Critics and Context: Setting

Question 1

Evidence of treatment of ‘Blackamoors’ (4)

Answer 1

• Susan Bruce
• -* Elizabethan edicts promised the eviction of ‘Blackamoors’
• from England in 1596 as they
• -* “consumed what ought to be eaten by white people.” (Susan Bruce)

Question 2

Description of ‘Blackamoors’ (2)

Answer 2

• Ania Loomba
• “godless, bestial and hideous”

Question 3

It is apparent that despite Othello’s military credentials and his dulcet poetic tones, he is destined to be… (3)

Answer 3

• Virginia Mason Vaughan
• It is apparent that despite Othello’s military credentials and his dulcet poetic tones, he is destined to be
• “set apart by his colour and life history”

Question 4

Othello & Venice (3)

Answer 4

• Virginia Mason Vaughan
• Virginia Mason Vaughan posits that

- “Like Cyprus, Othello can be colonized by Venice – he can be put to use. But he can never become wholly Venetian.”

Question 5

Virginia Mason Vaughan posits that “___________________________________________________.” Building on Vaughan’s strong argument, it is apparent that ___________________, he is destined to be “_______________” due to __________________ as “______________;” (Loomba) seen as _____________ promised the _________________ as they “________________________________.” (Susan Bruce)

Answer 5

“Like Cyprus, Othello can be colonized by Venice – he can be put to use. But he can never become wholly Venetian.”

• despite Othello’s military credentials and his dulcet poetic tones
• “set apart by his colour and life history”
• pervading attitudes towards ‘Blackamoors’ / - “godless, bestial and hideous” / - Elizabethan edicts
• eviction of ‘Blackamoors’ from England in 1596 / - “consumed what ought to be eaten by white people.”