Transcript Othello Background Notes

Othello Background
Notes
WLC, Ferencz
Plot
• Othello is a Moor and the general of the Venetian
Army
• Othello and Desdemona fall in love
• Desdemona’s father does not approve
• Iago is jealous of Othello’s status and causes trouble
SETTING
• Venice, Italy and Cyprus, an island south of modern day
Turkey
• The play takes place
In the late 1400’s-mid 1500’s
Religion and culture
• Othello is Muslim
• Hostility about Othello’s differences in religion and
culture
• Conflict between Venetians and Turks—Venice wants
to protect itself from an invasion by the (Muslim)
Turks
Key themes
• Love
• Trust
• Jealousy
• Betrayal
• Power
• Appearance vs. Reality
What is a moor?
• A Muslim person from North Africa
• In the play, this is used/seen in a negative way
The tragic hero is . . . .
1. a man of noble stature/birth
The tragic Hero is . . .
2. good, but not perfect, and his fall results
from an “act of injustice”/error in
judgment
The tragic Hero is . . .
3. responsible for his own downfall, which
results from
A. Hubris (pride)
B. listening to the wrong people
C. not listening at all
The tragic Hero is . . .
4. not wholly deserving of his misfortune;
the punishment far exceeds the crime
The tragic Hero is . . .
5. one who gains some self-knowledge
The tragic Hero is . . .
6. defeated, but has dared greatly