1
,Chapter 1: Background & Author
1. Who was William Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is often considered the greatest playwright in the English
language. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Shakespeare was a poet, dramatist, and actor
whose work shaped English literature, influencing storytelling, theatre, and even everyday
language for centuries.
Shakespeare wrote during the Elizabethan (under Queen Elizabeth I) and Jacobean (under King
James I) eras—a period known as the English Renaissance. This was a time marked by artistic
growth, exploration, religious conflict, and the beginnings of England as a global power.
Why Shakespeare Matters Today
• He explored universal human themes like jealousy, betrayal, love, race, gender,
ambition, and identity.
• He added thousands of new words and phrases to the English language, many of
which we still use today (e.g., “heart of gold,” “break the ice,” and “seen better
days”).
• His characters are complex and timeless, giving modern audiences insights into
human psychology and social issues that remain relevant.
2. Shakespeare’s England: Historical Context
Elizabethan England (1558–1603)
Under Queen Elizabeth I, England experienced:
• Growth in the Arts: Theatre thrived with playwrights like Shakespeare, Marlowe,
and Ben Jonson.
• Exploration & Colonialism: English explorers like Sir Francis Drake expanded
Britain’s influence worldwide.
• Social & Gender Roles: Society was strictly hierarchical and patriarchal. Women
had few rights, and marriages were often arranged.
Jacobean England (1603–1625)
Under King James I:
• Religious tension increased, with persecution of religious minorities.
2
, • King James’s patronage of theatre continued the flourishing arts.
• Shakespeare’s later plays, including Othello, reflect darker themes, possibly
influenced by the social and political instability of the Jacobean era.
3. The Globe Theatre – Shakespeare’s Stage
The Globe Theatre, built in 1599 in London, became famous for premiering Shakespeare’s plays.
• It was an open-air theatre shaped like a circle, holding around 3,000 spectators.
• Audiences ranged from the wealthy sitting in comfortable balcony seats to
commoners standing on the ground (“groundlings”) for a penny.
• Performances relied on natural light, vivid dialogue, and dramatic acting—no
elaborate sets or special effects.
Audience Interaction
Audiences were lively—they cheered heroes, booed villains, and sometimes threw rotten fruit or
vegetables if dissatisfied. Shakespeare wrote to entertain both educated nobles and common
workers, balancing sophisticated poetry with humour and action.
4. Historical Context of Othello
Othello (written around 1603–1604) reflects England’s early encounters with people of other
races and cultures due to global trade, exploration, and conflict, particularly with Islamic
civilizations.
The Moors and Elizabethan England
• In Shakespeare’s day, “Moor” referred to Muslim inhabitants from North Africa and
the Middle East.
• Moors were often viewed as exotic outsiders, feared and misunderstood due to
religious and cultural differences.
• Shakespeare’s portrayal of Othello—a Black general who achieves high military rank
in European society—was groundbreaking, challenging racial stereotypes and
prejudices of the time.
3
, Venice and the Ottoman Empire
• The play begins in Venice, a powerful European city-state known for its wealth,
trade, and sophistication.
• Cyprus, a Venetian colony, represents a frontier territory, threatened by the powerful
Ottoman (Turkish) Empire.
• The historical backdrop of conflict between Christian Europe and Muslim Ottoman
Empire highlights contemporary anxieties about religion, race, and cultural identity.
5. Shakespeare’s Influences and Inspirations
Shakespeare drew inspiration for Othello from several sources:
• Cinthio’s Tale (1565): The plot of Othello closely follows an Italian novella by Giraldi
Cinthio, about a Moorish general who becomes tragically jealous. Shakespeare
expanded characters and deepened their psychological complexity.
• Renaissance Tragedy: Shakespeare drew upon traditions of Greek and Roman
tragedies, focusing on noble heroes brought low by personal flaws, fate, and tragic
circumstances.
6. Why is Othello Important for IEB Matrics?
The Independent Examination Board (IEB) syllabus aims for you to develop strong analytical
skills, critical thinking, and deep contextual understanding. Studying Othello supports these
goals by:
• Exploring Human Psychology: Understanding jealousy, manipulation, and identity
helps you critically assess real-life situations.
• Developing Language Skills: Shakespeare’s rich language, metaphorical imagery,
and rhetorical techniques build your abilities in interpreting meaning, tone, and
character motivation.
• Understanding Context: Appreciating how historical and cultural contexts shape
literature encourages awareness of contemporary issues around race, power, and
prejudice.
