Othello: The Moor of VeniceBackground Notes

Introduction to the PlayWritten after Hamlet (1600-1601)One of Shakespeares four great tragedies:HamletOthelloKing LearMacbeth

Focuses on issues of both national and personal importanceExplores domestic issuesTale of passion Fidelity, honor, justice, and personal struggle

In the opening act...Venetians are searching for the valiant Othello to lead its army to fight off the advancing TurksOthello was called away from his honeymoon to go to warBy the opening of Act II, the war is over, the Turks are defeated, and the victors are ready to land in Cypress.War takes place offstageOthello is about times of peace, times of domesticity, and the battles that fill domestic life.

Sources for the PlayAlthough he stands out as one of the finest Western dramatists ever, none of Shakespeares stories were entirely original.

Sources for the PlayOthello: The Moor of Venice finds its roots in Giraldi Cinthios Hecatommithi (1565)His work is built around short stories, most centering on the theme of marriageTwo sections revolve around marital infidelity and how a husband seeks revenge on his wife for supposed infidelity, culminating in her accidental death.

SettingVeniceFor Elizabethans, Italians were a wicked people, living lives of treachery, murder, and loose morals.

Setting Shakespeare gives his most evil character (Iago) a Spanish name because Spain was Englands worst enemy.

ThemesAppearance versus realitySocietys treatment of the outsiderThe problem is to make a hero an outsider, one who doesnt quite belong in the society in which he lives. Othello is a Moor (North African)Jealousy

Characters in Othello

OthelloProtagonistBorn a Moor Black man from Northern Africa (Arab)Looked upon with suspicion Pagan- not converted to ChristianityDescended from men of royal siege or rank

OthelloWell-liked by his soldiers Comes to Venice as a soldier of fortune to help Venice win their war against the Turks

OthelloTragic Flaw: Believes that others are honest and sincere until he has proof they are notLives by a code of honor (military and private)When a mans honor is lost, he must win it backPassionate man with a fiery temperAllows jealousy to prevail over common sense

*Always considered a stranger*

IagoAntagonistOthellos ensign- low ranked commissioned officer Married to EmiliaThey seem to tolerate each other

IagoVery complex characterLoves evil for evils sakeMotivated by jealousySeeks revengeA wonderful actorAmoral he has no standards at allHighly intelligentEgotist: His opinion of everyone EXCEPT himself is very low

IagoAmoral he has no standards at allHighly intelligentEgotist: His opinion of everyone EXCEPT himself is very lowCynic: Shows contempt for all convential standards of decency Extremely proud

DesdemonaYoung Venetian woman Sheltered her entire life by her fatherPortrait of a lovely, courageous, gentlewomanMay represent the good that evel often destroysIs guilty only of loving her husband too much

CassioAttractive, likeable young manOthellos lieutenantInnocent victim of Iagos treachery

EmiliaIagos wifeDesdemonas lady-in-waitingLow opinion of men

BrabantioDesdemonas fatherVenetian senatorFeels as if he OWNS his daughterNot well-regarded by others in the government/society (silly man)

RoderigoVenetian nobleman in love with DesdemonaHas more money than sense pays Iago to help woo her for himRoderigos gullibility and trust of Iago gets him killed.