RELIGION IN OTHELLO!

Ali WatkinsDan Casey

Nick WhittakerDevon SmileyKim Narunsky

What was the religious setting in Shakespeare’s time(16th century)?

A lot of religious tension between Protestants and Catholics. Many Protestants were forcing Catholics to convert.

• Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564• Religious beliefs beyond that

are a mystery

Although his personal religious beliefs are unknown, many of his plays

(including Othello) prove his knowledge of the Christian faith.

• "The jewels you have had from me to deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist" – Possible attack on members of the Catholic faith?• indulgences

– Votarist is a person bound by vows to live a life of religious worship or service.

Can anyone remember specific lines from the book that

referenced the Bible or religion?

Othello“I am not what I am.”

Bible: Exodus 3:14“I am what I am.”

Othello“I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do

offence to Michael Cassio.”

Bible: Book of Proverbs“the mouth of the righteous brings

forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.”

Othello“persuade myself to speak the

truth.”The Bible: Book of Proverbs

“For my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words from my mouth are righteous; there is nothing crooked or twisted in

them.”

Othello“had it pleased heaven to try me with affliction; had they rain’d all kinds of

sores and shames on my bare head…”

Bible: Book of Job“smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot

unto his crown”“terrors are turned upon me… the days of affliction

have taken hold upon me.”

Othello“How am I then a villain to counsel Cassio this parallel course, directly to his good? Divinity of hell! When devils will the blackest sins put on,

they do suggest at first with heavenly shows, as I do now…”

From the bible, who are you able to compare Iago to?

The Answers:

• The Devil

• Judas (the apostle of Jesus)

The Devil and Iago

Temptations Were Made

Devil• The devil tempted Eve, to

eat the fruit on the tree that they should not of eaten from.

• The devil also tempted Jesus Christ, while he was in the desert for 40 day and 40 nights.

Iago• Iago tempted Rodrigo to kill

Cassio by making Roderigo believe that it was the only way to win Desdemona’s heart.

• Iago was also tempting Othello.

No Pain

• This was very demonic/devilish part of the play. In act V scene II, (page 89) Othello stabs Iago with his sword. However Iago doesn’t cry or show us that he was hurt (page 89). All he says is “I bleed, sir, but not kill’d.”

Iago and Judas

(Does anybody knows who Judas is?)

Judas Summary

• One of the 12 original apostles• Betrayed his messiah• Killed Himself

Iago

• Was apart of Othello’s advisors for the war.• He betrayed his general• Vowed to stop talking forever he said, “From

this time forth I never will speak word.” (page 90)

Does anyone know all Seven Deadly Sins?

Envy

Some Examples

• Iago jealous of Cassio• Roderigo jealous of Othello • Othello jealous of Cassio• Emilia jealous of Desdemona

Greed

Some Examples

• Iago is greedy for power• Othello is greedy for Desdemona• Iago is greedy for Roderigo’s money

Pride

Some Examples

• Cassio • Othello

Gluttony

Some Examples

• Cassio (alcohol)

Sloth

Some Examples

• Roderigo wants to take the easy way out to get Desdemona

• Desdemona treats Emilia like her slave when she’s supposed to be her “best friend”

Wrath

Some Examples

• Iago against Cassio, Othello, Emilia• Othello against Iago, Desdemona, Cassio• Roderigo against Othello, Iago

Lust

Some Examples

• Othello Desdemona• Cassio Bianca• Emilia Iago