Context

Question 1

What is the historical context of Othello?

Answer 1

Warm between Turks and christians (Venetian state)

Provides a symbolic backdrop to Othellos tragedy

Cyprus is vulnerable and isolated like Othello

Question 2

Social context

Answer 2

Women in renaissance had few legal rights - life choices were dictated by father /husband. However Shakespeare creates strong female characters in Emilia and Desdemona, who challenge the social order, even if they can’t over throw it

Question 3

Literary context

Answer 3

Shakespeare uses features of traditional Greek tragedy (Othello suffers from the hamartia of pride ) and revenge tragedy (Iago is a scheming Machiavel)

Question 4

Philosophical context

Answer 4

Most elizabethans believed in the devil and accepted evil was hard to detect, thus making Iago’s deceptions both plausible and terrifying

Question 5

Cultural context

Answer 5

Elizabethans were generally suspicious of Italians, viewing them as immoral intriguers and some saw black men as lustful predators. Shakespeare makes use of and subverts these stereotypes