Othello- Context Flashcards
What era is Othello from?
Jacobean.
What century is Othello from?
Sixteenth century.
What period was Shakespeare writing in?
Renaissance period.
How does the Renaissance period come into Othello?
Draws on Greek and Roman classical writings.
Othello is arguably the equivalent of the Greek God Zeus. Shakespeare often uses language to make him appear godly.
When was Othello first performed?
1603
How is colonialism important to Othello?
Pre-colonialism.
Audience haven’t been subjected to colonisation or the history of race, we get a raw insight into the interpretations of race.
What was Othello inspired by?
Gli Hecathommithi (1565)
Same storyline, but Iago’s motive is that he is in love with Desdemona.
What did Venice highlight in the Jacobean era?
The height of European Civilisation and cultural sophistication. Cosmopolitan.
How did inter-racial interactions become more common in the Elizabethan reign?
Pursued international trade by expanding reach into African middle-Eastern markets.
More inter-racial encounters.
What act is significant to race in Othello?
Establishment of the Barbary Company, 1585.
England hired men from Africa as soldiers.
