Venice and Venetian culture Flashcards
why is Venice a significant setting?
it was a significant setting for an English audience in 1604. Venice was thriving due to capitalism. it was a republic where the wealthier merchant classes controlled the state, buying powerful military forces to protect their colonial exploits.
England, had only just started increasing overseas in Africa and India. The English would have seen Venice as the mercantile and colonial force that they wanted England to become in the future.
how does Venice create drama?
it was evident that at the time the Venetian state employed mercenary soldiers, so having a black military leader would have been believable.
however, because Othello is not truly ‘one of them’ when he marries Desdemona anger breaks out.
Desdemona is described as being a stolen jewel that has been stolen by Othello who had been employed by Brabantio, to protect his possessions and not steal them.
This provides dramatic tension.