4
,Chapter 1: Background & Author
1. Who was William Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is often considered the greatest playwright in the English
language. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Shakespeare was a poet, dramatist, and actor
whose work shaped English literature, influencing storytelling, theatre, and even everyday
language for centuries.
Shakespeare wrote during the Elizabethan (under Queen Elizabeth I) and Jacobean (under King
James I) eras—a period known as the English Renaissance. This was a time marked by artistic
growth, exploration, religious conflict, and the beginnings of England as a global power.
Why Shakespeare Matters Today
• He explored universal human themes like jealousy, betrayal, love, race, gender,
ambition, and identity.
• He added thousands of new words and phrases to the English language, many of
which we still use today (e.g., “heart of gold,” “break the ice,” and “seen better
days”).
• His characters are complex and timeless, giving modern audiences insights into
human psychology and social issues that remain relevant.
2. Shakespeare’s England: Historical Context
Elizabethan England (1558–1603)
Under Queen Elizabeth I, England experienced:
• Growth in the Arts: Theatre thrived with playwrights like Shakespeare, Marlowe,
and Ben Jonson.
• Exploration & Colonialism: English explorers like Sir Francis Drake expanded
Britain’s influence worldwide.
• Social & Gender Roles: Society was strictly hierarchical and patriarchal. Women
had few rights, and marriages were often arranged.
Jacobean England (1603–1625)
Under King James I:
• Religious tension increased, with persecution of religious minorities.
2
, • King James’s patronage of theatre continued the flourishing arts.
• Shakespeare’s later plays, including Othello, reflect darker themes, possibly
influenced by the social and political instability of the Jacobean era.
3. The Globe Theatre – Shakespeare’s Stage
The Globe Theatre, built in 1599 in London, became famous for premiering Shakespeare’s plays.
• It was an open-air theatre shaped like a circle, holding around 3,000 spectators.
• Audiences ranged from the wealthy sitting in comfortable balcony seats to
commoners standing on the ground (“groundlings”) for a penny.
• Performances relied on natural light, vivid dialogue, and dramatic acting—no
elaborate sets or special effects.
Audience Interaction
Audiences were lively—they cheered heroes, booed villains, and sometimes threw rotten fruit or
vegetables if dissatisfied. Shakespeare wrote to entertain both educated nobles and common
workers, balancing sophisticated poetry with humour and action.
4. Historical Context of Othello
Othello (written around 1603–1604) reflects England’s early encounters with people of other
races and cultures due to global trade, exploration, and conflict, particularly with Islamic
civilizations.
The Moors and Elizabethan England
• In Shakespeare’s day, “Moor” referred to Muslim inhabitants from North Africa and
the Middle East.
• Moors were often viewed as exotic outsiders, feared and misunderstood due to
religious and cultural differences.
• Shakespeare’s portrayal of Othello—a Black general who achieves high military rank
in European society—was groundbreaking, challenging racial stereotypes and
prejudices of the time.
3
, Venice and the Ottoman Empire
• The play begins in Venice, a powerful European city-state known for its wealth,
trade, and sophistication.
• Cyprus, a Venetian colony, represents a frontier territory, threatened by the powerful
Ottoman (Turkish) Empire.
• The historical backdrop of conflict between Christian Europe and Muslim Ottoman
Empire highlights contemporary anxieties about religion, race, and cultural identity.
5. Shakespeare’s Influences and Inspirations
Shakespeare drew inspiration for Othello from several sources:
• Cinthio’s Tale (1565): The plot of Othello closely follows an Italian novella by Giraldi
Cinthio, about a Moorish general who becomes tragically jealous. Shakespeare
expanded characters and deepened their psychological complexity.
• Renaissance Tragedy: Shakespeare drew upon traditions of Greek and Roman
tragedies, focusing on noble heroes brought low by personal flaws, fate, and tragic
circumstances.
6. Why is Othello Important for IEB Matrics?
The Independent Examination Board (IEB) syllabus aims for you to develop strong analytical
skills, critical thinking, and deep contextual understanding. Studying Othello supports these
goals by:
• Exploring Human Psychology: Understanding jealousy, manipulation, and identity
helps you critically assess real-life situations.
• Developing Language Skills: Shakespeare’s rich language, metaphorical imagery,
and rhetorical techniques build your abilities in interpreting meaning, tone, and
character motivation.
• Understanding Context: Appreciating how historical and cultural contexts shape
literature encourages awareness of contemporary issues around race, power, and
prejudice.
4
