OTHELLO - CONTEXT Flashcards
1
Q
What was the primary source Shakespeare used when writing Othello?
A
the “Hecatommithi”, a collection of tales by Giraldi
2
Q
what was the story of the Hecatommithi?
A
- in Giraldi’s story, the moor and his wife Disdemona live happily in Venice for some time
- until the Ensign, who falls in love with the Moor’s wife, convinces him that she has been unfaithful with Cassio, and they plan to kill Disdemona
- the ensign himself bludgeons Disdemona to death, and the Moor denies his part and is exiled
- he is killed by her kinsmen and the ensign continues his life of crime
3
Q
how were England and Morocco linked?
A
- England and Morocco were closely linked in the late 16th century through trade
- however, Queen Elizabeth was also responsible for a decree that tried to expel foreigners, especially black people, from England in 1601
- the English attitude to foreign people was clearly contradictory, like in Othello
4
Q
what was English attitude to foreign people like?
A
- the English attitude to foreign people was clearly contradictory, like in Othello
- Queen Elizabeth was also responsible for a decree that tried to expel foreigners, especially black people, from England in 1601
5
Q
what did Christian traditions of reneissance suggest?
A
- that Africans were descendants of Noah’s son Ham, who was cursed by his father
- this held up the assumption that they are a cursed race
- this explains some of the attitudes towards Othello in the play
6
Q
what was Venice’s class structure like?
A
- Venice had a more rigid class structure than England at the time
- the nobility and “common people” were very distinct
- this is representative of Iago’s class envy (and Cassio’s superiority complex)
- and Shakespeare could portray this well, having risen in society himself
7
Q
how are references to natural order used in Jacobean tragedy?
A
- in Jacobean tragedy, references to the subversion of the “natural order”
- like the languafe when Brabantio gets angry at Othello,
- are used to warn audiences that there is trouble ahead
8
Q
how did Elizabethans use the term “black”?
A
- the elizabethans used the term “black” to describe a range of skin colours and anyone who was not European
- fot the early audiences of Othello, therefore, this term would have been used to describe Othello as an outsider or someone alienated from society
9
Q
how is love significant in Cyprus?
A
- the setting of love in Cyprus is important, as Aphrodite was said to have risen from the sea on the West Coast of Cyprus
- so poets have often referred to Cyprus as the land of Aphrodite and love
10
Q
how would Cyprus have been identified by audiences?
A
- shakespeare’s audience would have also identified the island Cyprus as a place of danger and isolation
- due to the continuous wars between the Christians and the Muslims for control of the Mediterranean
11
Q
how was morality judged in the Renaissance?
A
- during the Renaissance period, people believed they could judge morality based on outward physical appearances
- for example, if someone had a birth marl, it could be proof that they were a witch
- due to Iago’s normal outward appearance, the characters could not detect his villany
12
Q
what does the name Bianca mean?
A
- the name Bianca means “white” which signifies purity and decency. appears ironic
- however, it serves to prove that one’s job is not representative of the person you are, as her love for Cassio was pure
- othello’s job made him seem noble, yet he killed his wife
13
Q
what does Desdemona mean?
A
literally means “ill-starred”
14
Q
how did the Romans and Greeks see suicide?
A
- although suicide is seen as a sin in Christianity
- the Romans and Greeks saw it as patriotic and noble
- as it was a way of avoiding disgrace and preserving honor
- this is seen in many ancient tragedies
15
Q
what was Brabantio’s eventual tolerance of the marriage?
A
- Brabantio’s eventual tolerance of Desdemona’s marriage was unusual as many Renaissance aristocrats passed their daughters to a man to marry, like a possession, and they did not get a choice
