1. The English Renaissance
Othello Character Bookmark

2. Each of the following statements are based on themes from the play Othello, by William Shakespeare. Decide if you agree, disagree or are unsure about each statement. Write 1-2 sentences explaining your stance. Be prepared to discuss your answers with the class.
1. Inter- racial, cultural, and/or religious marriages should be accepted by all people. Agree Disagree Not Sure 2. Justice and Revenge are the same. 3. It is okay to manipulate others in order to get what you want. 4. You should trust your long time friend over your girl/boyfriend. 5. It is more socially acceptable for men to cheat than for women.

3. English Renaissance Lasted from 1485-1625
Renaissance: means “rebirth.” It was a secular movement that encouraged voyages of discovery and human aspirations. Began in Italy in 1350 and moved toward England in the late 1400’s.
Reformation: Inspired by Martin Luther. Reformation thinkers wanted to reform the Catholic church, which was viewed as corrupt.

4. Important Dates:
1485: Henry VII becomes king of England, ending the civil war that lasted for 30 years between the Yorks and Lancasters. He became the first Tudor King.
King Henry VIII became king in He had 6 wives:
Catherine of Aragon (annulled; died while detained under guard at Kimbolton Castle);
Anne Boleyn (annulled and later executed);
Jane Seymour (died days after giving birth, widely believed to be following birth complications);
Anne of Cleves (annulled);
Catherine Howard (annulled and later executed);
Catherine Parr (widowed).

5. Henry VIII
1534: established the Protestant church (he was the boss). Was called the Church of England.
Died in 1557 from obesity (theorists think diabetes played a part in his death)
His daughter with Anne Bolyen, Elizabeth, is named Queen when she comes of age.

6. Important Dates Continued:
1558: Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England.
Reigns from
Called the most successful monarch of England, like ever!
Established England as a protestant nation
Her reign was called the “Golden Age” of peace and prosperity
1564: William Shakespeare is born.
1588: England defeats the Spanish Armada (Spain thought they could overthrow a woman…QE shows ‘em who’s boss!)
1594: Romeo and Juliet is penned
1599: Globe Theater opens

7. Queen Elizabeth Elizabeth's reign is known as the Elizabethan era
The period is famous for the flourishing of English arts and drama, led by playwrights such as William Shakespeare, and for the seafaring prowess of English adventurers such as Francis Drake.

8. Important Dates Continued:
1600: East India Trading Company is founded
1603: Elizabeth I dies (she was unmarried and had no children…called the “virgin queen”).
James I becomes king…not the best of kings! He and Parliament did not see eye to eye on how the country should be run.
1606: Guy Fawkes executed for Gunpowder plot (plot to blow up Parliament)…V for Vendetta
1620: Pilgrims land in Plymouth
1625: James I dies, thus ending the English Renaissance period in England.

9. Othello He is the play’s protagonist He is a tragic hero
He is a Moor (North African)
Powerful military leader
Free, open, trusting character which is also his tragic flaw because it leads to his downfall in the end

10. Desdemona Secretly married to Othello
She is white, which causes problems because she ran away with a black man
Very strong female character because she constantly stands up for and to Othello
She is in many ways the Damsel of the play, but is put out there as a temptress as well

11. Iago Othello’s ensign (military position under Othello)
He is the villain, or shadow, of the play
His personality is opposite of Othello; very manipulative and cunning and deceitful
He is jealous b/c Othello chose another character (Cassio) for a promotion over him
Hates women in general
Has no real motivation for being a jerk, he just is one

12. Cassio Othello’s lieutenant
He was promoted instead of Iago, so Iago hates him
He is kind of a ladies man
He is the one who is truly devoted to Othello (best friend you could say)
He would be the companion figure in the play

13. Emilia Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant Loves Desdemona
Distrusts her husband b/c he is very flirty with the ladies

14. Roderigo In love with Desdemona but she refused him Jealous of Othello
Easily manipulated by Iago to do his bidding against Othello

15. Bianca A less than reputable woman in town (local prostitute)
Cassio is her favorite customer
Definitely the temptress

16. Brabantio Desdemona’s father
Was Othello’s friend until he found out that Othello and his daughter were secretly married
Uses Othello’s race as a reason why his daughter should not marry Othello

17. Duke of Venice The authority figure in Venice
Respects Othello for his military skills
Kind of a mentor figure for Othello

18. Montano, Lodovico, and Graziano
Montano: governor before Othello
Lodovico: Barbantio’s kinsman and relays messages from Venice to Cyprus.
Graziano: another of Barbantio’s kinsman who travels with Lodovico

19. Brief Summary They play begins in Venice, Italy.
Currently at war, but trying to prevent it
Othello is the Duke’s main military leader and sends him to the Island of Cyprus to fight the invading Turks.
When the play opens, Othello is married secretly to Desdemona, against her father’s approval
Iago is jealous of Othello and Cassio, so he tries to break up his marriage and make Othello go mad by saying that Desdemona is unfaithful to Othello by sleeping with his best friend Cassio.
Chaos ensues!

20. Literary Criticisms What is it?
As readers, we naturally interpret texts using difference literary criticisms. A critical lens is just a way of judging or analyzing a work.
For example: The Lion King.

21. Historical Criticism
Examines the time period in which a work was created and how that time period may have influenced the work.
For example: “Where are you going, where have you been?”
60s-70s
Small southern town
Woodstock, Vietnam

22. Gender (Feminist) Criticism
Examines relationships between genders. It also examines the patterns of thought, behavior, values, enfranchisement (or disenfranchisement), and power between men and women.
For Example: Eaters of the Dead. How did the Viking men treat their women? What did this treatment tell you about their role in that society?

23. Cultural Criticism
Examines how differing religious beliefs, ethnicities, class identifications, political beliefs, and individual viewpoints affect how an author writes a text and how a reader interprets a text.
Marxist Criticism: Examines how all aspects of history, humanity, society and culture are based on the struggle for economic power. It is the struggle between the “haves” and the “have nots.”
For Example: The Great Gatsby.

24. Reader-response Criticism
Asks the reader to be aware of their personal attitudes, beliefs, and experiences as they read a text, and how those connections influence their understanding of the text as a whole.
For Example: “My Papa’s Waltz”

25. Mythological (Archetypal) Criticism
Examines similar patterns in the literature of widely diverse cultures.
Hero’s journey
Damsel
Temptress
Trickster
Mentor
Creation, flood, quest stories
For Example: Beowulf