The English Renaissance The English Renaissance Othello Character Bookmark

English Renaissance

0Lasted from 1485-16250Renaissance: means “rebirth.” It was a secular

movement that encouraged voyages of discovery and human aspirations. Began in Italy in 1350 and moved toward England in the late 1400’s.

0Reformation: Inspired by Martin Luther. Reformation thinkers wanted to reform the Catholic church, which was viewed as corrupt.

Important Dates:

0 1485: Henry VII becomes king of England, ending the civil war that lasted for 30 years between the Yorks and Lancasters. He became the first Tudor King.

0 King Henry VIII became king in 1547. He had 6 wives:0 Catherine of Aragon (annulled; died while detained under

guard at Kimbolton Castle);0 Anne Boleyn (annulled and later executed);0 Jane Seymour (died days after giving birth, widely believed to

be following birth complications);0 Anne of Cleves (annulled);0 Catherine Howard (annulled and later executed);0 Catherine Parr (widowed).

Henry VIII0 1534: established the

Protestant church (he was the boss). Was called the Church of England.

0 Died in 1547 from obesity (theorists think diabetes played a part in his death)

0 His daughter with Anne Bolyen, Elizabeth, is named Queen when she comes of age.

Important Dates Continued:

0 1558: Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England.0 Reigns from 1558-16030 Called the most successful monarch of England, like ever!0 Established England as a protestant nation0 Her reign was called the “Golden Age” of peace and prosperity

0 1564: William Shakespeare is born.0 1588: England defeats the Spanish Armada (Spain thought

they could overthrow a woman…QE shows ‘em who’s boss!)

0 1594: Romeo and Juliet is penned0 1599: Globe Theater opens

Queen Elizabeth

0 Elizabeth's reign is known as the Elizabethan era

0 The period is famous for the flourishing of English arts and drama, led by playwrights such as William Shakespeare, and for the seafaring prowess of English adventurers such as Francis Drake.

Important Dates Continued:

01600: East India Trading Company is founded01603: Elizabeth I dies (she was unmarried and had no

children…called the “virgin queen”).0 James I becomes king…not the best of kings! He and

Parliament did not see eye to eye on how the country should be run.

01606: Guy Fawkes executed for Gunpowder plot (plot to blow up Parliament)…V for Vendetta

01620: Pilgrims land in Plymouth01625: James I dies, thus ending the English

Renaissance period in England.

Othello

0 He is the play’s protagonist0 He is a tragic hero0 He is a Moor (North

African)0 Powerful military leader0 Free, open, trusting

character which is also his tragic flaw because it leads to his downfall in the end

Desdemona

0 Secretly married to Othello0 She is white, which causes

problems because she ran away with a black man

0 Very strong female character because she constantly stands up for and to Othello

0 She is in many ways the Damsel of the play, but is put out there as a temptress as well

Iago0 Othello’s ensign (military position

under Othello)0 He is the villain, or shadow, of the

play0 His personality is opposite of

Othello; very manipulative and cunning and deceitful

0 He is jealous b/c Othello chose another character (Cassio) for a promotion over him

0 Hates women in general0 Has no real motivation for being a

jerk, he just is one

Cassio

0 Othello’s lieutenant0 He was promoted instead

of Iago, so Iago hates him0 He is kind of a ladies man0 He is the one who is truly

devoted to Othello (best friend you could say)

0 He would be the companion figure in the play

Emilia

0 Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant

0Loves Desdemona0Distrusts her husband

b/c he is very flirty with the ladies

Roderigo

0 In love with Desdemona but she refused him

0 Jealous of Othello0Easily manipulated by

Iago to do his bidding against Othello

Bianca

0A less than reputable woman in town (local prostitute)

0Cassio is her favorite customer

0Definitely the temptress

Brabantio

0Desdemona’s father0Was Othello’s friend

until he found out that Othello and his daughter were secretly married

0Uses Othello’s race as a reason why his daughter should not marry Othello

Duke of Venice

0The authority figure in Venice0Respects Othello for his military skills0Kind of a mentor figure for Othello

Montano, Lodovico, and Graziano

0Montano: governor before Othello0Lodovico: Barbantio’s kinsman and relays messages

from Venice to Cyprus.0Graziano: another of Barbantio’s kinsman who travels

with Lodovico

Brief Summary0 They play is set in Venice, Italy.0 Currently at war, but trying to

prevent it0 Othello is the Duke’s main

military leader and sends him to Cyprus to fight

0 Othello is married secretly to Desdemona, against her father’s approval

0 Iago is jealous of Othello and Cassio, so he tries to break up his marriage and make Othello go mad by saying that Desdemona is unfaithful to Othello by sleeping with his best friend Cassio.

0 Chaos ensues!