Critical anthology

Question 1

What does Loomba say about women?

Answer 1

• Women have an “Inherent duplicity”
• Meaning they are naturally deceptive

Question 2

What are the stereotypes Loomba says about black men in the 16th century?

Answer 2

“black-skinned people were usually typed as godless, bestial and hideous”
“unnatural sexual and domestic practices, as highly emotional”
“irrational, and prone to anger and jealousy”

Question 3

What does Leavis say about Othello?

Answer 3

“a superb coup de theatre”
“I took him by the throat the circumcised dog And smote him”
Sees Othellos final speech as self-dramaticisation

Question 4

What does Loomba argue about Venice?

Answer 4

“Venice’s openness could be viewed as dangerous by a society itself fairly suspicious of outsiders”