Shakespeare’s

 Watch the trailer for Othello.  What do you think this play is about?

Othello Othello is a Moor. Othello is a Venetian General. Married to Desdemona.

 Moor- used to refer to North Africans, West Africans or, even more loosely, for non- whites or Muslims of any origin.

 Read The History and Description of Africa by Leo Africanus, a primary source that existed at the time Shakespeare wrote Othello.  Identify passages that describe the traits, behaviors, and perspectives of Africans, specifically Moors.  Describe the tone the author uses, whether he is objective in his descriptions.  Describe what his purpose in writing such a text might be.

 Referred to as “devils” or “villians”  Sexually overactive  Prone to jealousy  Magical powers  Animal like force  White skin = moral purity  Black skin= moral corruption (sin)

 Moors helped England conquer Spain.  In 1601, Queen Elizabeth deported them, citing concerns about their irregular behavior and a fear that allowing them to stay in England would lead to overpopulation.  Blacks were not typically associated with slavery at that time, since the slave trade would not be fully established until the late 17th century.

 The first performance of Othello was by the King's Men on November 1, 1604, at the court of James I.  James I had a keen interest in the history of the Turks and their defeat by the Christians in the Battle of Lepantoin 1571.

 According to Venetian law, the Venetian Republic's army general was required to be a foreigner.  Venetian society would admire Othello for his valor and leadership but still recoil at the notion of his marrying into its families.

Desdemona Othello’s wife. Venetian Noble- woman.

Iago Othello’s Ensign (like a sergeant) His wife Emilia works for Desdemona

Cassio Othello’s best friend and lieutenant.

The Hierarchy  General: Othello  Lieutenant: Cassio ▪ Ensign (or Ancient): Iago

Roderigo Venetian Gentleman

 Shakespeare's principal source for the plot was a short story by the Italian writer Cinthio Giambattista Giraldi ( ), who included it in a collection of 100 domestic stories titled Hecatommithi, published in Venice in 1566.

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