othello context Flashcards
what is othello referred to as in the play (culture) and why
‘the moor’
He is from mauretania, found in north africa
Due to expanding trade routes, people from venice were being exposed to new cultures
a persons job was a reflection of…
…their character and reputation
therefore being in the army was one of the more prestigious jobs
generals were seen as…
…logical, brave, trustworthy and courageous
what kind of society was england? and what did this mean for people/relationships/families?
patriarchal society
men made the decisions in the family and women were subservient
fathers would choose who their daughters would marry
what were marriage choices based on?
suitable partners were selected based on social class (of the same or higher)
age wasnt a factor
marriage was more of a business transaction
what is meant by hierarchical chain of being?
all creatures exist in an ordained position on a ladder descending from god through to angel, king, man and woman, animal, vegetable and mineral
what is meant by moral sensibility
noble behaviour was a result of noble birth, and villainous behaviour was associated with peasants
what is the colour black traditionally associated with? what is the colour white associated with? what did this mean for interracial marriages?
evil and the devil
beauty and goodness
marriage would have been shocking and frowned upon
what is meant by damnation and hell?
idea of a place underground, inhabited by tormented souls who roam the earth between midnight and dawn
what was irrational jealousy viewed as?
sudden infection with no prevention or cure
what did elizabethans believe about reason dominated by passion?
Believed it was dangerous to let reason be dominated by passion. The failure of reason was considered to be the cause of the fall of man
What did people believe about evil spirits?
believed to be always in ear shot and watching for an opportunity to corrupt and snatch a human soul
What is meant by the courtly lover?
Member of high society
Concerned above all with the notions of honour and reputation
Devoted to a fair lady, who is expected to have rival suitors competing for the right to serve her
What is meant by romance?
involved exotic tales of magic, superstition and passion
what is meant by cuckoldry?
Becoming a horned beast
Was a prevalent male fear at the time
Meant that the man was an object of ridicule because he could not control his wife’s behaviour and sexual appetite
If the wife cheated on him and had a child, then the husband could not continue the family line because illegitimate children couldn’t be assimilated in the family structure
what is meant by female chastity?
women were meant to be pure virgins before marriage, and were expected to be loyal to their husbands
