Othello Background Information

• Drama
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Othello 

Background Information & Historical Context

Shakespeare: Background Info

Born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, William Shakespeare wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets (that we know of) in his lifetime. He is universally considered the most famous and successful playwright in history – having had his works translated into more than 180 languages and performed in almost every country in the world as ballets, modern adaptations, operas and parodies. He married farmer’s daughter Anne Hathaway at the tender age of 18, she was eight years his senior and together they had three children; Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith. Family aside, Shakespeare’s sexual orientation it is still hotly debated with many scholars agreeing on the obvious references to men in his sonnets – particularly Sonnet 20. Of course, Shakespeare’s personal life is open only to speculation – we have only the puzzle pieces of his work and the words of his peers to go on. Our constant interest and need to know more about this enigmatic figure are what has continued to fuel our passion for his plays and help us understand the thought behind them. Shakespeare spent most of his career in London away from his family – who continued to live in Stratford-upon-Avon. He co-founded the theatre company The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Shakespeare’s theatre players were very reliant on the favour of whoever the current monarch was. After Elizabeth I (a big lover of theatre and the arts) died, they were uncertain as to whether her successor James I would offer the same support. Luckily he did, and they were later promoted to The King’s Men. This would be the royal theatre company Shakespeare would write the rest of his plays for.

William Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52. Though it is uncertain exactly how he died. He finished writing his will only a short while before, in which he stated he was in good health at the time. It was thought to be a sudden death caused by a fever, and it’s debated that a habit of heavy drinking could have brought on the bout of bad health. Needless to say, Shakespeare will continue to live forever through his art, which was way ahead of its time and accessible to all – rich, poor, young and old. Shakespeare spoke for the masses as his work was concerned only with the human condition – which affects us all.  

In which year was William Shakespeare born?

1. 1464
2. 1564
3. 1664
4. 1764

How many plays and sonnets did Shakespeare write?

1. 38 plays and 154 sonnets
2. 20 plays and 200 sonnets
3. 30 plays and 150 sonnets
4. 50 plays and 100 sonnets

Who did Shakespeare marry?

1. Mary Arden
2. Elizabeth I
3. Anne Hathaway
4. Anne Boleyn

What was the name of the theatre company Shakespeare co-founded?

1. The Lord Chamberlain's Men
2. The Royal Shakespeare Company
3. The King's Men
4. The Globe Theatre Company

Historical Context (SCHEP)

When studying a play or playwright, it is essential to fully understand and appreciate the time in which it was written. To understand the play is to understand the events, current affairs and challenges of the day that may have had an impact on Shakespeare and influenced his writing. 

 Nothing in life is ever written without reason or intent.

Seventeenth Century Britain

Othello was first presented in 1604. Religion played a particularly large part in the lives of Britons during this time, way more than nowadays. Back then it was mandatory and used to create laws to govern and lead a country. The religion of the current king or queen was the religion you were forced to follow. Like Elizabeth I before him, King James was a Protestant (a Christian). It was believed that if you were a king or queen, you were a direct descendant of God; therefore, you enforced His will. Anyone not following the same religious teachings would be punished – sent to jail or sentenced to death. The work of playwrights was no different. Shakespeare and his company were ‘The King’s Men’; therefore, they were representatives of the King himself. Plays needed to gain royal approval before performance. Othello was neither a Catholic nor a Protestant, he was a Moor and an immigrant to Venice. He was an exotic and mysterious character that caught the imagination of the King and his Jacobean audiences.

What was the religion of King James?

1. Muslim
2. Protestant
3. Catholic
4. Jewish

What was the punishment for not following the same religious teachings during the time of Othello?

1. Apology letter
2. Fines
3. Community service
4. Jail or death

What was the nationality of Othello?

1. Moor
2. French
3. Italian
4. German

Ottoman–Venetian Wars: Key Facts

 In the fourth war named, ‘The Battle of Lepanto’, the Turkish army took control over Cyprus but was later defeated by the combined force of the Venetian and Spanish armies (aka The Holy League).

 Out of all seven wars, the Ottomans won five times and the Venetians won twice, though their penultimate sixth war would be a very important victory and would see the end of the Ottoman reign in the East Mediterranean.

 The Ottoman–Venetian wars lasted a total of 255 years! – with the first starting in 1463 and the last not finishing until 1718.

Race and Ethnic Minorities

In Shakespeare’s time it was strictly forbidden for a black or ethnic minority actor to perform on stage with The King’s Men, in the same way that women were not yet allowed to perform.

England was a predominantly white country without the equality, rights or diversity we enjoy today. The first men to play Othello were all of white/Caucasian descent. The very first actor to play him was Richard Burbage – who was in Shakespeare’s King’s Men theatre company. Other famous white actors to play Othello included Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton and well-known Russian theatre practitioner, actor, director and writer Stanislavski, using make-up (a practice highly frowned upon today).

