1 / 13

Shakespeare’s Othello

Shakespeare’s Othello. Setting. Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello begins in Venice During Shakespeare’s time, Venice was a cosmopolitan center of international trade Venice was more relaxed in its rules, similar to how Las Vegas is seen today. Setting, continued . . . .

milos
Download Presentation

Shakespeare’s Othello

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Shakespeare’s Othello

  2. Setting • Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello begins in Venice • During Shakespeare’s time, Venice was a cosmopolitan center of international trade • Venice was more relaxed in its rules, similar to how Las Vegas is seen today

  3. Setting, continued . . . • The play later changes its setting to Cyprus, a Republic between Greece and Turkey • In Othello, Cyprus is a stronghold in the war against the Turks. • As a setting, Cyprus also provides isolation for the characters

  4. Major Themes • Appearance versus Reality • Shakespeare often asks his audience whether or not they should accept things based on face value • Throughout the play, certain characters portray themselves as something they are not for their own gain

  5. Racial Prejudice/Otherness • Othello is a black man in a white man’s world • His ‘otherness’ is often exploited by those around him • Before we even meet Othello, he is negatively stereotyped based on his color

  6. Interpersonal Relationships • Unlike Macbeth, which focuses on relationships of power, such as who will be the next king, Othello focuses on the complexity of interpersonal relationships • Jealousy, lust and deception prove to be detrimental emotions that can destroy personal relationships

  7. Motifs • Animal imagery • This motif underscores the theme of Racial Prejudice • Othello is often referred to in animalistic terms • Other motifs to watch for are: • Dark versus Light • Demon and Monster imagery

  8. Dramatis Personae • Othello • The play’s protagonist and tragic hero • A noble moor in service of the Venetian state • In Shakespeare’s time, a Moor was the name for anyone of North African descent, usually from the Moroccan region

  9. Iago • Othello’s ancient ( a military rank below lieutenant ) • The antagonist and villain of the play • Iago professes his distaste in being passed up for the lieutenant position in the beginning of Act 1

  10. Cassio • Othello’s lieutenant • Although younger and more inexperienced than Iago, he is above his command in Othello’s army • Bianca • Cassio’s mistress in Cyprus

  11. Desdemona • Othello’s wife • Daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio Emilia • Iago ’s wife, she is distrustful of her husband • Desdemona’s attendant

  12. Roderigo • A jealous suitor of Desdemona • Gives Iago money to help him woo her from Othello

  13. Other Characters . . . • Duke of Venice • Gratiano (Brabantio’s brother) • Lodovico (Brabantio’s relative) • Mantano(Othello’s predecessor - Cyprus) • Clown ( Othello’s servant )

More Related