Study Guide
by Diana Shypovych, made with love, tears and other substances
[16/09 /2021- 07/03/2022]
,Context Analysis
Years written:
1603-1604
Type: play
Genre: Tragedy
Time: late 16th century
Contact with new cultures
, • Mauritania (North-West Africa) gave the term MOOR
!!! Othello's religion (not a Christian) and job were more important than his color
Patriarchal Society
• women were viewed as posessions: Iago: "Zounds sir, you're robbed"
• fathers chose husbands for their daughters -> explains Brabantio's attitude to Othello as to a
thief or a master of black arts (who charmed Desdemona)
• independent women were threat and humiliation
!!! Brabantio was humiliated when Desdemona acted rebeliously - made her own mind to marry
Othello NOT because she married a black man
Roderigo: "hath made a gross revolt"
• women were thought to have uncontrolled sexual desires
!!! Iago refered to it while convincing Othello that Desdemona cheated on him
Treatment of Race
• cultural fears of racial mixing
, Brabantio speaking loud this idea:"For if such actions may have passage free,\Bondslaves and
pagans shall our statesmen be"
Iago refers to Othello's color when abusing him: "an old black ram\Is tupping your white ewe",
"your daughter\covered with a Barbary horse"
Roderigo: "an extravagant and wheeling stranger"
Place
Play starts in Venice
Controversity of Venice:
Culture VS Conflict
Civilization VS Corruption
Art VS Prostitution
It is easy for Othello to believe that Desdemona was unfaithful, when Iago reminds him of the
apparent behaviour of women in Venice.
Play continues in Cyprus (an outpost of Venice)
Symbolic: struggle between Liberal Europeans and Savage Turks
by Diana Shypovych, made with love, tears and other substances
[16/09 /2021- 07/03/2022]
,Context Analysis
Years written:
1603-1604
Type: play
Genre: Tragedy
Time: late 16th century
Contact with new cultures
, • Mauritania (North-West Africa) gave the term MOOR
!!! Othello's religion (not a Christian) and job were more important than his color
Patriarchal Society
• women were viewed as posessions: Iago: "Zounds sir, you're robbed"
• fathers chose husbands for their daughters -> explains Brabantio's attitude to Othello as to a
thief or a master of black arts (who charmed Desdemona)
• independent women were threat and humiliation
!!! Brabantio was humiliated when Desdemona acted rebeliously - made her own mind to marry
Othello NOT because she married a black man
Roderigo: "hath made a gross revolt"
• women were thought to have uncontrolled sexual desires
!!! Iago refered to it while convincing Othello that Desdemona cheated on him
Treatment of Race
• cultural fears of racial mixing
, Brabantio speaking loud this idea:"For if such actions may have passage free,\Bondslaves and
pagans shall our statesmen be"
Iago refers to Othello's color when abusing him: "an old black ram\Is tupping your white ewe",
"your daughter\covered with a Barbary horse"
Roderigo: "an extravagant and wheeling stranger"
Place
Play starts in Venice
Controversity of Venice:
Culture VS Conflict
Civilization VS Corruption
Art VS Prostitution
It is easy for Othello to believe that Desdemona was unfaithful, when Iago reminds him of the
apparent behaviour of women in Venice.
Play continues in Cyprus (an outpost of Venice)
Symbolic: struggle between Liberal Europeans and Savage Turks
