OTHELLOOTHELLOHistorical contextHistorical context

GeographyGeography

OthelloOthello takes place in two countries: takes place in two countries:– VeniceVenice

– CyprusCyprus

The Republic of Venice existed from The Republic of Venice existed from 727-1797.727-1797.– It is located in present-day Italy.It is located in present-day Italy.

http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcitaly.htmhttp://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcitaly.htm

Geography (cont’d)Geography (cont’d)

Venice controlled the island of Cyprus Venice controlled the island of Cyprus from 1489-1570.from 1489-1570.– The island was a place for commerce The island was a place for commerce

and a good location for the Venetian and a good location for the Venetian fleet in the eastern part of the fleet in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.Mediterranean Sea.

Cyprus was lost to the Turks in 1571.Cyprus was lost to the Turks in 1571.

http://geography.about.com/library/cia/nccyprus.htm

Cyprus is located east of Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea. It is just south of Turkey.

h

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/eu.htm

Geography in the Play Geography in the Play OthelloOthello

Othello is asked to help defend Othello is asked to help defend Cyprus against the Ottoman Turks.Cyprus against the Ottoman Turks.

Desdemona accompanies Othello to Desdemona accompanies Othello to Cyprus.Cyprus.– It is unusual that a woman would go with It is unusual that a woman would go with

her husband on military business.her husband on military business.

Types of People in Types of People in OthelloOthello

VenetiansVenetians– Most are noblemen and women Most are noblemen and women

(Brabantio, Desdemona, Roderigo)(Brabantio, Desdemona, Roderigo)– Also, there are the nobles’ servants Also, there are the nobles’ servants

(Emilia)(Emilia)– Some are soldiers (Othello, Cassio, Some are soldiers (Othello, Cassio,

Iago)Iago)– Others are part of Venetian government Others are part of Venetian government

(the Duke)(the Duke)

Types of People (cont’d)Types of People (cont’d)

MoorsMoors–Black nomadic people of the Black nomadic people of the

northern shores of Africa, originally northern shores of Africa, originally the inhabitants of Mauretaniathe inhabitants of Mauretania

–Converted to Islam in the 8Converted to Islam in the 8thth centurycentury

Moors (cont’d)Moors (cont’d)

–Invaded Spain in 711 and Invaded Spain in 711 and dominated until the 11dominated until the 11thth century century

–had great dynasties up until 1492, had great dynasties up until 1492, when the last of their cities was when the last of their cities was conquered by Spainconquered by Spain

–virtually exterminated by Spain virtually exterminated by Spain during the Inquisition (late 1400s-during the Inquisition (late 1400s-1820)1820)

Moors (cont’d)Moors (cont’d)

Othello is a MoorOthello is a Moor– Discriminated against because of his race Discriminated against because of his race

(black) (black) – Othello has been accepted in some ways Othello has been accepted in some ways

because he is a Christian and a military because he is a Christian and a military geniusgenius

– Yet his marriage to Desdemona reflects the Yet his marriage to Desdemona reflects the prevailing view toward interracial marriage.prevailing view toward interracial marriage.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Chronological History of CyprusChronological History of Cyprus. 2001. . 2001. Ege Ege UniversitesiUniversitesi. 9 Feb. 2005 <http://bornova. 9 Feb. 2005 <http://bornova

.ege.edu.tr/~ncyprus/cyp1.html>..ege.edu.tr/~ncyprus/cyp1.html>.Derhak, Dean.Derhak, Dean. Muslim Spain and European Culture. Muslim Spain and European Culture. 2000. Muslim Spain and European Culture. 9 Feb. 2000. Muslim Spain and European Culture. 9 Feb. 2005 <http://www.xmission.com/~dderhak/2005 <http://www.xmission.com/~dderhak/

index/moors.htm>.index/moors.htm>.Shakespeare, William. Shakespeare, William. OthelloOthello. New York: Putnam, . New York: Putnam,

Inc.1963.Inc.1963.

The Venetian Period in CyprusThe Venetian Period in Cyprus. 2001. . 2001. Ege Ege UniversitesiUniversitesi. 9 Feb. 2005 <http://bornova. 9 Feb. 2005 <http://bornova

.ege.edu.tr/~ncyprus/venedik.html>..ege.edu.tr/~ncyprus/venedik.html>.