Othello - Context

Question 1

The Renaissance Era


Answer 1

When Othello was written, a period of flourishing arts, literature, and intellectual discovery. This era was marked by an increased interest in classical ideas and humanism.

Question 2

Venetian Society


Answer 2

Venice was known for its multicultural population due to its position as a trading hub. The city’s racial diversity is essential to the play’s themes, especially regarding Othello’s status as a Moor

Question 3

Racial Stereotypes


Answer 3

• Race stereotypes were shaped by limited knowledge and encounters with people from different parts of the world
• Iago and Brabantio frequently use derogatory racial language, reflecting the xenephobia of the time

Question 4

Moor


Answer 4

• Othello is a Moor, which typically linked to people of African descent or darker skin
• Moor’s were often viewed as a mixture of fascination and fear, seen as exotic but also associated with stereotypes of being uncivilized or barbaric

Question 5

Islam and Christianity 


Answer 5

• Moors were often linked to Islam, which was seen as a rival religion to Christianity, particularly in the context of the Crusades and on-going conflicts
• Othello’s conversion to christianity suggests he has tried to assimilate into Venetian society, yet he is still percieved as an outsider

Question 6

Role of Women in the 16th and 17th Centuries


Answer 6

• Women were expected to be obedient, chaste and subservient to men, both in domestic and social spheres. They had limited rights and were seen as property of their fathers of husbands
• Desdemona is depicted as a loving and loyal wife, but her decision to marry Othello without her father’s consent challenges societal norms, due to her disobedience

Question 7

The Military Context


Answer 7

• Othello is a general in the Venetian army, reflecting the high value placed on military prowess and loyalty at Shakespeare’s time. The military culture is key to the plot, as Othello’s status and honor are closely tied to his role as a soldier

Question 8

The Ottoman Empire (The Turks)


Answer 8

• The Turks are the external threat that drives the Venetian state to send Othello and his forces to Cyprus. The conflict between the Christian Venetian state and the Muslim Ottoman Empire empires the broader European fear of Ottoman expansion

Question 9

Othello experience in the military 


Answer 9

• Othello’s experience also shapes his character. He is used to control and command, but when faced as being a leader, alongside his personal insecurities, he struggles to maintain the same authority which results in his downfall