Race and Ethnic Minorities

It wasn’t until 1825, (221 years later!), that Britain’s first black professional actor, Ira Aldridge, arrived from America and took London by storm. He was met with scepticism from many and attempts were even made by a racist campaign against him to stop him performing the week before he was due on as Othello, with threats that they would finish him. However, thankfully common sense prevailed and many rallied against these threats. He was Shakespeare’s first black Othello and was so good and well received, he subsequently played many of Shakespeare’s lead roles thereafter. Strangely, and in a complete contrast to blackface make-up, Ira wore white face paint to play Richard III. 

How Did Shakespeare Think About the Issue of Race? Professor Kitch's view

At the time Shakespeare was writing—the late 1500s and early 1600s—England was not yet a major global player. , said Kitch, but the expanding series of trade routes being established by merchant-adventurers like Sir John Hawkins, were laying the foundation for what would be the world’s biggest empire 150 years later. “The main empires in Shakespeare’s day were the Dutch, the Spanish, the Venetians and the Ottoman Turks. If you saw a person of color in London four hundred years ago,” said Kitch, “he was more likely to be a slave-owner than a slave.”

So while there was not established racism in the modern sense, there was a suspicion of darker skinned people—Moors from North Africa (“blackamoors” as they were often termed)—and indeed Queen Elizabeth I issued a proclamation that they be expelled. This hostility though, said Kitch, was more due to religious and political concerns than racial ones: Moors were likely to be closely associated with the Spanish empire, with whom England was at war for much of the time Shakespeare was writing.

And then there’s the issue of the slave trade, in which England participated. Sir John Hawkins was active in transporting captured slaves from West Africa to the Americas. Queen Elizabeth’s attitude towards this was conflicted, said Kitch. “On the one hand she opposed the practice of taking slaves against their will, but on the other hand she invested in Hawkins’ enterprises.”

Othello (Kitch's view)

This complicated attitude towards race was reflected, for example, in Othello, explained Kitch, the character and the play. “One of the ironies of Othello is that the main character is black, but he’s also a general defending Christianity against the Turks.” Although he’s essentially a sympathetic character, said Kitch, Othello’s skin color does become an issue through the machinations of Iago, who is Othello’s ensign but hates his boss for promoting someone else ahead of him. As Iago’s plotting turns people against Othello, the latter’s color, and a fear of miscegenation fueled by Iago and his allies, causes Othello to take on racist attributes, including irrational behavior and uncontrollable rage.

What was the focus of British Elizabethan warfare?

1. Land (Army)
2. Seas (Navy)
3. Space
4. Air (Air Force)

In which year did Britain win the war against the Spanish Armada?

1. 1788
2. 1588
3. 1488
4. 1688

Where did the Moors come from?

1. Middle East
2. South America
3. North West Africa
4. Europe

Synopsis

It is widely accepted that Othello was adapted from the story Un Capitano Moro (‘A Moorish Captain’) by Giovanni Battista Giraldi, who was a writer and poet nicknamed ‘Cinthio’. A lot of the action of this play takes place outside. We start at night in a Venetian street, not far from the home of nobleman Brabantio and his daughter Desdemona. Iago, an ensign officer to Military General Othello, stands in the middle of a disagreement with Roderigo – a rich gentleman ‘suitor’ in love with Desdemona. The pair both express a frustration and loathing towards Othello. After many years’ service, Iago learns that he has been passed up for promotion in favour of a younger, less experienced Cassio. Roderigo learns that Othello has just eloped with Desdemona. Roderigo questions whose side Iago is on and complains that Iago was supposed to help him win Desdemona’s heart; now they’re married it is too late. They decide to go to her father’s home and call up to his balcony to wake him. He is very displeased to hear of the news that Desdemona has gone and sends his guards out to find Othello. Brabantio becomes an unknowing associate in Iago’s plan to bring down Othello. So as not to blow his cover, Iago returns to Othello’s side behaving as if he were none the wiser.  

Meanwhile, Othello receives word from his new lieutenant, Cassio, that he has been summoned by the Duke to help fight a battle against the invading Turkish army, in Cyprus. Brabantio plans to take his men to confront Othello and accuse him of witchcraft at the Duke’s court. However, Brabantio’s intentions are quashed when praise is given to Othello by the Duke for the outstanding general and fighter that he is. Othello takes the opportunity to defend himself with the truth that Desdemona fell for him naturally, after hearing his stories of war and travel, not with witchcraft. Desdemona steps out into the room to support her new husband and confirm to her father that her allegiance is now with Othello.

While Othello is away, news gets out that the Turkish fleet has been wrecked in a storm. Cassio arrives on the island of Cyprus unharmed, followed by Iago and his wife Emilia (maid and friend to Desdemona), Roderigo and Desdemona on the next ship. Othello greets them and they all plan to celebrate victory and Cyprus’s safety that evening. Roderigo continues to complain that there is no chance of breaking up Othello’s marriage, Iago assures his that Desdemona will likely soon get bored and look elsewhere for satisfaction. (This is, of course, entirely false; Desdemona truly loves Othello and wants no other). Iago starts to weave his web of deceit by planting ideas in Rodrigo’s head to use him as his instrument. Roderigo is gullible, unintelligent and blinded by his infatuation, so is easily manipulated.

