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.
