Literary and Theatrical Context Flashcards
What is Shakespeare’s source for Othello?
Giraldi Cinthio’s story (possibly called ‘El Capitano Moro’) in his collection of 100 tales called Hecatommithi - published in 1563 in Venice
What are the differences between Othello’s portrayal in the source material and in the play? (3 points)
Othello is only called ‘The Moor’ and Desdemona is the only named character - they do not elope
They travel on the same ship to Cyprus - there is no Turkish threat
He is killed by Desdemona’s kinsmen
What are the main differences between Iago in Cinthio’s tale and in Othello? (6 points)
He has a young daughter
He falls in love with Desdemona - his motive is sexual jealousy of Cassio
Has no hatred of Othello - creates the murder plot against Desdemona after being rejected
He steals the handkerchief himself and kills Desdemona with Othello
Her murder is presented as an accident - he is tortured to death for another crime though
lago’s wife knows the whole story
What are the 4 other differences between the source material and the play?
There is no Roderigo
Desdemona’s father is not mentioned specifically
Cassio does not suffer from drunkenness
Cassio recognises the handkerchief
What do Shakespeare’s sources for Othello say about the play? (3 points)
Iago is more ambiguous and evil than the Ensign - his soliloquies are given more time and Shakespeare likely intended for him to be merciless without justification
Addition of Brabantio adds more depth to Othello’s situation - offers another reason for his insecurity
Addition of Roderigo gives Iago more depth - we have greater impression of his web of authority and the extent he will go to ruin Othello
What does Othello’s production history say about the play? (3 points)
Role of Othello was written by a white Jacobean Englishman for another white Englishman to play using black makeup
Undermines the credibility of Othello’s characterisation - makes us question to what extent he is a stereotype of a Moor
Hugh Quarshie, RSC’s Othello in 2015, questioned whether Othello is an ‘authoritative and credible profile of a genuine black man’
What is the literary context behind Othello being set in Venice? (4 points)
Italy was particularly favoured as the
Renaissance began there it was home to many source texts that inspired Shakespeare and his contemporaries
Foreign settings allowed for cautious commentary on home-grown political and social issues - Othello is the only Shakespeare play to be set roughly in its own time
Venice was a city of interest to London as a major trading rival - English merchants travelled and brought back reports of its luxuries and vices
Exaggerated travellers’ tales were in vogue at the time Othello was written
What is the context behind Othello not being an original story? (5 points)
Shakespeare used known sources for 35 of his 37 plays, and it is assumed that the other two must have had sources as yet undiscovered
Until the emergence of the ‘novel’ genre in the early 18th century, originality of plot or character was not considered necessary or even desirable in literary works
A largely illiterate population and a traditional oral culture created a demand for the reassuringly familiar
Audiences expected to already know the basic storylines, settings and outcomes of plays they attended
The skill and creativity of the playwright was demonstrated by the quality of improvements made to an existing work, including the adaptation of the genre
How can Othello be perceived as comedic? (4 points)
Jealousy and cuckoldry were traditionally comedy topics - scenes like Act 1 Scene 1 and Act 2 Scene 1 are typical of this genre
Many of the characters are recognisable stereotypes from contemporary comedies:
+ The gull (Roderigo)
+ The senex (Brabantio)
+ The clever, plotting slave (lago)
Cassio’s supposed confession in Act 4 Scene 1 can be compared to the scene in Twelfth Night when Antonio demands his purse from the wrong twin
These comic devices enrich the tragedy by providing an alternative perspective on it, rather than by being juxtaposed with it
What was the audience’s reaction to Othello? (3 points)
More than any other Shakespeare play, Othello has caused controversy and audience reaction has been painfully intense
Unlike in King Lear and Macbeth, the killing of women takes place on stage, which creates a highly charged scene and a disturbing one for audiences
Spectators have frequently been driven to call out warnings and advice to Othello, and denunciations of lago.
Who are the 4 notable actors who have played Othello in the past?
Richard Burbage:
+ Leading actor in Shakespeare’s company who first played the role
+ His performance was considered deeply moving - acclaimed as one of his best
Edwin Booth:
+ A refined and polished Moor in the 19th century
Tomaso Salvini:
+ Made animal noises and movements
+ Spoke his lines in Italian
+ The first Othello to strike Desdemona
Laurence Olivier:
+ Stressed his race and sexuality
+ Gave an ‘outlandish vocal performance’
What is the theatrical context behind female roles in Shakespeare’s plays? (4 points)
In Jacobean times, women’s parts in plays did not equal men’s in terms of number, size or status
They were written for boy actors with unbroken voices - it was unthinkable for women to perform on the stage
Shakespeare was interested in female perspectives and psychology - women have significant roles in all his major tragedies as wives and daughters
None of them, however, live at the end of their respective plays
What is the theatrical context behind playing the role of Othello? (3 points)
Though a relatively short play (average 205 minutes), it is very emotionally and physically demanding on the actor playing Othello, particularly during his seizure in Act 4, Scene 1
He has to manifest extreme behaviour and passion throughout the second half of the play, and it has been known for actors to fall ill
There have been two kinds of Othello over the years:
+ The dignified, lyrical and sensitive
+ The passionate, sensual and violent
What is the theatrical context behind playing the role of Iago in Othello? (5 points)
lago is on stage in nearly every scene - actors are under pressure and the scrutiny of the audience throughout
He must not act like an obvious villain - would destroy his credibility and the point the play is making about evil’s unrecognisability
Crucial aspects to get right:
+ Body language
+ Facial expressions
+ Balance between being damaged and diabolically powerful
Actors complain that motivelessness is ‘unactable’ and that Shakespeare himself ‘has not got a clear line on lago’
Many famous actors through the centuries have tried their skills as both Othello and lago, even switching alternate nights in some cases
What is the theatrical context behind playing the role of Desdemona in Othello? (3 points)
Actresses playing Desdemona have to decide how passive to be in their delivery, tone and movements
For instance:
+ Does she stay in bed in Act 5 Scene 2 or try to escape from her psychopathic husband when she realises his intent?
+ Is she completely innocent and naive or does she deliberately put on a girlish and flirtatious act to get her way?
