the Muslim and Christian worlds.
What were Venice and Cyprus in the context of religious conflict?
Venice and Cyprus were at the epicentre of the religious battle between Muslims and Christians.
What was the Church’s position on Islam during the time of ‘Othello’?
The Church believed that Islam threatened Christianity and its values.
What historical military campaigns were motivated by the Church’s position on Islam?
The Crusades were motivated by the Church’s position on Islam.
What significant event did the Ottoman Turks achieve against the Christian world?
The Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, causing the fall of Greece and the Balkans.
How is Othello described in the play?
Othello is described as a ‘Moor’, typically someone who is a Muslim.
What does Othello’s allegiance to the Christian god symbolize?
Othello’s allegiance symbolizes his self-hatred and inner conflict.
What does Shakespeare imply about Othello’s feelings towards his heritage?
Shakespeare implies that Othello has been conditioned to despise his heritage.
How does Shakespeare present the conflict in Othello’s character?
The conflict is unspoken, signifying Othello’s repression.
What significant act does Othello commit at the end of the play?
Othello murders Desdemona.
What does Othello plead about in his final words?
Othello pleads his case after discovering Iago’s fraud.
What does Virginia Mason Vaughan suggest about the character dynamics in ‘Othello’?
Vaughan suggests that the most villainous character is Venetian while the hero is an outsider.
How does Othello’s identity as a ‘Moor’ affect his status in Venice?
Othello remains an alien in Venice despite being chosen to lead its army.
What metaphor does Othello’s suicide represent?
Othello’s suicide represents religious penance.
Fill in the blank: Othello is a sinner simply for being a _______.
[Moor]
What does Othello want to be remembered for at the end of the play?
Othello wants to be remembered for his loyalty to Venice.
What action does Othello take to prove his allegiance to Venice?
Killing a ‘Turk’
This act symbolizes his commitment to the state.
How are Moors and Turks depicted in the context of Othello?
Both are Muslim peoples facing discrimination
Their shared identity highlights themes of racial and religious conflict.
What does Othello’s stabbing of the Turk symbolize?
Killing a part of himself
This act is reminiscent of an exorcism or religious ritual.
What religious identifiers are used to emphasize Othello’s conflict?
Turbaned and circumcised
These terms highlight the religious motivations behind Othello’s actions.
What significance does Shakespeare give to Othello’s final words?
He wants to be remembered as a friend of ‘the state’
This highlights Othello’s internal struggle with his identity and loyalty.
What does the act of Othello stabbing himself imply?
He takes the place of the ‘malignant’ Turk
This suggests Othello’s recognition of his betrayal of Venice.
How is Desdemona’s role interpreted in relation to Othello’s actions?
She may take the place of the ‘state’
This indicates Othello’s realization of her importance in his life.
What does Othello’s suicide signify about his duty to Venice?
A betrayal of his duty
Othello’s chaos leads him to commit the most unsoldierly act.
