Overview of Othello: Moors, Venetians, and Military Roles

1. HISTORY OF OTHELLO

2. WHO WERE THE MOORS?  Moors were people of Arab descent that were Moors were people of Arab descent that were considered savage and noble at the same time. considered savage and noble at the same time.  Moors were slaves that were once sold to rich Moors were slaves that were once sold to rich and powerful families and were usually trained and powerful families and were usually trained to be soldiers. to be soldiers.

3. WHO WERE THE VENETIANS?  Natives of Venice who were rich and powerful. Natives of Venice who were rich and powerful.  The Venetians made Venice a city of high The Venetians made Venice a city of high importance to military and political officials and importance to military and political officials and also gave the natives a great pride in their also gave the natives a great pride in their background. background.

4. WHAT WERE THE MILITARY DUTIES OF RANKED OFFICERS?  General General- -The leader of the army in whatever The leader of the army in whatever city/state they serve. It usually is someone who city/state they serve. It usually is someone who has been in the army since a young age. They has been in the army since a young age. They are powerful figures in society and are well are powerful figures in society and are well respected. Controls the actions of the entire respected. Controls the actions of the entire army. army.

5.  Lieutenant Lieutenant- -In charge of soldiers under him. In charge of soldiers under him. The only person he takes orders from is the The only person he takes orders from is the General General

6. WHAT WAS THE ROLE OF WOMEN?  Women were mostly silent, they did not speak Women were mostly silent, they did not speak out much at all about their opinions, especially out much at all about their opinions, especially in public. in public.  Some women wrote, but mostly all they wrote Some women wrote, but mostly all they wrote about was prayer and meditation. The only real about was prayer and meditation. The only real chance they got to write about their feelings chance they got to write about their feelings was in poems. was in poems.

7.  Noble women had much easier lives while Noble women had much easier lives while poorer women had to work hard to keep their poorer women had to work hard to keep their husbands and families happy. husbands and families happy.

8. WHAT WAS EXPECTED OF A DAUGHTER?  Daughters were seen as property to control by Daughters were seen as property to control by their fathers. They were expected to obey their their fathers. They were expected to obey their father’s wishes and to marry by the age of father’s wishes and to marry by the age of thirteen. They were expected to preserve their thirteen. They were expected to preserve their chastity until marriage, and provide a dowry chastity until marriage, and provide a dowry when they finally did marry. when they finally did marry.

9. WHAT WAS EXPECTED OF A BRIDE?  Women was supposed to marry well, be loyal to Women was supposed to marry well, be loyal to her husband and give birth to boys. Brides were her husband and give birth to boys. Brides were supposed to be virgins before marriage. supposed to be virgins before marriage. Women were supposed had to be faithful and Women were supposed had to be faithful and respect their fathers and the family over their respect their fathers and the family over their wants and needs. wants and needs.

10. WHAT RULES FOR GETTING MARRIED EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE PLAY?  There were four basic requirements. First, the There were four basic requirements. First, the bride's family had to consent and a dowry had bride's family had to consent and a dowry had to be offered. Second, both parties had to be of to be offered. Second, both parties had to be of equal social class. The third requirement was equal social class. The third requirement was for the parties to publicly declare the wedding for the parties to publicly declare the wedding and to have witnesses. Finally, the couple had and to have witnesses. Finally, the couple had to consummate the marriage. to consummate the marriage.

11. The Characters of OTHELLO

12. THE DUKE OF VENICE  Leader of Venice

13. BRABANTIO  A senator and Desdemona’s father.

14. GRATIANO AND LODOVICO  Gratiano  An official of Venice, Brabantio’s brother.  Lodovico  An official of Venice, and a relative of Brabantio.

15. OTHELLO  A noble Moor in the Military service of Venice.

16. CASSIO  Othello’s lieutenant

17. IAGO  Othello’s enemy and his ensign. (An ensign is a person who holds a commissioned rank in the military.)

18. RODERIGO  A wealthy gentleman of Venice that is in love with Desdemona.

19. MONTANO AND THE CLOWN  Montano is the governor of Cyprus.  The Clown is Othello’s servant.

20. DESDEMONA  The daughter of Brabantio and Othello’s wife.

21. EMILIA AND BIANCA  Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s servant.  Bianca is a prostitute that is trying to get Cassio to marry her.

22. SENATORS  Characters that are in charge of making the decisions and laws.