Iago acts as counsel and friend to Roderigo and advises him that his next big threat in the fight for Desdemona’s heart is Cassio and that he must disgrace him by starting a fight at the evening’s celebrations. Of course, this is for Iago’s own benefit – he wants to see his new superior demoted. Iago addresses the audience with each step of his plan to ruin Othello. At the party, Iago feigns friendship with Cassio and gets him drunk – a man who swore never to drink for fear of what it does to him. Roderigo provokes Cassio and, of course, a fight breaks out. Cassio, usually well behaved, ends up stabbing an intervening governor in a drunken rage and the alarm is raised. When Othello appears from his bedchamber and demands to know what happened, Iago states that he ‘would not wish to get his friend in trouble’ but does, in fact, relay all the details. Cassio, ashamed, is stripped of his new title and expresses his upset to Iago – who, of course, offers his counsel.  

He suggests that while Othello is too angry, Cassio may be best appealing to Desdemona to try and get back his position and that Othello may listen if it comes from his wife. Thus, the next step of Iago’s plot begins. In a soliloquy to the audience, he explains his plan to frame Cassio and Desdemona as lovers. A plausible idea, given their sneaking around to discuss Cassio getting his job back. Iago distracts Othello so Cassio can talk to Desdemona. She is sympathetic to his mistake and assures him she will do what she can to help. A planned misunderstanding occurs when Iago leads Othello back to his wife just in time to see Cassio, very embarrassed, skulk away without a word. Iago insinuates that he cannot believe that this strange and shifty behaviour is due to guilt. And so the seed of guilt is planted in Othello’s mind. When Othello becomes increasingly bad tempered and subdued, Iago cements this thought of guilt with a suggestion that Cassio and Desdemona may be having an affair. When Desdemona then tries to state Cassio’s case as promised and pleads for his forgiveness, Othello is angered all the more and is then convinced of her unfaithfulness.  

Iago asks his wife Emilia to take one of Desdemona’s embroidered handkerchiefs. She does so, but doesn’t understand why and Iago does not explain. He then proceeds to plant it in Cassio’s room to ‘prove’ their affair. Iago then tells Othello that he has seen Cassio wipe his beard with the same handkerchief that Othello had given Desdemona. Incensed, Othello demands that Desdemona produce the handkerchief. When she can’t find it and continues to plead with Othello for Cassio’s job, he is driven further into madness and jealousy. Meanwhile, Cassio muses over the strange garment found in his room and shows it to his prostitute companion, Bianca.  

Iago sets up a meeting for Othello and Cassio. He asks Othello to hide nearby (out of earshot) so Iago can confront Cassio and get information about the ‘affair’. What Othello doesn’t know is that Iago is in fact asking Cassio about his companion Bianca, causing him to laugh aloud and react accordingly, confirming Othello’s suspicions. Shortly after, Desdemona and a nobleman friend of her father’s, Lodovico, enter. He has a letter from Venice calling Othello home after his distracted behaviour had begun to affect his work. Distraught at the news, Othello lashes out and strikes Desdemona before storming out.  

That night, Othello confronts Desdemona and calls her a whore. She protests and tries wholeheartedly to argue her innocence, but Othello simply tells her to wait for him in bed, and to make sure she is alone. During this time, Iago takes measures to reassure an unconvinced Roderigo that everything is going to plan and that in order to secure a means to Desdemona, he needs to first kill Cassio and get him out of the equation. What Iago really intends is to get rid of Roderigo by sending him into harm’s way. He vigorously suggests that Roderigo take Cassio by surprise and attack him; however, this backfires and it is Roderigo that gets hurt by Cassio. When everyone enters to see the commotion, Iago pretends to defend Cassio as his ‘friend’ (in Othello’s absence) and finishes Roderigo off.  

While this commotion ensues, we see the start of the final scene, in Othello and Desdemona’s bedchamber. As he stands over her, he smothers her. She again, tries one last time to convince him she is innocent but he does not listen and instead steals her last breaths from her. Emilia enters all of a sudden with news of Roderigo’s death and sees Desdemona dying. When questioned, Othello confirms that he has murdered his wife for the infidelity that Iago had brought to his attention. Iago enters soon after with Brabantio’s noblemen and tries to silence Emilia as she realises what Iago has done. Emilia flies into a rage at how stupid and gullible Othello has been and tells him everything she knows about the handkerchief that Iago asked her to steal that was not proof of an affair, but was planted to frame the pair.  

Othello is shocked and heartbroken. He tries to attack and kill Iago but is held back. He manages to wound Iago with a dagger and is quickly disarmed. Lodovico explains how Othello must return to Venice to be tried for his wife’s murder. Othello gives one last speech about how he wants to be remembered, then stabs and kills himself with another dagger hidden on his person. The play ends with a sad speech from Lodovico the noble Venetian lord, who regrets that he has the role of bringing this sad news back to Venice. He gives over Desdemona and Othello’s things to nobleman Gratiano (Desdemona’s uncle) and orders that Iago be executed.