Othello by: William Shakespeare Othello by: William Shakespeare *Background Information* *Background Information* Miss Amorin Miss Amorin

Author- William Shakespeare (April 23, April 23, 1616) from England (April 23, April 23, 1616) from England The most famous writer in all of English literature. The most famous writer in all of English literature. He wrote 37 plays (tragedies and comedies) and 154 sonnets. He wrote 37 plays (tragedies and comedies) and 154 sonnets. Most famous works are: Most famous works are: - Othello - Hamlet - King Lear - A Taming of the Shrew

Othello, The Moor of Venice (Pre-reading of play) Written in 1603 or Written in 1603 or TRAGEDY- a type of play that ends in a disastrous manner, usually with the death or ruin of multiple characters. TRAGEDY- a type of play that ends in a disastrous manner, usually with the death or ruin of multiple characters. Protagonist- main character of a literary work that is involved in central conflict of story- usually heroic. Protagonist- main character of a literary work that is involved in central conflict of story- usually heroic. In a tragedy, the protagonist often becomes a “tragic hero.” The tragic hero is well liked and valiant but has a character flaw that brings him/ her to ruin. In a tragedy, the protagonist often becomes a “tragic hero.” The tragic hero is well liked and valiant but has a character flaw that brings him/ her to ruin. Antagonist- the force working against the protagonist (can be another character, society, nature, or internal force). Antagonist- the force working against the protagonist (can be another character, society, nature, or internal force).

Setting- Venice, Italy Characters’ names are all Italian. The people living in Venice, Italy were known as ‘Venetians’. Characters’ names are all Italian. The people living in Venice, Italy were known as ‘Venetians’. The majority of the Italians practiced Catholicism. The majority of the Italians practiced Catholicism. First Act of play takes place in Venice First Act of play takes place in Venice Acts II, III, IV, and V take place in Cyprus- an island off of Greece Acts II, III, IV, and V take place in Cyprus- an island off of Greece

Seven Deadly Sins Lust (extreme desire Lust (extreme desire Jealousy (envy) Jealousy (envy) Gluttony (over indulgence) Gluttony (over indulgence) Greed Greed Anger Anger Pride Pride Sloth (extreme laziness) Sloth (extreme laziness)

Othello themes Outsider/ Prejudice Outsider/ Prejudice Love Love Jealousy Jealousy Appearance vs. Reality Appearance vs. Reality (‘seeing is believing’) (‘seeing is believing’) Honesty Honesty Falseness Falseness Christian values Christian values

Othello- Main character (an outsider in several ways) Known as the ‘MOOR’ –dark skinned man usually of African descent (had reputation of being ‘barbaric’- associating with witchcraft) Known as the ‘MOOR’ –dark skinned man usually of African descent (had reputation of being ‘barbaric’- associating with witchcraft) General of the Venetian Army General of the Venetian Army OUTSIDER OUTSIDER Black man (moor) in a white world Black man (moor) in a white world Muslim in a Christian world Muslim in a Christian world Army man in a civilian world Army man in a civilian world African in an Italian World African in an Italian World

Ideas to look for when reading play Light vs. Dark Light vs. Dark (order – evil/malice) (order – evil/malice) Social class Social class Gender roles Gender roles Authority Authority Historical context (battle of the Venetians with Turkey at Cyprus) Historical context (battle of the Venetians with Turkey at Cyprus)

Journal Entry What would you do if your boss at work promoted another employee to a higher position (better job, more money, hours) over you, even though you were more qualified for the job (more experience, been at the business/company for longer, better suited for position)? Explain how you would react and what you would do. What would you do if your boss at work promoted another employee to a higher position (better job, more money, hours) over you, even though you were more qualified for the job (more experience, been at the business/company for longer, better suited for position)? Explain how you would react and what you would do. Would you quit? Why or why not? Would you quit? Why or why not? Would you seek revenge? Would you seek revenge? Has a similar situation ever happened to you? Has a similar situation ever happened to you?

Opening of play Main character, Othello, who is the general of the Venetian army is good friends with soldier, Iago. Main character, Othello, who is the general of the Venetian army is good friends with soldier, Iago. There was a position open for lieutenant. Iago assumed he would get the position because he was friends with Othello and the most qualified for the job. There was a position open for lieutenant. Iago assumed he would get the position because he was friends with Othello and the most qualified for the job. Othello hired Michael Cassio, an arithmetician instead. This causes Iago to HATE Othello- seeks plan of REVENGE on him. Othello hired Michael Cassio, an arithmetician instead. This causes Iago to HATE Othello- seeks plan of REVENGE on him.

Main Characters Othello- ‘Moor’- general of Venetian Army Othello- ‘Moor’- general of Venetian Army Iago- soldier; Othello’s best friend Iago- soldier; Othello’s best friend Desdemona- wife of Othello; high social class Desdemona- wife of Othello; high social class Emilia- Iago’s wife; Desdemona’s attendant Emilia- Iago’s wife; Desdemona’s attendant Brabantio- Desdemona’s father Brabantio- Desdemona’s father Michael Cassio- lieutenant of Venetian Army Michael Cassio- lieutenant of Venetian Army Roderigo- very wealthy; Iago’s ‘right hand man’ Roderigo- very wealthy; Iago’s ‘right hand man’ Bianca- town hussy Bianca- town hussy

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