othello context

Question 1

what is othello referred to as in the play (culture) and why

Answer 1

‘the moor’
he is from mauretania, found in north africa
due to expanding trade routes, people from venice were being exposed to new cultures

Question 2

a persons job was a reflection of…

Answer 2

…their character and reputation
therefore being in the army was one of the more prestigious jobs

Question 3

generals were seen as…

Answer 3

…logical, brave, trustworthy and courageous

Question 4

what kind of society was england? and what did this mean for people/relationships/families?

Answer 4

patriarchal society
men made the decisions in the family and women were subservient
fathers would choose who their daughters would marry

Question 5

what were marriage choices based on?

Answer 5

suitable partners were selected based on social class (of the same or higher)
age wasnt a factor
marriage was more of a business transaction

Question 6

what is meant by hierarchical chain of being?

Answer 6

all creatures exist in an ordained position on a ladder descending from god through to angel, king, man and woman, animal, vegetable and mineral

Question 7

what is meant by moral sensibility

Answer 7

noble behaviour was a result of noble birth, and villainous behaviour was associated with peasants

Question 8

what is the colour black traditionally associated with? what is the colour white associated with? what did this mean for interracial marriages?

Answer 8

evil and the devil
beauty and goodness
marriage would have been shocking and frowned upon

Question 9

what is meant by damnation and hell?

Answer 9

idea of a place underground, inhabited by tormented souls who roam the earth between midnight and dawn

Question 10

what was irrational jealousy viewed as

Answer 10

sudden infection with no prevention or curew