William Shakespeare Born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon (Stratford on the Avon River) Most likely began as an actor Became and actor and playwright for the Lord Chamberlain’s Men Wrote 38 plays, including comedies, histories, and tragedies Wrote 4 lengthy poems and a sonnet cycle Died in hometown on April 16, 1616 Stratford-upon-Avon (Stratford on the Avon River) Became and actor and playwright for the Lord Chamberlain’s Men Died in hometown on April 16, 1616

Othello: A Tragedy Written in 1604 One of the major tragedies -- after Hamlet and before King Lear and Macbeth Fascination with evil; Most characters die in a tragedy Thematic Ideas… Nature of love and marriage Nature of jealousy Deception / Honesty Importance of reputation Most characters die in a tragedy Important to know 1604 as that was only 12 years before his death (considered one of his late tragedies)

Othello: Setting Late sixteenth century during the wars between Venice and Turkey. Most of play takes place in Venice, but some parts of the play are set in Cyprus. Cyprus is located east of Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea. It is just south of Turkey. In Shakespeare’s time, Venice was a major port and therefore one of the most important trading cities in the world. As a result of this, it was a city that was known for its diversity of cultures, presumably one of the reasons Shakespeare chose to set Othello and The Merchant of Venice there, as both of these plays deal heavily with race-related issues. Cyprus is located east of Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea. It is just south of Turkey. In Shakespeare’s time, Venice was a major port and therefore one of the most important trading cities in the world. As a result of this, it was a city that was known for its diversity of cultures, presumably one of the reasons Shakespeare chose to set Othello and The Merchant of Venice there, as both of these plays deal heavily with race-related issues.

Othello Terminology: Moor Othello is a moor, and he is frequently referred to as moor Moors invaded Spain and established a civilization in Andalusia (area in Spain) lasting from the 8th -- 15th centuries Due to his black decent, there is a lot of race conflicts in this play that we will encounter. Othello is accepted in some ways because he is Christian and a military genius Muslim person of Arab and Northwest African descent Term Moor comes from the Greek work mauros meaning dark or very black. In Renaissance drama, Moors often symbolized something other than human- and often, indeed, something devilish. Othello is a moor, and he is frequently referred to as moor Moors invaded Spain and established a civilization in Andalusia (area in Spain) lasting from the 8th -- 15th centuries Due to his black decent, there is a lot of race conflicts in this play that we will encounter. Othello is accepted in some ways because he is Christian and a military genius

Othello Terminology: Cuckold Any man whose wife cheated on him (without his knowledge) was known as a cuckold. The word derives from “cuckoo” – the bird known for laying their eggs in another’s nest. Cuckolds were often described as having horns – an idea from the days when a cuckold was forced to parade around his town wearing antlers as a sign of his wife’s infidelity. The word derives from “cuckoo” – the bird known for laying their eggs in another’s nest.

Othello: Iago Iago is one of Shakespeare’s most sinister villains Shakespeare contrasts Iago with Othello’s nobility and integrity. The name Iago is a shortened version of the Spanish name “Santiago” or “St James”. Saint James of Spain was also known as “St James the Moor Killer” often considered so because of the unique trust Othello puts in him, which he betrays while maintaining his reputation of honesty and dedication. which seems appropriate within the play.