OthelloThe Moor of

Venice

Overview

• Historical perspective

• Geographic context

• An intro to the play itself

Historical Context

• The Crusades -Christians and Muslims

• The Moors• The Ottoman

Empire • Venice, Italy

The Crusades

• An attempt by European Christians to retake holy land occupied by Muslims

The Crusades

• Religious war begun in the 11th century and ended at the end of the 12th century

• still has a lasting impact

Ottoman Empire

• ended - 1918• “The Turks”• Muslim• Conflicts w/ Holy Roman Empire

(962-1806)

The Moors

• North Western Africans, modern Morocco

• Conquered and ruled Spain for 700 years

Moorish Spain

•Muslim Spain influenced the European Renaissance

Moorish Spain

• Uniquely tolerant, artistic, peaceful, and advanced era

• No central govt. established

Moorish Spain

•Brought Spain, and in some ways Europe, out of the dark ages

Moorish Spain

•One of the truly successful multicultural eras in history

Venetian- Turkish War

• Battle between

Venice and the

Ottoman Empire

1416-1573

Venetian Turkish Wars

• Battle of trade routes and land

• Venice defended Cyprus against invading Turks

Main Characters

• Iago - Othello’s trusted friend and “ancient” (commissioned officer)

Main Characters

• Along with Titus Andronicus’ Aaron, Iago is widely considered Shakespeare’s most purely evil character

Dramatic Irony

• Used extensively in Othello

• Iago is the central character who is alone in his thoughts

Why Hate?

• Anti-christ figure whose only real motivation is only to watch his “medicine work”

The Moor (Othello)

• Hired by Venetian authority to lead an army to battle invading Turks

• Tragic Hero

The Moor

• Falls in love with local girl, Desdemona, while directing Venetian defenses

Desdemona

• Young, innocent daughter of Venetian Senator

• Chooses Othello’s love over family

Cassio

• Innocent pawn in Iago’s plan

• Promoted to lieutenant over Iago by Othello

• Florentine (Florence Italy) known for flirtatious nature

Senator Brabantio

• Venetian Senator who initiated tragic events

• Father of Desdemona -symbolizes intolerance.

• Forces Desdemona to choose between family and husband.

The Play

• First performed Nov. 1 1604

• Written during W.S.’ Tragic Period

Tragic Period

• Other tragic period plays:

• Hamlet (1600), King Lear (1604), MacBeth (1606)

Contrast of Venice/Cyprus

• Venice is home to civility and control

• Cyprus is battle-scarred, ominous, and a place where passions rule

Historical Source

• The play is Based on Richard Knolles, the History of the Turks

Green Eyed Monster

• “...beware my lord of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” - Iago

The End

Thanks to Richard Wagner for the music!